Treatment of crown fractured incisors with laminate veneer restorations. An experimental study

Abstract A method is described by which crown fractured incisors are restored with cast ceramic (Dicor) laminate veneers after initial treatment with either reattachment of the original crown fragment with a dentin bonding agent, with a composite resin build-up or no treatment (i.e. the veneer alone is used to restore the incisal edge). In order to elucidate the effect of the fragment/composite-tooth bonding interface on fracture strength of the restored teeth, the fracture strengths of the various treatment groups were compared to that of intact teeth supplied with Dicor laminate veneers. In an experimental investigation using central and lateral incisors from sheep, it was found that fracture strength (16.6 ±4.2 MPa) equal to that of intact incisors (16.1 ± 2.6 MPa) could be achieved using laminate veneers made of porcelain on fractured teeth whose crown fragments were reattached using a dentin bonding agent (5). In the present investigation, using the same experimental model but using cast ceramic (Dicor) laminate veneers, the fracture strength of the restored incisors was significantly increased (21.0 ± 3.7 MPa), exceeding that of intact teeth. The fracture strength of intact teeth was also exceeded in veneered incisors which were initially restored with a conventional composite resin build-up (20.2±5.6 MPa). However, the greatest fracture strength (28.2 ±8.9 MPa) was achieved when a Dicor laminate veneer alone was used to restore the fractured ineisal edge. The strength was equivalent to that of intact teeth supplied with Dicor veneers (26.7 ± 6.3 MPa). While fracture strengths of teeth which were initially restored by fragment reattachment and then supplied with veneers exceeded that of intact teeth when veneer preparation was limited to enamel, they were reduced to the half of (hat of intact teeth (i.e. the same strength as teeth initially restored by fragment reattachment and no veneering) if the preparation extended into dentin. In the present experimental model, ii would appear that laminate veneers alone might be used to restore lost incisal edges of crown fractured anterior teeth.     

Enamel-dentin crown fractures bonded with various bonding agents

Abstract A method is described, by which the fracture strength of bonded, previously fractured incisors can be measured. The study employed incisors from sheep, which could be obtained in suitable numbers and with limited variation in size. The incisors were fractured parallel to the incisal edge. The mean fracture area + SD of central incisors was 8.45 ± 0.89 mm² and of lateral incisors 6.50 ± 0.64 mm². The enamel area constituted about 30% of the total fracture area. Acid etching of the enamel and bonding of the fractures with an unfilled resin yielded a fracture strength, which was approximately 38% of the fracture strength of fractured teeth restored with acid etching of enamel, Gluma treatment of dentin and bonding with the unfilled resin. Teeth restored in this way, but using the dentin bonding agent Tenure or Scotchbond2 instead of Gluma, exhibited mean fracture strengths which were not significantly different from that obtained when Gluma was employed as the bonding agent. The mean fracture strength by using one of the three bonding agents in combination with acid etching of enamel was about 8 MPa, which is approximately 50% of the fracture strength of intact teeth.     

Reinforcement of bonded crown fractured incisors with porcelain veneers

Abstract A method is described by which porcelain laminate veneers are used to reinforce crown-fractured incisors which have been restored by reattachment of enamel-dentin fragments using enamel etching and a dentin bonding system. In an experimental model using sheep incisors, it was found that fracture strength equal to that of intact incisors could be achieved by employing this method. This is in contrast to fracture strengths of reattached enamel-dentin tooth fragments without porcelain laminates which were only 50% of intact incisors. It is suggested that porcelain laminate veneers may be used to supplement fragment bonding, thereby enhancing dental esthetics and function.     

Treatment of crown fractured incisors with laminate veneer restorations. An experimental study.

A method is described by which crown fractured incisors are restored with cast ceramic (Dicor) laminate veneers after initial treatment with either reattachment of the original crown fragment with a dentin bonding agent, with a composite resin build-up or no treatment (i.e. the veneer alone is used to restore the incisal edge). In order to elucidate the effect of the fragment/composite-tooth bonding interface on fracture strength of the restored teeth, the fracture strengths of the various treatment groups were compared to that of intact teeth supplied with Dicor laminate veneers. In an experimental investigation using central and lateral incisors from sheep, it was found that fracture strength (16.6 +/- 4.2 MPa) equal to that of intact incisors (16.1 +/- 2.6 MPa) could be achieved using laminate veneers made of porcelain on fractured teeth whose crown fragments were reattached using a dentin bonding agent (5). In the present investigation, using the same experimental model but using cast ceramic (Dicor) laminate veneers, the fracture strength of the restored incisors was significantly increased (21.0 +/- 3.7 MPa), exceeding that of intact teeth. The fracture strength of intact teeth was also exceeded in veneered incisors which were initially restored with a conventional composite resin build-up (20.2 +/- 5.6 MPa). However, the greatest fracture strength (28.2 +/- 8.9 MPa) was achieved when a Dicor laminate veneer alone was used to restore the fractured incisal edge.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Impact strength of teeth restored by fragment-bonding

