Improvement of the bond strength of 4-META/MMA-TBB resin to collagen-depleted dentin

It has been reported that the tensile bond strength between the 4-META/MMA-TBB resin and dentin pretreated with 10% citric/3% ferric chloride solution decreased after immersion in water for 2 years. The current study investigated the effect of an experimental dentin conditioner on the bonding of 4-META/MMA-TBB resin to dentin after thermocycling. The experimental conditioner was an aqueous solution of 10% ascorbic acid and 5% ferric chloride (Exp). Human teeth were prepared to expose flat dentin surfaces. These were treated sequentially with 40% phosphoric acid, 10% sodium hypochlorite, and the experimental conditioner. A commercially available dentin conditioner, an aqueous solution of 10% citric/3% ferric chloride (10-3) was used for a control group. Stainless steel rods were bonded to the pretreated dentin surfaces with the use of the 4-META/MMA-TBB resin. Tensile bond strengths were determined after 0, 5,000, 10,000, 20,000 themocycles. All data were analyzed by ANOVA, and differences among groups were analyzed by Duncan's new multiple range test (n = 10, p < 0.05). The experimental group showed no significant decrease in bond strength through 20,000 thermocycles, while the control group exhibited significant decrease after 10,000 thermocycles. Mean bond strength of the experimental groups were significantly higher than those of the control group at both 10,000 and 20,000 thermocycles. A hybrid layer could not be identified in SEM micrographs of the experimental groups. 10-3-conditioned specimen SEMs displayed crack formation between the adhesive resin and a hybrid layer. The experimental dentin pretreatment improved the bond strength of a 4-META/MMA-TBB resin to human dentin compared to 10-3 treatment after thermocycling.     

Influence of dentin substrates to simplify wet-bonding: a leakage-free and reliable tensile strength interface for long-lasting restorations

The wet-bonding procedure can be simplified by eliminating the primer. An aqueous mixture of 1% citric acid and 1% ferric chloride (1-1) was hypothesized as providing an easier dehydratable thinner substrate to which 4-META/MMA-TBB resin can adhere reliably. The 1-1 was applied for 10 s and rinsed off with water for 10 s. Demineralized dentin under four conditions was prepared before bonding to PMMA rod using 4-META/MMA-TBB resin: air-dried 10 s (D-NP); air-dried 10 s, primed 60 s with 5% 4-META in acetone (D-P); blotted dry 10 s (W-NP); blotted dry 10 s, primed 60 s (W-P). The tensile strengths (MPa) using mini-dumbbell specimens were 4.0 ± 2.4 for D-NP, 10.6 ± 5.4 for D-P, 38.3 ± 4.4 for W-NP, and 42.9 ± 3.3 for W-P. There was no significant difference between W-NP and W-P with cohesive failure in the dentin and the cured resin. In the wet groups, the hybridized dentin was stable against both HCl and NaOCl challenges. TEM examination and a leakage tests confirmed a perfect seal with a leakage-free interface of W-NP. These results suggest that this primer-less wet-bonding is promising method to protect the underlying intact dentin and pulp, thus providing long-lasting dental treatment.     

Hybrid layer seals the cementum/4-META/MMA-TBB resin interface

Although 4-META/MMA-TBB resin has adhesive properties to dentin, and has been clinically used for the bonding treatment of vertically fractured roots and apicoectomy, there has not been any investigation on the adhesion of 4-META/MMA-TBB resin to cementum. The purpose of this in vitro study was to evaluate the bonding and the sealing ability of 4-META/MMA-TBB resin to cementum. Bovine root cementum and dentin surfaces were treated with a citric acid and ferric chloride solution, and the 4-META/MMA-TBB resin was applied on the treated surfaces before testing. The microtensile bond strength and the leakage levels obtained for the cementum were almost equal to those for the dentin. In SEM and TEM observations, a hybrid layer approximately 2-3 microm in thickness was observed at the interface between the resin and the cementum. It is concluded that 4-META/MMA-TBB resin adhered to cementum via a hybrid layer on cementum, as previously reported for dentin.     

