ABSTRACT
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of deproteinization and an additional primer treatment on the microtensile bond strength of a newly developed self-adhesive resin cement to dentin. The occlusal dentin of extracted human third molars was randomly divided into four groups according to the surface treatment: a control (CON) with no treatment; applying a deproteinizing agent (DPT) (5% sodium hypochlorite); using a primer (PRI) (G-CEM ONE Adhesive enhancing primer, GC); and applying a deproteinizing agent and a primer (DPT-PRI). Composite resin blocks with a disk shape (diameter, 10 mm; height, 4 mm) were bonded to the treated dentin using a self-adhesive resin cement (G-CEM ONE, GC). The specimens were sectioned into sticks with a cross-section of 1 mm² and tested to failure in tension mode at a crosshead speed of 1 mm/min. All groups showed a significantly higher microtensile bond strength compared to CON (p0.05). Within the limitations of this study, a deproteinizing agent or specific primer can enhance the microtensile bond strength of the self-adhesive resin cement to dentin. However, it is not recommended to use a primer in combination with the deproteinizing agents.