ABSTRACT
The authors evaluated, in vitro, the effects of etching glass ionomer cements prior to the application of a bonding agent and a resin composite on the bond strength of the glass ionomer/resin composite interface. Six glass ionomer cements were tested using the same bonding agent/resin composite system (Scotchbond Multipurpose/Z 100). For each material, 16 specimens were prepared and divided into two groups. Eight of the specimens were not etched while eight were etched with 37% phosphoric acid for 15 seconds. All the materials were used according to the manufacturers' instructions. Glass ionomer cylinders were prepared and were mounted in an assembly apparatus and the bonding agent/resin composite transferred to a demarcated area on the cement surface. The specimens were stored for 24 hours in distilled water at 37 degrees C and thermocycled. After thermocycling, the specimens were placed in a testing machine and a shear load applied with a knife-edged rod at the glass ionomer/resin composite interface. The shear bond strength was calculated and expressed in MPa. Data were analyzed by ANOVA and the Tukey-Kramer test. There were no significant differences among the shear bond strengths of the resin composite to etched and non-etched glass ionomer cements.