Influence of laser irradiation on the push-out bond strength between a glass fiber post and root dentin.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: A major issue related to the failure of endodontically treated teeth restored with an intraradicular post is gradual debonding of the glass fiber post, resin cement, and dentin.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this in vitro study was to evaluate the influence of laser irradiation on the push-out bond strength of glass fiber posts to radicular dentin.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: Thirty-two mandibular bovine incisors were endodontically treated and divided into 4 groups according to the surface treatment of the post: silane control (GC); irradiation with Er:YAG (GYAG); irradiation with Er,Cr:YSGG (GCR); and 980-nm diode laser (GDI) application. After surface treatment, the glass fiber posts were cemented with dual adhesive resin cement. To evaluate bond strength, the specimens were subjected to a push-out test at a crosshead speed of 0.5 mm/min using a universal testing machine. Failure mode was analyzed using stereomicroscopy. The surface morphology was evaluated qualitatively after surface treatment by using confocal laser microscopy. The push-out test data (MPa) were analyzed using a linear mixed effects model and the Bonferroni test (α=.05).

RESULTS: At the cervical third, no significant differences were observed between the GC and GCR groups (P=1.00), and both of the groups exhibited higher bond strength. At the middle and apical thirds, the GCR group revealed higher bond strength, which was significantly different from that observed in all other groups (P<.05). No statistical differences were observed among the other tested protocols (GC, GYAG, and GDI groups; P=1.00). Adhesive failure was predominant in all groups.

CONCLUSIONS: Irradiation with Er,Cr:YSGG improved the bond strength of the cement-post-dentin interfaces.