Is buffalo enamel a suitable substrate for bond strength tests?

The aim of this study was to compare the bonding strength of dental materials in buffalo ( ), bovine, and human enamel and the susceptibility of these substrates in acid etching. A total of 20 human third molars, 20 bovine incisors, and 20 buffalo incisors were used in a mechanical assay of microshear. The substrates were demineralized via conditioning with 37% phosphoric acid, and the ultra-morphological pattern of each substrate was analyzed by scanning electron microscopy. The results showed that there was no significant difference in adhesive bonding strength values between buffalo and human enamel ( ≥0.05), with a fracture pattern of mixed type for all experimental groups. The results indicate that buffalo enamel is similar to human dental substrate in tests of adhesive bonding strength and also show a similar behavior in the acid conditioning of the enamel.