Effect of 2% chlorhexidine on dentin microtensile bond strengths and nanoleakage of luting cements

ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to investigate the effect of pre-treatment by chlorhexidine on the microtensile bond strength (mTBS) of resin cements and nanoleakage at the resin–dentine interfaces.MethodsCylindrical composite blocks were luted to human dentine using resin cements (RelyX ARC, 3M ESPE: ARC; Panavia F, Kuraray Medical Inc.: PF; RelyX Unicem, 3M ESPE: UN) with/without pre-treatment by 2% chlorhexidine digluconate (CAVITY CLEANSER, Bisco, Inc., Schaumburg, IL, USA). CAVITY CLEANSER was applied on the acid etched dentine for 60 s in the ARC group, and on smear layer-covered dentine in the PF and UN groups. After storage in water for 24 h, the bonded teeth were sectioned into 1 mm thick slabs and further into 0.9 mm × 0.9 mm beams. After immersion in water or ammoniacal silver nitrate for 24 h, the beams were stressed to failure in tension. The fractured surfaces were examined by field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) using backscattered electron mode. The silver-stained slabs were used to examine nanoleakage within the bonded interface by FE-SEM.ResultsThe resin cement and chlorhexidine treatment had significant effects (p < 0.0001) on mTBS; while the storage media had no significant effect (p = 0.435). The mTBS of ARC was significantly higher than the other cements. Chlorhexidine reduced mTBS and produced pronounced nanoleakage when PF and UC were luted to dentine.ConclusionsPre-treatment with chlorhexidine affected the integrity of dentine bonding with PF and UC, while there was no adverse effect on coupling of ARC.