Abstract – The objective of this in vitro study was to investigate the impact strength of anterior teeth that have been fractured and restored by bonding with a dentin-bonding agent and a composite resin. Twenty sheep central incisors were divided into two groups, 10 in each. One group (intact teeth) served as the control and the teeth in the other group were fractured and then bonded with a bonding agent and a low-viscous composite resin. The specimens were tested in a modified impact-testing machine (pendulum type). The mean impact strength of the intact teeth was 30.6±2.16 KJ/m² and of the bonded teeth was 30.2±1.86 KJ/m². Statistics revealed that the two means were not significantly different. The results related well with the fracture strength obtained by loading intact and bonded teeth at constant but low speed until fracture. It was concluded that bonding fragments to the remaining tooth structure may restore the tooth to its original strength, measured at modest velocities of the applied force. In other words, reattaching the original coronal fragment of traumatised fractured anterior teeth restored with One-Step dentin bonding system and Æliteflo composite resin would withstand a second trauma to the same extent as intact teeth.     

Reinforcement of bonded crown fractured incisors with porcelain veneers.

A method is described by which porcelain laminate veneers are used to reinforce crown-fractured incisors which have been restored by reattachment of enamel-dentin fragments using enamel etching and a dentin bonding system. In an experimental model using sheep incisors, it was found that fracture strength equal to that of intact incisors could be achieved by employing this method. This is in contrast to fracture strengths of reattached enamel-dentin tooth fragments without porcelain laminates which were only 50% of intact incisors. It is suggested that porcelain laminate veneers may be used to supplement fragment bonding, thereby enhancing dental esthetics and function.     

Bonding of enamel-dentin crown fractures with GLUMA® and resin

Abstract A procedure is described whereby enamel-dentin fragments can be bonded to the remaining tooth substance. The tooth and tooth fragment are conditioned with EDTA and GLUMA® and then bonded together with a light-cured composite resin. Results based on the restoration of 76 complicated and uncomplicated crown fractures of permanent incisors with up to 2 years' observation indicate that teeth bonded with GLUMA® can withstand normal chewing forces. Long-term studies on the retention of bonded fragments, color stability and pulpal reaction to bonding are now in progress.     

Traumatic crown fractures in permanent incisors with immature roots: a follow-up study

Abstract – A follow-up study of crown fractured permanent incisors with incomplete root formation was carried out in a group of patients, aged 6–12 years, over a 5-year-period in the Dental Clinic of the University of Verona, Italy. The number of injured patients was 55, representing 84 injured incisors. All patients were followed clinically and radiographically using a standardized follow-up protocol. The most common type of trauma was fracture of enamel and dentine without pulpal exposure (80%) and the most common type of treatment was restoration with the acid-etch composite resin technique (46%). Bonding of the crown fragment was performed in 10 instances (12%). At the 5-year-control all teeth with fracture of the enamel had no pulp complications. Four of 67 teeth (6%) with fracture of the enamel and dentine without pulpal involvement showed pulp necrosis and 1 tooth showed pulp obliteration (1.5%). Eight of 14 teeth (57%) with fractures of the enamel and dentine with pulp involvement showed pulp necrosis. Aesthetically 36 of the restored teeth were deemed satisfactory (43%). In 9 teeth the bonded fragment had to be rebonded. 14 teeth were considered unsatisfactorily restored due to wear of the composite (17%). 34 restored teeth had to be retreated because of a new trauma (40%). In one tooth a previous bonded fragment had to be rebonded. These results confirmed that crown fractures without pulp involvement in permanent incisors with incomplete root formation have a low percentage of pulp complications, while 60% of the teeth with crown fractures with pulp involvement had pulp complications.     

