Cuspal movement related to different bonding techniques using etch-and-rinse and self-etch adhesive systems.

Objectives: To investigate the effects of adhesion technique using different contemporary adhesive systems on the cuspal movement in class II composite restorations in human premolar teeth.

Methods: Human premolar teeth were prepared with class II cavities and then restored with composite and etch-and-rinse (Adper Scotchbond Multi Purpose and Adper Single Bond) or self-etch (Clearfil SE Bond and Clearfil S3 Bond) adhesive systems under different bonding techniques (total bonding and selective bonding). The influence of an intermediate layer of flowable composite was also evaluated. The cuspal distance was measured before and after the restorative procedure, and the difference was recorded as cuspal movement. The data were submitted to ANOVA test and Tukey's post hoc comparison procedure test (alpha=0.05).

Results: For all adhesive systems, the teeth restored with selective bonding technique showed lower values of cuspal movement and the use of an intermediary layer of flowable composite did not show any influence on the cuspal movement.

Conclusions: Both the adhesive techniques tested were not able to prevent the cuspal movement. However, selectively bonded class II composite restorations demonstrated lower values of cuspal movement comparing with total bonding technique, and the use of an intermediate layer of flowable composite did not diminish the values of cuspal movement.