DOI: 10.3290/j.jad.a21854, PubMed ID (PMID): 21734971Pages 137-145, Language: EnglishCastro, Fabrício L. A. / Andrade, Marcelo F. / Hebling, Josimeri / Lizarelli, Rosane F. Z.
Purpose: To evaluate whether Nd:YAG laser irradiation of etched and unetched dentin through an uncured adhesive affected the microtensile bond strength (µTBS).
Materials and Methods: Flat dentin surfaces were created in 19 extracted human third molars. Adper Single Bond (SB) adhesive was applied over etched (groups 1 to 3) or unetched dentin (groups 4 to 6). The dentin was then irradiated with a Nd:YAG laser through the uncured adhesive, using 0.75 or 1 W power settings, except for the control groups (groups 1 and 4). The adhesive was light cured and composite crowns were built up. After 24 h, the teeth were sectioned into beams, with cross-sectional areas of 0.49 mm2, and were stressed under tension. Data were statistically analyzed using two-way ANOVA and Tukey's test (α = 5%). Dentin surfaces of fractured specimens and the interfaces of untested beams were observed under scanning electron microscopy (SEM).
Results: Acid etching, laser irradiation, and their interaction significantly affected bonding (p < 0.05). Laser irradiation did not improve bonding of etched dentin to resin (p > 0.05). However, higher µTBS means were found on unetched lased dentin (groups 5 and 6), but only in comparison to group 4, where neither lasing nor etching was performed. Groups 4 to 6 showed the lowest µTBS means among all groups tested (p < 0.05). Laser irradiation did not change the characteristics of the hybrid layers created, while solidification globules were observed on lased dentin surfaces under SEM.
Conclusion: Laser irradiation of dentin through the uncured adhesive did not significantly improve the µTBS in comparison to the suggested manufacturer's technique.
Keywords: dentin adhesives, lasers, dentin, tensile bond strength