Comparative evaluation of shear bond strength of two self-etching adhesives (sixth and seventh generation) on dentin of primary and permanent teeth: an in vitro study.

AIM: The present study was undertaken to compare and evaluate shear bond strength of two self-etching adhesives (sixth and seventh generation) on dentin of primary and permanent teeth.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Flat dentin surface of 64 human anterior teeth (32 primary and 32 permanent) divided into four groups of 16 each. Groups A and C were treated with Contax (sixth generation), while groups B and D were treated with Clearfil S3 (seventh generation). A teflon mold was used to build the composite (Filtek Z-350) cylinders on the dentinal surface of all the specimens. Shear bond strength was tested for all the specimens with an Instron Universal Testing Machine. Data were statistically analyzed using one-way ANOVA for multiple group comparison, followed by student's unpaired 't' test for group-wise comparison.

RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference in shear bond strength among the study groups except that primary teeth bonded with Contax exhibited significantly lesser shear bond strength than permanent teeth bonded with Clearfil S3.

CONCLUSION: This study revealed that Clearfil S3 could be of greater advantage in pediatric dentistry than Contax because of its fewer steps and better shear bond strength in dentin of both primary and permanent teeth.