Effects of etchants, surface moisture, and resin composite on dentin bond strengths

This in vitro study evaluated the effects of etchant type, surface moisture, and resin composite type on the shear bond strength of dentin adhesives. Three adhesives which bond to etched dentin were used in the study: All-Bond 2, Amalgambond, and Clearfil Photo Bond. Occlusal enamel was removed from 200 human molars to expose dentin. The dentin surfaces were etched, treated with a dentin adhesive system, and bonded with resin composite. After thermocycling and storage, the composite columns were fractured from dentin using an Instron machine. Bond strengths were calculated and subjected to a statistical analysis. Etchant type, surface moisture, and resin composite type all had significant effects on dentin bond strengths. Overall, the highest bond strengths were obtained with 10/3 etchant, moist dentin, and hybrid composite. The highest bond strengths for All-Bond 2 and Amalgambond were obtained by using the manufacturer's recommended etchant, moist dentin, and a hybrid composite. The mean bond strengths for All-Bond and Amalgambond under these conditions were 22.5 and 19.0 MPa, respectively. Clearfil Photo Bond had significantly lower bond strengths, but was relatively unaffected by changes in experimental conditions.