Bonded interface between a self-curing resin and dentin primed with a metalloprotein

The purpose of this study was to investigate adhesive bonding between a self-curing luting agent and dentin conditioned with a metalloprotein in terms of resin-dentin hybridization and interfacial polymerization. Of the six experimental primers containing bovine heart cytochrome c (BHCC), three contained 2-hydroxyethylmethacrylate (HEMA) and the remaining three did not. The self-curing luting agent used consisted of methyl methacrylate (MMA) and tri-n-butylborane (TBB) with or without 4-methacryloyloxyethyl trimellitate anhydride (4-META). Bovine dentin surfaces were etched with 10wt% phosphoric acid, primed, and then bonded with stainless steel rods. After 24 h of water storage, the optimum bond strength was obtained with the 4-META/MMA-TBB luting agent and the aqueous primer contained 0.1 micromol/g BHCC and 35wt% HEMA. Microscopic observations showed continuity among the luting agent, the hybridized dentin, and the dentin substrate. A model experiment suggested that BHCC accelerates the polymerization of the 4-META/MMA/HEMA mixture from the hybridized dentin.     

Improved wet bonding of methyl methacrylate-tri-n-butylborane resin to dentin etched with ten percent phosphoric acid in the presence of ferric ions

The objective of this study was to determine the influence of dissolved dentinal substances in demineralized dentin on the hybridization of resin for bonding to dentin. It was hypothesized that these substances, including polyelectrolytes, significantly change the substrates, which could then be assessed by the addition of Na(+), Ca(2+), or Fe(3+) in 10% phosphoric acid. Bovine dentin specimens were etched for 10 s with a solution of 10% phosphoric acid (control) or of 22.0 mM dissolved sodium chloride (10P-Na), calcium chloride (10P-Ca), or ferric chloride (10P-Fe). The specimens were then rinsed, blot-dried, and primed three times with 5% 4-methacryloyloxyethyl trimellitate anhydride in acetone for 60 s. Methyl methacrylate-tri-n-butylborane resin was then applied. The tensile bond strength of each of the dumbbell-shaped specimens was then measured. The fractured surfaces and modified cross-sections were examined by scanning electron microscopy. The cross-sections were soaked in 6N HCl for 10 s and then in 1% sodium hypochlorite for 30 min to determine the resin content in the hybridized specimens. Shrinkage of the demineralized dentins upon drying was assessed by atomic force microscopy. The tensile bond strengths were 10.8 +/- 4.5 (control), 15.0 +/- 7.0 (10P-Na), 19.3 +/- 5.5 (10P-Ca), and 27.8 +/- 8.1 (10P-Fe) MPa. The atomic force microscopy studies showed that Fe(3+) minimized the shrinkage by drying for 10 s but Ca(2+) and Na(+) did not decrease the shrinkage the same as the control. The results support the hypothesis that the monomer permeability of wet demineralized dentin is effectively improved by dissolving ferric ions in the phosphoric acid, resulting in a greater bond strength and higher resin content in the hybridized dentin. The dissolved dentinal substances, including the polyelectrolytes, had a significant influence on the characteristics of the demineralized dentin, changing the degree of hybridization and bonding.     

Microperoxidase primer promotes adhesion of butylborane-polymerized resin to dentin

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of dentin primers containing microperoxidase (MP-11) with 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) on the bond strength between a tri-n-butylborane-initiated self-polymerizing resin and dentin. Bovine dentin surfaces were etched with 10 wt % phosphoric acid, primed, and then bonded with stainless steel rods. Tensile bond strength after 24 h of storage in water was significantly influenced by both MP-11 and HEMA. Groups with no MP-11 showed the lowest values. Without HEMA, the bond strengths of groups using 0.01, 0.1, and 1.0 micromol/g MP-11 were statistically identical, and also greater than that of the no MP-11 control. In the presence of HEMA, the bond strength was significantly enhanced with an increasing concentration of MP-11. The highest bond strength of 29.0 MPa was obtained with aqueous HEMA primer, containing 1.0 micromol/g MP-11. Microscopic observation showed the formation of a hybrid layer at the bonded interface. Polymerization of the resin was significantly accelerated with the MP-11 primer. In conclusion, MP-11 has a potential for adhesive bonding promoter between the resin and the demineralized dentin surface.     

Improved photochemical bonding of composites to dentin using 4-methacryloxyethyl trimellitate anhydride

The main objective was to evaluate the use of 4-methacryloxyethyl trimellitate anhydride (4-META) to improve bonding of composite materials to dentin. Bowen's resin, containing camphoroquinone, was polymerized by exposure to visible light. In composites, made with a silanated silicate, inclusion of 4-META (3%) had little effect in increasing mechanical strength or adhesion to bovine teeth. However, direct application of 4-META via acetone solution was found to be an effective way of increasing tensile adhesive strength; by 240% to dentin (to 7.2 MPa) and by 160% to enamel (to 10.8 MPa). Applying the experience mentioned above, 4-META was used to bond a proprietary photocuring microfilled composite material to Class V cavities in freshly extracted human teeth. After thermal cycling between water baths held at 5 degrees C and 60 degrees C, all dentin restorations without 4-META failed, as judged by marginal leakage of a dyestuff. In contrast, using 4-META there was no leakage in 9 out of 10 cases. In restorations involving enamel, 4-META failed to prevent marginal leakage at the enamel margins but did prevent penetration along the dentin/composite interface. It is concluded that 4-META shows great promise for preventing marginal leakage at dentin/composite interfaces.     

