Investigation of five α-hydroxy acids for enamel and dentin etching: Demineralization depth, resin adhesion and dentin enzymatic activity.

Objectives: Surface conditioning of enamel and dentin is a key step during adhesive restorative procedures and strategies. The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of five α-hydroxy-acids (AHAs) as enamel and dentin surface etchants.

Methods: Enamel and dentin specimens were prepared from human molars to determine the depth of demineralization by optical profilometry (Δz), the resin bond strength to enamel and dentin (μTBS), the micro-permeability of dentin-resin interfaces, and the gelatinolytic activity of dentin matrix induced by AHAs [glycolic (GA), lactic (LA), citric (CA), malic (MI) and tartaric (TA)] and controls [phosphoric (PA) and maleic (MA)]. All acids were prepared at 35% concentration. Adhesion studies employed Adper Single Bond Plus bonding system. Data were individually processed and analyzed by ANOVA, post-hoc tests and Pearson correlations (α = 0.05).

Results: AHA exhibited statistically lower depth of demineralization of enamel and dentin (average 4 fold) than controls (p < 0.001). In enamel, MA and PA etching resulted in higher μTBS than AHA groups (p < 0.001). In dentin, GA, TA, CI and LA etching resulted in statistically similar μTBS than PA (p < 0.05). The hybrid-layer (HL) thickness and interfacial micro-permeability intensity were statistically lower for AHA groups (p < 0.05). A significant positive correlation was observed between the intensity of micro-permeability and the thickness of HL (p < 0.05). AHA etchants elicited lower dentin enzymatic activity than controls (p < 0.05).

Significance: AHAs effectively etched enamel and dentin surfaces. In particular, GA and TA resulted in suitable μTBS and sealing ability as well as induced less gelatinolytic activity in dentin than PA and MA.