Drying and rewetting anterior crown fragments prior to bonding

Abstract— Fractured anterior teeth can be restored by adhesive bonding of the fragment to the remaining tooth structure. This in vitro study describes the effect on fracture strength of fragments dried and rewetted for various periods of time prior to bonding. Seventy central incisors from sheep were fractured. The resulting incisal crown fragments were then stored in air at room temperature at ambient humidity (70± 16%) for 5 s, 30 min, 1 h, 3 h, 6 h, 12 h, or 24 h. The apical parts of the fractured teeth were stored in water. After storage in air each fragment was then bonded to the matching apical tooth structure with a bonding agent and a low-viscosity composite resin. After water storage for 2 days, mean fracture strength was measured. Another group of teeth comprising 40 sheep central incisors was fractured and the fragments were stored in air at room temperature for 24 h as above. The fragments were then immersed in water for 10 min, 1 h, 1 day, or 7 days, prior to bonding and measurement as described above. Statistical analysis revealed that the fracture strength of the fragment-bonded teeth was unaffected by air storage of the fragment for up to 1 h prior to bonding, after which additional drying resulted in decreased fracture strength. Fragments dried for 24 h in air and rewetted by immersion in water for at least 1 day were fragment-bonded without loss of fracture strength.     

Drying and rewetting anterior crown fragments prior to bonding.

Fractured anterior teeth can be restored by adhesive bonding of the fragment to the remaining tooth structure. This in vitro study describes the effect on fracture strength of fragments dried and rewetted for various periods of time prior to bonding. Seventy central incisors from sheep were fractured. The resulting incisal crown fragments were then stored in air at room temperature at ambient humidity (70 +/- 16%) for 5 s, 30 min, 1 h, 3 h, 6 h, 12 h, or 24 h. The apical parts of the fractured teeth were stored in water. After storage in air each fragment was then bonded to the matching apical tooth structure with a bonding agent and a low-viscosity composite resin. After water storage for 2 days, mean fracture strength was measured. Another group of teeth comprising 40 sheep central incisors was fractured and the fragments were stored in air at room temperature for 24 h as above. The fragments were then immersed in water for 10 min, 1 h, 1 day, or 7 days, prior to bonding and measurement as described above. Statistical analysis revealed that the fracture strength of the fragment-bonded teeth was unaffected by air storage of the fragment for up to 1 h prior to bonding, after which additional drying resulted in decreased fracture strength. Fragments dried for 24 h in air and rewetted by immersion in water for at least 1 day were fragment-bonded without loss of fracture strength.     

Impact strength of teeth restored by fragment-bonding

The objective of this in vitro study was to investigate the impact strength of anterior teeth that have been fractured and restored by bonding with a dentin-bonding agent and a composite resin. Twenty sheep central incisors were divided into two groups, 10 in each. One group (intact teeth) served as the control and the teeth in the other group were fractured and then bonded with a bonding agent and a low-viscous composite resin. The specimens were tested in a modified impact-testing machine (pendulum type). The mean impact strength of the intact teeth was 30.6 +/- 2.16 KJ/m2 and of the bonded teeth was 30.2 +/- 1.86 KJ/m2. Statistics revealed that the two means were not significantly different. The results related well with the fracture strength obtained by loading intact and bonded teeth at constant but low speed until fracture. It was concluded that bonding fragments to the remaining tooth structure may restore the tooth to its original strength, measured at modest velocities of the applied force. In other words, reattaching the original coronal fragment of traumatised fractured anterior teeth restored with One-Step dentin bonding system and AEliteflo composite resin would withstand a second trauma to the same extent as intact teeth.     

Effect of dentin primer on shear bond strength of composite resin to moist and dry enamel

