Microtensile bond strength of universal adhesives to flat versus Class I cavity dentin with pulpal pressure simulation.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to test long-term microtensile bond strength (µTBS) of 2 universal adhesives applied to dentin following "total-etch" (TE) or "self-etch" (SE) protocols and aged by direct or indirect water exposure using simulated pulpal pressure.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Single Bond Universal (SBU, 3M ESPE) or Ipera Bond (IP, Itena) were applied to mid-coronal dentin ("flat dentin") or Class I cavity ("cavity dentin") following TE or SE protocols in 112 extracted human third molars. Sixteen groups (n = 7 per group) were prepared, 8 groups for µTBS measurements after 24 hours, and further 8 groups for measurements after 6 months storage. "Cavity dentin" groups were subjected to simulated hydrostatic pulpal pressure of 15 cm H2 O using a custom-made device before cutting 1 × 1 mm sticks while "flat dentin" groups were cut into sticks and directly exposed to deionized water.

RESULTS: Generally, the TE protocol resulted in highest µTBS values on flat dentin initially for both adhesives (general linear model, P < .05). Long-term storage resulted in significantly lower µTBS values for the TE protocol (P < .05) while the SE protocol showed comparable values after 6 months (P > .05). "Cavity dentin" with simulated pulpal pressure resulted in lower µTBS than "flat dentin" (P < .05). For both adhesives, µTBS was in the range of 19-42 MPa initially and 16-36 MPa after 6 months storage.

CONCLUSIONS: µTBS to dentin of universal adhesives is more stable in the long term following the SE than TE protocol. Simulated pulpal pressure and cavity-type sample preparation may be recommended for µTBS testing as a more clinically relevant strategy.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Microtensile bond strength to dentin of universal adhesives appears more stable following the "self-etch" than "total-etch" protocol after long-term degradation. More clinically relevant data may be obtained using simulated pulpal pressure and cavity-type sample preparation in the study design.