Bonding of amalgam to dentine: microleakage and shear bond strength evaluation

This study investigates the shear bond strengths (SBS) of different products used for bonding amalgam to dentine and the marginal seal provided by these materials. The SBS test was carried out by bonding cylinders of Dispersalloy amalgam to human dentine with an intermediate layer of Amalgambond Plus, All-Bond 2, Imperva Bond/Dual or Scotch Bond Multi-Purpose was first placed. Thereafter the samples were tested to failure in the shear mode. For the microleakage test, standardized class V cavities were prepared in human molars with one cavo margin abutting enamel and another dentine/cementum. Amalgam was condensed into the cavities, pretreated with one of the products mentioned above. In addition two further groups were prepared. One receiving treatment with Polyvar varnish and the other remained untreated as the control. Microleakage was assessed with a reflecting light microscope using I.S.O. criteria and the fracture sites and marginal gaps were examined in a scanning electron microscope. Results indicate that All-Bond 2 and Amalgambond Plus induced similar SBS and Scotchbond Multi-Purpose the weakest. At both enamel and dentine/cementum junctions resin bonding agents reduced microleakage. However, this reduction was greater at the enamel interface than at the other. Varnish allowed the greatest amount of marginal leakage and leakage was similar to the untreated control. Amalgam bonding agents are more effective at preventing marginal leakage at the enamel margin than at the dentine/cementum margin. Cavity varnish is not effective in preventing microleakage around amalgam restorations. There is a correlation between shear bond strength and marginal leakage. Materials giving the highest shear bond strength also exhibited the least marginal leakage. All-Bond 2, Amalgambond Plus and Imperva Bond/Dual are recommended to improve the seal around amalgam restorations.