Bond strengths of three different dentin adhesive systems to sclerotic dentin.

The two-fold aims of this study were: (1) to evaluate the microtensile bond strengths of different adhesive systems to sclerotic and sound palatal dentin; and (2) to observe the respective resin-dentin interfaces. Thirty extracted human incisor teeth were divided into two groups. Group I comprised sclerotic defects in the palatal zone. Group II comprised sound palatal dentin surfaces as control. Each group (n=15) was divided into three subgroups according to dentin adhesive systems: self-etch (Clearfil SE Bond), total-etch (Scotchbond Multi-Purpose Plus), and glass ionomer (Reactmer Bond) adhesive systems. The specimens were subjected to tensile forces. Obtained data were analyzed by two-way ANOVA and post hoc Duncan's test. Fracture sites and resin-dentin interfaces were observed using a light microscope and SEM. With sound dentin, Clearfil SE Bond showed a significantly higher bond strength than the other adhesives (p < 0.05). With sclerotic dentin, although there were no significant differences in bond strength among the adhesives groups (p > 0.05), the bond strength values of Clearfil SE Bond and Scotchbond Multi-Purpose Plus were significantly decreased. On resin-dentin interface observation, different images were presented by different bonding systems.