Effects of sodium hypochlorite gel and sodium hypochlorite solution on dentin bond strength

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of 10% NaOCl gel and 10% NaOCl solution on dentin bond strengths of four adhesive systems. One hundred eighty bovine incisors were ground to achieve a flat polished surface, then divided into 12 groups: Gluma One Bond [G1-control; G2-NaOCl solution; G3-NaOCl gel]; Prime & Bond 2.1 [G4-control; G5-NaOCl solution; G6-NaOCl gel]; Single Bond [G7-control; G8-NaOCl solution; G9-NaOCl gel]; Prime & Bond NT [G10-control; G11-NaOCl solution; G12-NaOCl gel]. Dentin was etched, rinsed, and blot dried. For the experimental groups, after acid etching, 10% NaOCl solution or 10% NaOCl gel was applied for 60 s, rinsed, and blot dried. Composite resin was inserted and light cured. Shear bond strengths were tested with a crosshead speed of 0.5 mm/min. The mean values MPa (SD) were analyzed with two-way ANOVA and Tukey's tests (alpha < 0.01). Ten percent NaOCl solution significantly increased Gluma One Bond strength. No effect was observed for the other adhesives. The 10% NaOCl gel did not affect bond strengths. Ten percent NaOCl gel was less effective on collagen removal as compared to 10% NaOCl solution. The influence of collagen removal on bond strength is dependent on adhesive system, where both the solvent and the monomer can influence the results.     

A study on cytochrome c oxidoreductase for bonding a tri-n-butylborane-initiated luting agent to dentin.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of cytochrome c, an oxidoreductase, in terms of initiation of polymerization in dentin bonding. The efficacy of experimental dentin primers was evaluated via the bonding of a luting agent to dentin. The eight primers evaluated were cytochrome c aqueous solutions, four with 35 wt% 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) and four without. The concentrations of cytochrome c in the primers were 0, 0.01, 0.1, and 1[corrected] micromol/g. The luting agent (Super-Bond C&B) consisted of methyl methacrylate (MMA), 4-methacryloyloxyethyl trimellitate anhydride (4-META), and tri-n-butylborane (TBB) initiator. Bovine dentin surfaces were flattened, etched with an aqueous solution of 10 wt% phosphoric acid, primed, and then bonded with stainless steel rods. After 1-day immersion in water, tensile testing revealed that the bond strength was influenced by the application of cytochrome c and HEMA. The maximum bond strength of 24.6 MPa was recorded with aqueous HEMA primer containing 10 micromol/g cytochrome c. This bonding technique, combining oxidoreductase with Super-Bond C&B, may potentially be applied for seating resin-bonded restorations.     

Immunohistochemical study of dental pulp applied with 4-META/MMA-TBB adhesive resin after pulpotomy

The purpose of this study was to investigate nerve regeneration and proliferative activity in amputated pulp tissue after the application of 4-META/MMA-TBB adhesive resin (4-META resin). Calcium hydroxide was used as a control material. At 3 days, fibroblast-like cells were positive for proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) in both 4-META resin- and calcium hydroxide-treated groups and were located mainly within 0.5 mm from the cut surface. Only a few fragmented neurofilament protein (NFP)-positive nerve fibers were observed in this area. At 7 and 14 days, the number of PCNA-positive cells had gradually decreased and regenerated NFP-positive nerve fibers were observed close to the cut surface of the pulp in both groups. At 21 days in the experimental group, several PCNA-positive cells were still found in the area 0.5 mm from the cut surface, and NFP-positive nerve fibers were detected about 0.15-;0.2 mm from the cut surface. In contrast, a dentin bridge was produced under the necrotic layer at 21 days in the control group. PCNA-positive cells were not found underneath the dentin bridge, but NFP-positive nerve fibers had regenerated close to it. These results suggest that although cell differentiation and nerve regeneration are delayed, wound healing occurred even after the application of 4-META resin to exposed pulp surface the same as calcium hydroxide application.     