The etched enamel-composite resin bond is the most reliable bond known to us. Moisture and dentin primers are the two most important variables that can interfere with this bond. This study investigated the effect of dentin primer on bond strengths of composite resin to moist and dry enamel. One hundred freshly extracted molar teeth were used for shear bond strength testing. The teeth were mounted in phenolic rings with an approximal enamel surface exposed. The exposed enamel surface on each tooth was flattened using 320- 400- and 600-grit silicon carbide papers and etched using 34-38% phosphoric acid gel. The teeth were then divided into 10 groups (n = 10). Four groups were assigned to each of the two dentin bonding systems, Scotchbond Multi-Purpose and OptiBond FL. Two groups were assigned to the single-bottle bonding agent (Single Bond). Each bonding system was tested on moist and dry enamel. OptiBond FL and Scotchbond MP were tested with and without the use of primer. All samples were thermocycled and tested in shear. Fracture analysis was performed using a binocular microscope. For scanning electron microscopy, approximal samples of enamel (1 mm thick) were flattened, etched, and bonded with and without primer on moist and dry enamel. A 1 mm-thick layer of Z100 was bonded to the specimens, which were then immersed in 10% HCl for 24 hours to dissolve the enamel. The specimens were viewed under a scanning electron microscope. Results indicated that the use of primer on dry enamel did not significantly affect (P > 0.05) shear bond strengths for the two bonding systems, Scotchbond MP (primed 24.10 +/- 4.83 MPa, unprimed 29.57 +/- 7.49 MPa) and OptiBond FL (primed 26.82 +/- 4.44, unprimed 25.66 +/- 2.95). However, the use of primer was found to be essential on moist enamel to obtain acceptable bond strengths with both Scotchbond MP (primed 25.61 +/- 10.29 MPa, unprimed 3.26 +/- 0.95 MPa) and OptiBond FL (primed 30.28 +/- 3.49 MPa, unprimed 8.37 +/- 3.31 MPa). Moisture on enamel did not significantly affect (P > 0.05) bond strengths for the single-bottle bonding agent, Single Bond (moist enamel 31.34 +/- 9.03 MPa, dry enamel 27.93 +/- 5.41 MPa). Fracture analysis revealed that most fractures were adhesive or mixed, with a greater percentage being cohesive for the groups with dry enamel or with primer on moist enamel. Scanning electron micrographs corroborated the shear bond strength data. The specimens without primer on moist enamel showed very poor penetration of adhesive and composite resin into the etched enamel microporosities.     

An in vivo and in vitro comparison of two dentin bonding agents.

The in vitro and in vivo shear bond strengths of two dentin bonding agents to dentin were measured by use of a goat model. The dentin was exposed in the mandibular incisors of 10 adult goats while they were maintained under general anesthesia. Separate gingival and incisal areas of dentin were isolated with Teflon tape, exposing an area 2.83 mm in diameter. GLUMA or Scotchbond II was applied to those dentin areas according to the manufacturers' directions. A column of resin was then applied over the bonding agent and light-cured. Two hours later, the animals were killed and the teeth removed. The teeth were then mounted in acrylic resin, and the resin composite tube was loaded in shear until failure on an Instron. Seven days later, the extracted teeth were re-prepared and the same bonding procedure re-applied. These teeth were placed in the Instron and loaded in shear until failure. Thirteen months later, the teeth bonded with GLUMA were re-prepared and bonded in the same manner as above. The resin composite was loaded in shear until failure. There was no significant difference between the two-hour in vivo bond strength and the seven-day or the 13-month in vitro bond strength with GLUMA. There was no significant difference between the two-hour in vivo or the seven-day in vitro bond strength for Scotchbond II. There was no significant difference between the shear bond strengths of the two dentin bonding agents.     

Evaluation of tooth‐fragment reattachment: a clinical and laboratory study

Abstract – Purpose: To evaluate the restoration of fractured teeth by reattaching tooth fragment to its tooth remnant in a group of children and adolescents, and to compare the results with those of a laboratory study. Materials and Methods: The clinical study was conducted on 43 fractured incisors: 22 uncomplicated crown fractures (Group A) and 21 complicated crown fractures (Group B). The 43 incisal fragments: 23 were kept dry for 47 h and 20 were kept wet for 24 h by the patients before they were reattached. The fragments were kept in 0.9% saline solution for 30 min before reattachment. The fragments in Group A were reattached using a dentin bonding agent, a flowable and a hybrid resin composite, whereas the fragments in Group B were reattached to the tooth remnant after a pulpotomy was performed. The laboratory study was conducted on 56 extracted incisors. Teeth were divided equally into four groups: Group I – Uncomplicated crown fracture + wet medium; Group II – Uncomplicated crown fracture + dry medium; Group III – Complicated crown fracture + wet medium, and Group IV – Complicated crown fracture + dry medium. The fragments were then reattached in a manner that was similar to that used in the clinical study. The restored teeth were then re‐fractured. All data were analyzed statistically. Results:  In the clinical study, the restored teeth were followed up for 2 years. Neither the type of trauma nor the storage medium had any significant effect on the survival, color, and bond strength of the restored teeth when assessed in the clinical and laboratory study. The color disharmony that was encountered initially in restored teeth resolved significantly on its own accord within 12 months after reattachment of the fragment. Conclusion:  Fragment reattachment can be used to treat fractured teeth successfully in children and adolescents.     

