Purpose: To evaluate the microtensile bond strength (µTBS) of three universal adhesives to dentin contaminated with a hemostatic agent.
Materials and Methods: Ninety-six human premolars were cut to expose mid-coronal dentin. The teeth were randomly divided into a control group (uncontaminated dentin) and an experimental group in which a hemostatic agent was applied (contaminated dentin). Each group was further divided into 6 subgroups according to universal adhesives – SBU (Single Bond Universal), OPU (OptiBond Universal), CBQ (Clearfil Universal Bond Quick) – and etching mode, either etch-and-rinse (ER) or self-etch (SE). Following adhesive application, composite was placed in two increments and light cured. The specimens were stored in distilled water at 37°C for 24 h. The µTBS test was performed using a universal testing machine. Failure mode was assessed using a light microscope. The data were statistically analyzed using three-way ANOVA followed by Scheffe’s test (p < 0.05). The resin-dentin interface was observed using scanning electron microscopy.
Results: Significantly lower bond strength was observed when the universal adhesives were bonded to contaminated dentin in SE mode (p < 0.05). In contrast, the µTBS of the universal adhesives in ER mode was not affected by contamination (p > 0.05). The µTBS of CBQ to contaminated dentin was significantly lower than that of the other adhesives. Observation of the resin-dentin interface revealed limited resin penetration when the universal adhesive was applied in SE mode on contaminated dentin.
Conclusion: Contaminating the dentin with a hemostatic agent significantly reduced the µTBS of the universal adhesives in SE mode. However, this adverse effect was not found when the universal adhesives were used in ER mode.