Effect of self-etching primers containing N-acryloyl aspartic acid on dentin adhesion

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of aspartic acid derivative, N-acryloyl aspartic acid (N-AAsp) when used as a self-etching primer prior to the application of a commercial bonding agent containing 10-methacryloxydecyl dihydrogen phosphate. N-AAsp was synthesized by the reaction of DL-aspartic acid and acryloyl chloride. N-AAsp can be dissolved in water up to 25 wt % and can adequately remove the smear layer. When 20 wt % N-AAsp was applied as a self-etching primer, the tensile bonding strength of resin composite to dentin doubled to 16.0 MPa compared with that of the nonetching group or the 40 wt % H(3)PO(4) etching/water rinse group. Scanning electron microscopic observations revealed that the formation of the hybrid layer at the interface between the resin composite and dentin and the thickness of the hybrid layer increased with N-AAsp concentration. The hybrid layer in the specimens treated with 20 wt % N-AAsp aqueous solution presented a uniform structure, whereas those treated with 5 wt % N-AAsp solution showed a porous structure. We conclude that 20 wt % N-AAsp aqueous solution has good potential value as a self-etching primer.     

Influence of dentinal polyelectrolytes on wet demineralized dentin,a bonding substrate

The objective of this study was to show the influence of dissolved dentinal polyelectrolytes on the characteristics of dentin (bonding substrate) demineralized by citric acid in the absence or presence of ferric chloride. The demineralizing agent was an aqueous mixture of 0, 1, 3, or 10% ferric chloride in 10% citric acid (10-0, 10-1, 10-3, 10-10, respectively). The hypothesis was that the concentration of dissolved dentinal noncollagenous substances, mainly polyelectrolytes soluble in water, must be decreased by their aggregation with ferric ions, which changes the characteristics of demineralized dentin, the rates of demineralization, and dehydration. Cervical bovine dentin was prepared in 3 x 2 x 2-mm blocks, each weighing 20.0 +/- 0.5 mg. The rate of demineralization was investigated by measuring the weight loss resulting from demineralization by immersion in 10 mL of conditioner at 2-h intervals. The dehydration rate of wet demineralized dentin was determined using two methods: (1) weight loss in a desiccator under 263 Pa pressure and (2) differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Twenty, 12, 8, and 4 h were required to complete demineralization of the blocks with the 10-0, 10-1, 10-3, and 10-10 solutions, respectively. The 10-10 wet demineralized dentin showed the highest rate of dehydration, followed in descending order by the 10-3, 10-1, and 10-0 specimens. Ferric chloride in dentin conditioners provided both a higher rate of dentin demineralization and a higher dehydration rate of wet demineralized dentin. These results suggest that in the presence of ferric chloride, a decreasing amount of dissolved polyelectrolytes aggregated with ferric ions in the substrates may increase the permeability of dentin to water and citric acid. Improvement of monomer permeability is essential to the preparation of good hybridized dentin, providing a more stable and reliable bonding and also protecting the dentin and pulp from infection. A further study of bonding substrates is required in order to understand the role of hybridized dentin in improved dental treatment.     

Effect of sodium hypochlorite on dentin bonding with a polyalkenoic acid-containing adhesive system

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) treatment on dentin bonding by means of contact angle (CA), shear bond strength (SBS), and microleakage (ML) measurements. Ultrastructure and nanoleakage (NL) of the interfaces were examined by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). For CA, SBS, and TEM evaluation, human molars were sectioned to expose dentin surfaces and were either acid-etched (35% H3PO4) or further treated with 5% NaOCl for 2 min before the application of Single Bond adhesive. CAs were measured using the Axisymmetric Drop Shape Analysis technique. The Watanabe testing assembly was used for SBS evaluation. ML was assessed by a dye penetration method. NL was examined using a silver-staining technique. The results showed that CA values decreased after acid etching and even more after NaOCl treatment. NaOCl treatment produced lower SBS than acid-etched dentin. Both ML values and NL manifestations were similar for NaOCl-treated and acid-etched dentin. NaOCl did not completely remove the collagen matrix. NL was manifested along the base of hybrid layers and within the polyalkenoic acid copolymer in both groups. Adverse chemical interactions could have occurred between the remnant collagen matrix and/or mineralized dentin after NaOCl treatment. There is no additional advantage in using NaOCl treatment with this adhesive.     

