ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: This randomized, double-blind clinical trial, , evaluated the behavior of two universal adhesives used in etch-and-rinse (ER) or self-etch (SE) approach in non-carious cervical lesions (NCCLs). METHODS: Two hundred and eleven NCCLs were selected in 54 participants and randomly allocated into four experimental groups: Scotchbond Universal Adhesive - SBU (3M Oral Care) and Prime & Bond Elect - PB (Dentsply Sirona) used in ER and SE modes. Two trained operators placed all resin composite restorations (Filtek Z250, 3M Oral Care). Restorations were evaluated at baseline and after 6 months using both FDI and USPHS modified criteria by a blinded calibrated examiner. Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U non-parametric tests were used to compare the restoration failures among experimental groups. RESULTS: Statistically significant differences were found among groups regarding failures (p=0.000 for both FDI and USPHS criteria). PB-SE presented more failures (p<0.05) than other experimental groups. No significant difference was found between any other pair of groups (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The etch and rinse approach affected the clinical performance of Prime and Bond Elect. For this material, the self-etch approach generated lower criteria scores after a six-month follow-up. The bonding strategy did not influence Scotchbond Universal Adhesive clinical performance. (RBR-2GQMVF) CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: The clinical behavior of mild universal adhesive Prime & Bond Elect depends on the bonding strategy. The etch-and-rinse approach is recommended for this adhesive system. Scotchbond Universal Adhesive can be used in both bonding strategies without impairing clinical performance.
