Reconsideration of Enamel Etching Protocols for Universal Adhesives: Effect of Etching Method and Etching Time.

PURPOSE: To evaluate whether different etching methods with reduced etching times would improve the enamel bonding efficacy of universal adhesives. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Three enamel etching methods were evaluated - 1. phosphoric acid ester monomer etching (PPM); 2. phosphoric acid etching (PPA); and 3. polyalkenoic acid etching (PLA) - as were three universal adhesives: 1. BeautiBond Universal (BU); 2. Prime&Bond elect (PE); and 3. Scotchbond Universal Adhesive (SU). The shear bond strengths of the universal adhesives to ground enamel and ground enamel etched for 1, 5, 10, and 15 s with different etching methods were determined after 24 h and 10,000 thermal cycles. Surface roughness average (Ra) and surface area ratio (surface area:planar area) were measured using a confocal laser scanning microscope. Field-emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM) observations of enamel with different etching protocols were also conducted. RESULTS: The bond strengths of universal adhesives to enamel subjected to PPA etching with maximum times of 1-15 s and PLA etching for 15 s were significantly higher than those to ground enamel. The bond strength to enamel subjected to PPM etching did not increase and was similar to that for ground enamel. PPA and PLA etching were effective at increasing the Ra and surface area ratio of enamel. Although both values were significantly higher than those of ground enamel, those subjected to PPA etching were significantly higher than those which underwent PLA etching. In addition, the Ra and surface area of enamel subjected to PPM etching were similar to those of ground enamel, regardless of the etching time. CONCLUSIONS: Phosphoric acid etching for <1-15 s and polyalkenoic-acid etching for 15 s both improve the bonding of universal adhesives, the Ra, and the surface area ratio of enamel. However, phosphoric acid ester monomer etching was not effective, regardless of the etching time.

Influence of surface wetness on bonding effectiveness of universal adhesives in etch-and-rinse mode.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether surface wetness would influence the bonding effectiveness of universal adhesives in etch-and-rinse mode. All-Bond Universal (AB), G-Premio Bond (GP), Prime & Bond Active (PB), and Scotchbond Universal Adhesive (SU) were evaluated. Initial bond strengths and bond-fatigue strengths of universal adhesives to both wet and dry enamel and dentin in etch-and-rinse mode were determined. Scanning electron microscopy observations of the adhesive interfaces were also conducted. The bond-fatigue durability of universal adhesive to enamel in etch-and-rinse mode was influenced by the surface wetness, unlike that to dentin. The bond fatigue durability of AB and GP to dentin in etch-and-rinse mode was different depending on the surface wetness, unlike that of PB and SU. The thicknesses of the adhesive or hybrid layer of resin-dentin interfaces were not influenced by the surface wetness, but the length of resin tags in the wet group was longer than in the dry group. Some universal adhesives with the addition of specific components and optimization of water content can achieve stable bonds regardless of surface wetness, but the surface wetness of dentin is still a significant factor for universal adhesive bonding in etch-and rinse mode, unlike that of enamel.

Wear of resin composites: Current insights into underlying mechanisms, evaluation methods and influential factors.

The application of resin composites in dentistry has become increasingly widespread due to the increased aesthetic demands of patients, improvements in the formulation of resin composites, and the ability of these materials to bond to tooth structures, together with concerns about dental amalgam fillings. As resistance to wear is an important factor in determining the clinical success of resin composite restoratives, this review article defines what constitutes wear and describes the major underlying phenomena involved in this process. Insights are further included on both in vivo and in vitro tests used to determine the wear resistance of resin composite and the relationships between these tests. The discussion focuses on factors that contribute to the wear of resin composite. Finally, future perspectives are included on both clinical and laboratory tests and on the development of resin composite restorations.

Comparison of enamel bond fatigue durability between universal adhesives and two-step self-etch adhesives: Effect of phosphoric acid pre-etching.

The effect of phosphoric acid pre-etching on enamel bond fatigue durability of universal adhesives and two-step self-etch adhesives was investigated. Four universal adhesives and three two-step self-etch adhesives were used. The initial shear bond strengths and shear fatigue strengths to enamel with and without phosphoric acid pre-etching using the adhesives were determined. SEM observations were also conducted. Phosphoric acid pre-etching of enamel was found to increase the bond fatigue durability of universal adhesives, but its effect on two-step self-etch adhesives was material-dependent. In addition, some universal adhesives with phosphoric acid pre-etching showed similar bond fatigue durability to the two-step self-etch adhesives, although the bond fatigue durability of universal adhesives in self-etch mode was lower than that of the two-step self-etch adhesives. Phosphoric acid pre-etching enhances enamel bond fatigue durability of universal adhesives, but the effect of phosphoric acid pre-etching on the bond fatigue durability of two-step self-etch adhesives was material-dependent.

Comparison of enamel bond fatigue durability of universal adhesives and two-step self-etch adhesives in self-etch mode.

