Correlation between degree of conversion, resin–dentin bond strength and nanoleakage of simplified etch-and-rinse adhesives

ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to correlate the degree of conversion measured inside the hybrid layer (DC) with the microtensile resin–dentin bond strength (μTBS) and silver nitrate uptake or nanoleakage (SNU) for five simplified etch-and-rinse adhesive systems.MethodsFifty-five caries free extracted molars were used in this study. Thirty teeth were used for μTBS/SNU [n = 6] and 25 teeth for DC [n = 5]. The dentin surfaces were bonded with the following adhesives: Adper Single Bond 2 (SB), Ambar (AB), XP Bond (XP), Tetric N-Bond (TE) and Stae (ST) followed by composite resin build-ups. For μTBS and SNU test, bonded teeth were sectioned in order to obtain stick-shaped specimens (0.8 mm2), which were tested under tensile stress (0.5 mm/min). Three bonded sticks, from each tooth, were not tested in tensile stress and they were immersed in 50% silver nitrate, photo-developed and analyzed by scanning electron microscopy. Longitudinal 1-mm thick sections were prepared for the teeth assigned for DC measurement and evaluated by micro-Raman spectroscopy.ResultsST showed lowest DC, μTBS, and higher SNU (p < 0.05). All other adhesives showed similar DC, μTBS, and SNU (p > 0.05), except for TE which showed an intermediate SNU level. The DC was positively correlated with μTBS and negatively correlated with SNU (p < 0.05). SNU was also negatively correlated with μTBS (p < 0.05).SignificanceThe measurement of DC inside the hybrid layer can provide some information about bonding performance of adhesive systems since this property showed a good correlation with resin–dentin bond strength and SNU values.