Compressive Fracture Resistance of Porcelain Laminates Bonded to Enamel or Dentin with Four Adhesive Systems

PURPOSE: To measure the compressive strength of porcelain laminates of 0.5 or 1.0 mm thickness when bonded to enamel or dentin using these resin cements: All-Bond 2 + Choice, Panavia 21, Scotchbond + Opal, and Super-Bond C&B. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The buccal and lingual aspects of human molars were sectioned to prepare specimens at least 3 x 3 x 3 mm in size. Thirty horizontally flat enamel surfaces were prepared with a diamond disc for each group using a milling machine. Ten enamel specimens were randomly selected to test the fracture strength of 0.5-mm thick porcelain laminates without resin cement, and the data were recorded for a control group. The enamel specimens of each group were divided into two subgroups of 15 specimens to bond with either 0.5- or 1.0-mm thick porcelain laminates. Four resin cements were used for bonding of individual groups. All bonded specimens were stored in 37 degrees C for 24 hours before fracture testing. The horizontally flat dentin surfaces were prepared on the fractured bonded specimens using a diamond disc for each group. Ten 0.5 mm porcelain laminates were randomly selected to test the fracture strength on dentin (control group). The bonded laminates to dentin were prepared using the same procedure as for enamel. The fracture strengths were statistically analyzed at alpha= 0.05. RESULTS: Statistically significant differences in mean fracture strengths between groups were revealed. No significant difference in fracture strengths of control specimens between enamel and dentin was found. Super-Bond C&B provided a higher fracture resistance of porcelain than the other resin cements. Increasing the thickness of porcelain laminate increased the fracture strength. The 0.5-mm thick porcelain bonded to enamel had higher fracture strength than that of 1.0-mm thick porcelain bonded to dentin when using Super-Bond C&B and Scotchbond + Opal cements. CONCLUSIONS: Bonding techniques and curing systems of resin cements influenced the fracture resistance of porcelain laminates. Dry bonding with auto-polymerization of Super-Bond C&B resin provided the highest fracture resistance of porcelain. Porcelain bonded to enamel with this resin had a much higher fracture strength than when bonded to dentin.     

Compomers, reattachment method expand restoration capabilities.

The purpose of this article is to review one new material and one new technique being used in restorative dentistry today. Compomers, new fluoride-releasing resin restorative materials, are compared to conventional glass ionomers in terms of classification, physical properties, and clinical usage. Compomers are not true glass ionomer materials since the acid/base setting reaction, charactheristic of conventional glass ionomers, does not occur. As a consequence, their physical properties of translucency, coefficient of thermal expansion, and strength more closely resemble composite resins than conventional glass ionomers. These differences in physical properties have clinical implications in their usage. In terms of new techniques, clinical and laboratory data now exist to support the method of reattachment of fractured tooth fragments using only dentin bonding agents, in cases where the tooth fragment is available. This method can restore up to 50 percent of the original strength of intact teeth. The technique advocates the use of acid etching and enamel and dentin bonding, without any tooth preparation. In vitro studies have achieved total (100 percent) restoration of intact teeth by bonding a porcelain veneer to the tooth after the reattachment.     

Crown fractures: effectiveness of current enamel-dentin adhesives in reattachment of fractured fragments.

OBJECTIVE: The introduction of the current enamel-dentin adhesives has simplified the reattachment of fractured dentinal fragments. The objective of this study was to determine the strength needed to detach coronal fragments reattached with the most recent adhesives. METHOD AND MATERIALS: A complete coronal fracture was caused on the incisal one third of 40 noncarious maxillary and mandibular lateral and central incisors. Each fractured coronal fragment was reattached to its tooth with the enamel-dentin adhesive Scotchbond MP, All-Bond 2, Dentastic, or One-Step (10 specimens each). RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference between 2 similar fourth-generation adhesives that use orthophosphoric acid as etchant (Dentastic and All-Bond 2) and a fourth-generation adhesive that uses maleic acid as etchant (Scotchbond MP). The values obtained with the fifth-generation adhesive (One-Step) were significantly inferior to those obtained with the other 3 enamel-dentin adhesives. CONCLUSION: In the reattachment of fractured tooth fragments, fourth-generation adhesives can guarantee a bonding force stronger than fifth-generation adhesives.     

