Factors affecting tensile bond strength of composite to dentin

Five factors which might affect the tensile bond strength of an experimental dentin bonding system to extracted human dentin were evaluated. Flat dentin surfaces of extracted human teeth were cleaned with 0.5 mol/L EDTA and pretreated with 35% glyceryl methacrylate solution. A commercial light-activated composite was then bonded using a commercial bonding agent. The five evaluated factors were: 1) embedding or not embedding the specimens in an epoxy resin, 2) thickness of the specimens, 3) crosshead speed during measurement, 4) storage time of the specimens, and 5) dentin substrate depth. Measurements were made of the bond strengths that resulted from the effects of these varied factors. These measurements were compared to a control group. Only the specimen thickness significantly affected the measured bond strength, and extremely thin specimens (about 1 mm) showed the lowest bond strength.