Assessment of the initial and aged dentin bond strength of universal adhesives

This study evaluated the effect of mechanical loading on microtensile bond strengths (μTBS) of universal adhesives to dentin and quantified adhesive dentin penetration using micro-Raman spectroscopy. Human molars had occlusal dentin exposed and were allocated into eight groups: All-Bond Universal and Scotchbond Universal using etch-and-rinse and self-etch approaches, Adper Prompt L-Pop, Adper Single Bond Plus, Clearfil SE Bond, and Optibond FL. Following bonding procedures and build-ups, specimens were either stored in water at 37 °C for 24 h or mechanically loaded (50,000 cycles, 50 N) prior to μTBS test. Additional teeth were prepared for micro-Raman analysis of adhesive penetration and FE-SEM. Data were analyzed by two-way ANOVA and Tukey׳s post hoc test (P<0.05). Mechanical loading had no deleterious effect on μTBS with the exception of Adper Prompt L-Pop. Incomplete infiltration of the demineralized dentin was noticed for adhesives using the etch-and-rinse approach and for Scotchbond Universal in the self-etch approach.