Tensile bond strength of four resin luting agents bonded to bovine enamel and dentin

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: The resistance to fracture of ceramic restorations depends on adequate bonding to tooth structure. The dental substrate and the types of resin luting agents used are believed to produce variability in adhesive properties. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the tensile bond strength of 4 resin luting agents to bovine enamel and dentin. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Forty bovine incisors were embedded in acrylic resin and ground horizontally with water-cooled silicon carbide paper to expose enamel (20 teeth) and dentin at the enamel/dentin junction (20 teeth). Ten standard cone-shaped specimens with a 3-mm diameter base were prepared for each of the following resin cements: Resin Cement, Rely X ARC, Nexus, and Enforce. Five specimens of each material were bonded to enamel and the other 5 to dentin with these resin luting agents and their respective adhesive systems, according to the manufacturers' directions. After 7 days of storage in distilled water at 37 degrees C, specimens were subjected to tensile forces in a universal testing machine at a crosshead speed of 0.5 mm/min until fracture. Bond strength data were analyzed with analysis of variance for substrate and material. Means were compared with Tukey's test at the 0.05 level of significance. RESULTS: Analysis of variance disclosed that both substrate (P<.001) and material (P<.05) demonstrated statistically significant differences, but their interaction was not significant. The bond strengths (MPa) obtained for Resin Cement (11.5 +/- 3.0), Rely X ARC (11.4 +/- 3.1), Nexus (10.0 +/- 1.4), and Enforce (11.8 +/- 2.8) were statistically the same for enamel. For dentin, bond strengths (MPa) for Rely X ARC (9.6 +/- 1.8), Resin Cement (9.3 +/- 0.9), and Enforce (7.8 +/- 2.9) were significantly higher than for Nexus (3.5 +/- 0.8). Significantly higher bond strengths (MPa) were also observed for enamel (11.2 +/- 2.5) than dentin (7.5 +/- 1.6). CONCLUSION: Within the limitations of this study, tensile bond strengths of resin luting agents to enamel were higher than those to dentin, and the bond strength values of Nexus to dentin were significantly lower (P<.05) than the other cements tested.     

Fractured teeth bonded with dentin adhesives with and without unfilled resin

Fractured incisors were restored by reattaching the fragment to the remaining tooth structure. For this purpose, seven dentin adhesive systems were used with and without an unfilled resin (Heliobond^®) and the strength of the restored teeth was tested at a cross-head speed of either 1 or 500 mm/min. The hypothesis was that the strength of the reattachment would be higher when an unfilled resin was used. The dentin adhesive systems were Prime & Bond NT^® (PB), Exite^® (EX), One-Step^® (OS), PQ1^® (PQ), SingleBond^® (SB), Optibond Solo Plus^® (OS), and an experimental adhesive (GL). Statistical analysis revealed that with all adhesives except EX, a significantly greater mean fracture strength was achieved when the adhesives were used with the resin (Heliobond). Furthermore, with all adhesives except PB, there was a significantly lower mean fracture strength when tested at 500 mm/min than at 1 mm/min. All the tested adhesives except EX should be used with an unfilled resin when restoring fractured teeth by reattachment.     

Effect of tooth age on microtensile bond strength of two fluoride-releasing bonding agents

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of age of dentin and enamel on the microtensile bond strengths of a glass-ionomer based, all-in-one, single-step, self-etching adhesive system (Reactmer Bond, RB) and an antibacterial, two-step self-etching primer system (ABF Bond, ABF). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Extracted molars from 3 age groups (20 to 25, 35 to 40, and 50 to 55 years) were used. Enamel was removed from the occlusal surfaces of the teeth, and the entire flat surfaces were covered with composite resin (4 mm in height) following application of bonding agents. The bonded specimens were thinly sectioned parallel to the long axis of the tooth into 0.87 +/- 0.03 mm2 rectangular sections, resulting in 6 to 7 enamel specimens and 10 to 15 dentin specimens per tooth. The specimens were subjected to the microtensile test at a crosshead speed of 1 mm/min. The data were analyzed by Univariate ANOVA, Tukey HSD, and regression analysis. RESULTS: The bond strength of ABF to both enamel and dentin was higher than the bond strength of RB. Bond strengths of ABF to dentin were significantly higher than the bond strengths to enamel (p < 0.05). The 35- to 40-year age group of ABF showed the highest bond strength of all. In RB dentin groups, 34% of specimens showed cohesive failure in composite resin material. CONCLUSION: Bond strength values to enamel were not affected by age of teeth in either bonding system. Dentinal bond strength using ABF changed according to age of the teeth. Age did not affect bond strength values of RB to dental hard tissues. However, the high number of cohesive failures in Reactmer paste indicated low tensile strength of the material.