The effect of NaOCl dentin treatment on nanoleakage formation

The term "nanoleakage" has been introduced to explain a penetration pathway within hybrid layers of the dentin-composite junction in the absence of gap formation. This phenomenon is argued in the literature to be a risk factor for the quality of the dentin bonding. NaOCl is a well-known agent used to remove collagen layers that are exposed after acid etching. The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of an NaOCl treatment of dentin to the formation of nanoleakage. Class V cavities were prepared in 40 human molars with the cervical margins located in dentin. After etching with phosphoric acid, 20 samples were treated with 10% NaOCl for 60 s, and 20 samples were used as control. Composite restorations were placed using two different bonding systems. The specimen were exposed in silver nitrate solution and then in developer. After embedding, the teeth were sectioned, dried, coated with gold, and analyzed by SEM. For all the specimen in the control group, backscatter images indicated a silver penetration within the hybrid layer. There was no penetration of silver detectable in the teeth that were treated with NaOCl. We conclude that the removal of the collagen layer by using NaOCl avoids the formation of nanoleakages with the materials tested.     

Nanoleakage and microshear bond strength in deproteinized human dentin

This study evaluated the influence of dentin deproteinization with NaOCl on the microshear bond strength (microSBS) and the nanoleakage patterns of three dentin bonding systems (DBS). Occlusal dentin surfaces, obtained from extracted noncarious human molars, were divided into two experimental groups, according to dentin surface treatment: Group I-37% H(3)PO(4)/15s and Group II-37% H(3)PO(4)/15s + 10% NaOCl/1 min. The dentin surfaces were bonded with one of the following DBS: Scotchbond Multipurpose-SBMP, Prime & Bond NT-PB and Clearfil SE Bond-SE. After 1 week storage in water at 37 degrees C, the specimens were subjected to the microSBS test. The data were analyzed by two-way ANOVA and Student-Newman-Keuls' test (p = 0.05). The nanoleakage was evaluated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) in backscattered electron imaging regime. No significant difference in microSBS between dentin treatments was found for SBMP. For PB, microSBS increased after NaOCl dentin treatment. SE showed a reduction in microSBS in deproteinized specimens. SEM analysis showed different nanoleakage patterns for each DBS. Irrespective of dentin treatments, all SBMP specimens showed nanoleakage. SE did not show nanoleakage with the two dentin treatments. PB showed nanoleakage within the hybrid layer only in acid-etched specimens. The influence of dentin deproteinization was dependent on the dentin bonding system formulation.     

Adhesive bone cement both to bone and metals: 4-META in MMA initiated with tri-n-butyl borane

In order to develop a new bone cement which is expected to prevent loosening of a prosthesis by better adhesion, the cement composed of 4-methacryloyloxyethyl trimellitate anhydride (4-META) and methyl methacrylate (MMA) as monomers and tri-n-butyl borane (TBB) as an initiator was evaluated. The tensile bond strength between bone and metals adhered with 4-META/MMA-TBB cement was above 7 MPa. The values were higher than that with conventional bone cement (1 MPa) or MMA-TBB cement (2 MPa). Therefore, 4-META was effective for improving adhesion. When cohesive failure of the bone was observed with the scanning electron micrography after the tensile test, fracture occurred on the bone side below the interface between the bone and the 4-META/MMA-TBB cement. This result showed that the cement adhered tightly to both the bone and metals. Thus, it is concluded that the 4-META/MMA-TBB cement is useful as an adhesive bone cement.     

Nanolayering of phosphoric acid ester monomer on enamel and dentin

Following the "adhesion-decalcification" concept, specific functional monomers possess the capacity to primary chemically interact with hydroxyapatite (HAp). Such ionic bonding with synthetic HAp has been demonstrated for 10-methacryloyloxydecyl dihydrogen phosphate (10-MDP), manifest as self-assembled "nanolayering". In continuation of that basic research this study aimed to explore whether nanolayering also occurs on enamel and dentin when a 10-MDP primer is applied following a common clinical application protocol. Therefore, the interaction of an experimental 10-MDP primer and a control, commercially available, 10-MDP-based primer (Clearfil SE Bond primer (C-SE), Kuraray) with enamel and dentin was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), complemented with transmission electron microscopy interfacial ultrastructural data upon their reaction with enamel and dentin. In addition, XRD was used to study the effect of the concentration of 10-MDP on nanolayering on dentin. Finally, the stability of the nanolayers was determined by measuring the bond strength to enamel and dentin when a photoinitiator was added to the experimental primer or when interfacial polymerization depended solely on the photoinitiator supplied with the subsequently applied adhesive resin. XRD confirmed nanolayering on enamel and dentin, which was significantly greater on dentin than on enamel, and also when the surface was actively rubbed with the primer. Nanolayering was also proportional to the concentration of 10-MDP in the primer. Finally, the experimental primer needed the photoinitiator to obtain a tensile bond strength to dentin comparable with that of the control C-SE primer (which also contains a photoinitiator), but not when bonded to enamel. It is concluded that self-assembled nanolayering occurs on enamel and dentin, even when following a clinically used application protocol. The lower bonding effectiveness of mild self-etch adhesives to enamel should be ascribed in part to a lower chemical reactivity (nanolayering) with enamel HAp.     

