Effect of surface conditioning and restorative material on the shear bond strength and resin–dentin interface of a new one-bottle nanofilled adhesive

Objectives: To determine the effect of different combinations of surface conditioning (DeTrey Conditioner 36, NRC, no etching) and restorative materials (Dyract AP, Spectrum TPH) on the shear bond strength of Prime and Bond NT to enamel and dentin, and to characterize the resin–dentin interface produced by these combinations. Methods: Shear bond strength was tested on 30 enamel and 30 dentin flat labial surfaces of extracted bovine teeth. The enamel and dentin specimens were randomly assigned to six groups of five teeth each and treated using different combinations of surface conditioners and restorative materials with Prime and Bond NT. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) observation of argon-ion-etched specimens was done to evaluate the resin–dentin interface. Results: The type of surface conditioning and restorative material had significant effects on dentin bond strengths. Etching the dentin prior to application of Prime and Bond NT significantly increased bond strength and caused formation of a hybrid layer for Spectrum TPH. For Dyract AP, dentin etching generally did not improve bond strength despite the formation of a hybrid layer. On enamel, Prime and Bond NT had consistently high bond strengths on etched specimens. Significance: The results showed that Dyract AP and Spectrum TPH, when used with Prime and Bond NT have different bonding mechanisms and the effect of surface conditioning on their shear bond strength differs. Clinicians should be aware of these effects in order to optimize bonding.