Effect of different immediate dentin sealing techniques on the microtensile bond strength

Abstract

This study aimed to compare the effects of different immediate dentin sealing techniques on the bond strength using Optibond FL® (Kerr, USA) as a dentin sealing agent and to analyze their influences on the bonding performance. Twelve caries-free extracted human molars were used. The experimental groups were categorized according to the dentin sealing methods as follows: Immediate Dentin Sealing with Optibond FL® (IDS with OF), Immediate Dentin Sealing with Optibond FL® and Tetric Flow® (IDS with OF + TF), and Delayed Dentin Sealing (DDS). Direct composite restoration was carried out in the control group. After preparing each group with use of different processes, all specimens were subjected to microtensile bond strength testing, and the data were statistically analyzed. A combination of Optibond FL® and Tetric Flow® showed significantly higher bond strength compared with single use of Optibond FL® in the IDS groups. The DDS group showed statistically lowest mean microtensile bond strength. The direct composite group showed statistically higher bond strength than the IDS group using Optibond FL® alone, but there was no significant difference between the direct composite group and the IDS group using Optibond FL® and Tetric Flow®. Compared to the immediate dentin sealing technique using a dentin sealing agent alone, the technique consisting of a dentin sealing agent and a flowable resin composite may improve dentin bond strength, minimize patient discomfort, and consequently have a positive influence on the long-term survival of indirect bonded restorations.