Fourier transform infrared photoacoustic spectroscopy study of physicochemical interaction between human dentin and etch-&-rinse adhesives in a simulated moist bond technique

The purpose of this study was to provide the physicochemical interactions at the interfaces between two commercial etch-&-rinse adhesives and human dentin in a simulated moist bond technique. Six dentin specimens were divided into two groups (n=3) according to the use of two different adhesive systems: (a) 2-hydroxyethylmethacrylate (HEMA) and 4-methacryloxyethyl trimellitate anhydrate (4-META), and (b) HEMA. The Fourier transform infrared photoacoustic spectroscopy was performed before and after dentin treatment with 37% phosphoric acid, with adhesive systems and also for the adhesive systems alone. Acid-conditioning resulted in a decalcification pattern. Adhesive treated spectra subtraction suggested the occurrence of chemical bonding to dentin expressed through modifications of the OH stretching peak (3340 cm(-1)) and symmetric CH stretching (2900 cm(-1)) for both adhesives spectra; a decrease of orthophosphate absorption band (1040 to 970 cm(-1)) for adhesive A and a better resolved complex band formation (1270 to 970 cm(-1)) for adhesive B were observed. These results suggested the occurrence of chemical bonding between sound human dentin and etch-&-rinse adhesives through a clinical typical condition.     

Immediate and delayed micro-tensile bond strength of different luting resin cements to different regional dentin

We sought to evaluate immediate and delayed micro-tensile bond strength of Panavia F2.0 and Multilink Sprint resin cement to superficial, deep and cervical dentin. Thirty-six freshly extracted non-carious human molars were sectioned in the mesiodistal direction to expose three different dentin regions including superficial dentin (1 mm below the dentine-enamel junction), deep dentin (1 mm above the highest pulp horn) and cervical dentin (0.5 mm above the cemento-enamel junction and 0.5 mm below the dentine-enamel junction). Resin cements were applied on dentin surfaces and composite blocks were luted under constant seating pressure. Each group was divided into three subgroups according to time intervals. Specimens were sectioned to obtain sticks of 1 mm² in diameter and subjected to microtensile bond strength testing at a cross head speed of 1 mm/min. Both resin cements showed higher micro-tensile bond strength to superficial dentin than that to deep or cervical dentin (P < 0.001). Micro-tensile bond strengths of Panavia F2.0 were higher than those of Multilink Sprint at different dentin regions (P < 0.001). Immediate micro-tensile bond strengths were higher than those of delayed micro-tensile bond strengths for both resin cements (P < 0.001). It was concluded that resin cements with different chemical formulations and applications yield significantly different micro-tensile bond strengths to different dentin regions.     

Effect of an acidulated fluoride etchant on bonding between titanium and two luting materials

Adhesive bonding between resin and titanium is useful for resin-bonded prostheses. The purpose of this study was to investigate the efficacy of an etchant, consisting of ammonium hydrogen fluoride (AHF) and phosphoric acid (PA), in titanium bonding. Cast specimens of commercially pure titanium were air-abraded with alumina and etched for 30 s, after which a primer (ALP) was applied. An acrylic rod was bonded to the specimen with one of the two luting agents being examined (Super-Bond QUICK and Panavia F2.0). Shear bond strengths were determined following 10,000 thermocycles. When Panavia F2.0 was applied, neither the etchant nor the ALP primer showed significant effect on bond strength. The postthermocycling bond strength of Super-Bond QUICK was significantly improved with the use of an etchant and ALP primer. Although microscopic observation revealed that considerable numbers of submicron pits were created on the specimens etched using AHF with PA, no significant difference in bond strength was detected in the application of AHF, with or without PA. The present findings suggested that the improved bonding durability was due to the micromechanical retention between the resin and the microscopically roughened titanium surface.