Effect of MTAD on the bond strength to enamel and dentin

The purpose of this study was to compare the effect of MTAD (a mixture of a tetracycline isomer [doxycycline], an acid [citric acid], and a detergent [Tween 80]) and phosphoric acid on the bond strength to enamel and dentin using a conventional OptiBond Solo Plus dentin adhesive system. One hundred flat surfaces (50 enamel/50 dentin) were prepared for bonding. Specimens were embedded in acrylic with the flat surface exposed. One of the following surface treatments was applied before bonding composite with Optibond Solo Plus (Kerr Corp): 1 min NaOCl/1 min EDTA; 1 min NaOCl/1 min MTAD; 30 s etch with H3PO4 (positive control), 2 min saline (negative control), or 20 min NaOCl/5 min MTAD (clinical protocol for MTAD). Shear bond strength was tested 30 min after bonding. Data were analyzed using a one-way ANOVA followed by the Student-Newman-Keuls multiple comparison method. Surface pretreatment with acid etch resulted in the greatest enamel bond strengths (p < 0.05). All surface pretreatments were superior to saline for dentinal bonding (p < 0.05). On the basis of our findings, it appears that teeth endodontically treated with the MTAD protocol for clinical use (20 min 1.3% NaOCl/5 min MTAD) may not need any additional dentin conditioning before the application of the dental adhesive.