PURPOSE: To comparatively evaluate universal adhesives and two-step self-etch adhesives for enamel bond fatigue durability in self-etch mode. METHODS: Three universal adhesives (Clearfil Universal Bond; G-Premio Bond; Scotchbond Universal Adhesive) and three two-step self-etch adhesives (Clearfil SE Bond; Clearfil SE Bond 2; OptiBond XTR) were used. The initial shear bond strength and shear fatigue strength of the adhesive to enamel in self-etch mode were determined. RESULTS: The initial shear bond strengths of the universal adhesives to enamel in self-etch mode was significantly lower than those of two-step self-etch adhesives and initial shear bond strengths were not influenced by type of adhesive in each adhesive category. The shear fatigue strengths of universal adhesives to enamel in self-etch mode were significantly lower than that of Clearfil SE Bond and Clearfil SE Bond 2, but similar to that OptiBond XTR. Unlike two-step self-etch adhesives, the initial shear bond strength and shear fatigue strength of universal adhesives to enamel in self-etch mode was not influenced by the type of adhesive. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: This laboratory study showed that the enamel bond fatigue durability of universal adhesives was lower than Clearfil SE Bond and Clearfil SE Bond 2, similar to Optibond XTR, and was not influenced by type of adhesive, unlike two-step self-etch adhesives.

Influence of application method on surface free-energy and bond strength of universal adhesive systems to enamel.

The aim of the present study was to determine the influence of different adhesive application methods and etching modes on enamel bond effectiveness of universal adhesives using shear bond strength (SBS) testing and surface free-energy (SFE) measurements. The adhesives Scotchbond Universal, All-Bond Universal, Adhese Universal, and G-Premio Bond were used. Prepared bovine enamel specimens were divided into four groups, based on type of adhesive, and subjected to the following surface treatments: (i) total-etch mode with active application; (ii) total-etch mode with inactive application; (iii) self-etch mode with active application; and (iv) self-etch mode with inactive application. Bonded specimens were subjected to SBS testing. The SFE of the enamel surfaces with adhesive was measured after rinsing with acetone and water. The SBS values in total-etch mode were significantly higher than those in self-etch mode. In total-etch mode, significantly lower SBS values were observed with active application compared with inactive application; in contrast, in self-etch mode there were no significant differences in SBS between active and inactive applications. A reduction in total SFE was observed for active application compared with inactive application. The interaction between etching mode and application method was statistically significant, and the application method significantly affected enamel bond strength in total-etch mode.

Influence of photoirradiation conditions on dentin bond durability and interfacial characteristics of universal adhesives.

The influence of photoirradiation conditions on dentin bond durability and interfacial characteristics of universal adhesives was investigated. Universal adhesives were applied to the dentin surfaces and photoirradiated with 100 mW/cm2 for 40 s, 200 mW/cm2 for 20 s, and 400 mW/cm2 for 10 s. A resin composite was bonded to dentin to determine shear bond strength after 24 h water storage and 30,000 thermal cycles, and water contact angle of cured adhesive were measured by the sessile drop method. Greater dentin bond strengths after 24 h water storage and 30,000 thermal cycles were achieved under these conditions at light intensity exceeding 200 mW/cm2. Universal adhesives photoirradiated above 200 mW/cm2 exhibited significantly higher water contact angles than those at 100 mW/cm2. The results of this study suggested that the photoirradiation conditions affect the dentin bond durability and interfacial characteristics of universal adhesives even at the same total energy.

Influence of surface treatment of contaminated lithium disilicate and leucite glass ceramics on surface free energy and bond strength of universal adhesives.

This study investigates the influence of surface treatment of contaminated lithium disilicate and leucite glass ceramic restorations on the bonding efficacy of universal adhesives. Lithium disilicate and leucite glass ceramics were contaminated with saliva, and then cleaned using distilled water (SC), or 37% phosphoric acid (TE), or hydrofluoric acid (CE). Specimens without contamination served as controls. The surface free energy was determined by measuring the contact angles formed when the three test liquids were placed on the specimens. Bond strengths of the universal adhesives were also measured. Saliva contamination and surface treatment of ceramic surfaces significantly influenced the surface free energy. The bond strengths of universal adhesives were also affected by surface treatment and the choice of adhesive materials. Our data suggest that saliva contamination of lithum disilicate and leucite glass ceramics significantly impaired the bonding of the universal adhesives, and reduced the surface free energy of the ceramics.

Influence of light intensity on surface-free energy and dentin bond strength of single-step self-etch adhesives.

In this study, we investigated the influence of light intensity on the surface-free energy and dentin bond strength of single-step selfetch adhesives. The adhesives were applied to the dentin surfaces of bovine mandibular incisors and cured with light intensities of 0 (no irradiation), 200, 400, and 600 mW/cm(2). Surface-free energies were determined by measuring the contact angles of three test liquids placed on the cured adhesives. Dentin bond strengths of the specimens were also measured. Polymerization with a higher light intensity resulted in a lower surface-free energy of the cured adhesives. The greatest bond strength was achieved when a light intensity of 400 mW/cm(2) or greater was used. Our data suggest that the surface-free energy and dentin bond strength of single-step self-etch adhesives are affected by light intensity of the curing unit.

Evaluation of a calcium phosphate desensitizer using an ultrasonic device.

This study evaluated the effect of a calcium phosphate desensitizer on the demineralization of bovine dentin by measuring changes in transmitted ultrasonic velocity. Bovine dentin specimens with and without application of desensitizer were immersed in 0.1 M lactic-acid buffer solution (pH 4.75) 10 min twice daily throughout the test period, and stored in artificial saliva solution (pH 7.0) between treatments. The propagation time of longitudinal ultrasonic waves was measured by a pulser-receiver. Data were evaluated using one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey HSD test (α=0.05). The ultrasonic velocity decreased over time in specimens stored in demineralizing solution (3,785-3,462 m/s); however, desensitizer-applied specimens had a significantly higher sonic velocity (3,945-3,990 m/s) than those without application. The calcium phosphate desensitizer appeared to reduce the demineralization of dentin and occluded dentinal tubules.