Long-term durability of adhesive systems bonded to fresh amalgam

A strong durable resin bond to fresh amalgam is desired in composite-veneered amalgam restorations and in adhesive amalgam restorations. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of long-term water storage on the durability of the shear bond strength of new adhesive systems bonded to fresh amalgam. Sixty cylindrical specimens composed of equal parts of amalgam and composite, with a layer of bonding material in between, were prepared for each adhesive system: All-Bond 2, Amalgambond Plus, High-Q. Bond, and Comspan. Specimens were divided into three subgroups and immersed in saline at 37 degrees C for either 48 hours, 3 months, or 6 months. After the immersion period, specimens were thermocycled and subjected to shear bond strength testing. Shear bond strength of Comspan and High-Q-Bond adhesives did not deteriorate significantly during the 6-month experiment and maintained a mostly mixed mode of failure. All-Bond 2 and Amalgambond Plus adhesives exhibited deterioration of the shear bond strength as a function of immersion time and shifted from dominantly mixed mode of failure to totally adhesive (All-Bond 2) or mostly adhesive failure (Amalgambond Plus). Incubation in saline for long periods should be a standard test in evaluating the bond of new adhesive systems to fresh amalgam, whereas short exposure time to water might be misleading.