Adhesion of a compomer to dental structures

The objective of this study was to evaluate the bond strength of a compomer to dental enamel, dentin, and cementum. Flat surfaces of these tissues were obtained from recently extracted human teeth. The different substrates were either treated with PSA (a primer and adhesive) or acid etched (35% phosphoric acid gel) and treated with PSA. Cylindrical specimens of compomer were then bonded to the substrates. Shear bond strength was determined after a 24-hour immersion in 37 degrees C water. Significant differences were found between both treatments on enamel, while none were found on dentin or cementum. The use of acid etchant on enamel as a surface-conditioning step previous to priming with PSA allowed a better bond between Dyract compomer and that substrate; acid etching was not particularly needed on dentin and cementum.