Effect of eugenol-containing temporary cements on bond strength of composite to enamel

The purpose of this study was to find out the degree to which eugenol-containing temporary cements or temporary filling materials affected shear bond strength of a dual-cure resin luting cement to acid-etched enamel. For this purpose 56 human caries-free third molars were embedded in acrylic resin and cross sectioned mesiodistally. One of the corresponding halves was covered with Temp-Bond (eugenol-containing, Group 1), Provicol (eugenol-free, Group 2), ZOE (Group 3), and eugenol (Group 4). The other half of each sectioned tooth was kept clean and served as a control. After 1 week the cements were removed; the pure eugenol group (Group 4) was terminated after 24 hours. Plastic cylinders were filled with Dual Cement and placed on the etched enamel and light cured. Shear bond strength data were recorded using a Zwick Universal Testing Machine, and the mode of failure was diagnosed using a light microscope. Significant differences in shear bond strength could neither be found between the treated halves and the controls nor among the four groups pretreated with eugenol-containing or eugenol-free temporary cements. Based on the results of this study, no adverse effects of eugenol on shear bond strength of a resin luting cement to enamel could be found.