Micro-shear bond strength of composite resin to glass ionomer cement using an alternative method to build up test specimens.

Context: Despite the relevance of the sandwich technique, there are still doubts about the best adhesive strategy and surface treatment for glass ionomer cements (GICs).

Aim: The aim of this study is to evaluate the best surface treatment for GIC to ensure an effective and durable adhesion to resin, through micro-shear test, using an alternative method to build up test specimens.

Subjects And Methods: Eighty GIC samples were divided into eight groups (n = 10) according to five surface treatments (none, etching, air drying, grinding, and grinding plus etching) and according to the adhesive system (conventional or self-etch). Five starch tubes were positioned on each sample, and a flowable composite was inserted generating 50 resin test bodies per group and a total of 400 tested areas. All specimens were submitted to the micro-shear test: half immediately and half after thermal cycling (10,000 cycles of 20 s each/5° and 55°C). All samples were analyzed to evaluate fracture. Representative samples were also analyzed by scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectroscopy. Data were analyzed with two-way ANOVA and Tukey's honest significant difference post hoc test (P <.05).

Results: The bond strengths in the thermal cycled specimens were lower and showed a statistically significant difference (P = 0). The "grinding" groups showed the highest bond strength.

Conclusions: The alternative method to build up test specimens was effective and easy to execute. Grinding of the GIC surface, which is not normally performed before the use of the adhesive system, represented the best option of surface treatment.