Resin modified glass ionomer bonded to caries affected dentin disinfected with carbon dioxide laser, diode lasers, bee glue and photosensitizing agents: An estimation of bond strength

•CO2 laser disinfection of caries-affected dentin positively impacts the bond integrity of resin-modified glass ionomer cement restorative material.•CO2 has the potential to be used alternate to CHX for caries-affected dentin disinfection. The present in vitro study was carried out to evaluate the effect of different cavity disinfectants chlorhexidine (CHX), riboflavin (RF), diode laser (DL), carbon dioxide laser (CO2), and Propolis on the bond values of resin-modified glass ionomer cement (RMGIC) restoration bonded to caries affected dentin (CAD) Forty multi-rooted mandibular molars were adapted in self-cure acrylic resin blocks up to the level of the cementoenamel junction so that only the crown portion of the tooth remained visible. Silicon carbide discs of 1200 and 600 grits were then used to remove infected dentin. However, CAD was left behind to use as a substrate for restoration. All samples were randomly divided into five groups based on the method of disinfection. group 1: Propolis, group 2: CHX, group 3:RF activated by PDT, group 4: CO2 laser, and group 5: DL. RMGIC restoration was then placed on these disinfected samples. Samples were kept in an incubator keeping humidity at 100 % and temperature at 37 °C for about 24 hrs. All samples were then placed in a Universal testing machine to measure SBS. Failure modes were identified using a stereomicroscope. ANOVA test was used to analyze intergroup comparison. Tukey HSD test was used to evaluate multiple group comparisons. The level of significance was set at a p < 0.05 value. Group 2 specimens disinfected with CHX established the highest SBS value (17.85±1.09 MPa). Whereas, Group 5 specimens in which CAD was disinfected with DL demonstrated the lowest SBS (10.36±0.33MPa). CO2 has the potential to be used as an alternate to CHX for caries-eaffected dentin disinfection. However, Riboflavin activated by photodynamic therapy; Diode laser, and Propolis as cavity disinfectant prior bond to resin-modified glass ionomer is not recommended and needs further probing.