Correlation of in vivo and in vitro performance of adhesive restorative materials: A report of the ASC MD156 task group on test methods for the adhesion of restorative materials

Before a standard designed to test the adhesion of adhesive restorative materials can be accepted, it is necessary to identify those parameters which are of clinical relevance and which can be studied under in vitro testing conditions. The goal of this report has been to identify information related to how dentinal fluid, intra-tubular pressure, polymerization shrinkage, cavity preparation, cavity shape, replacement technique, curing method, tooth age, environmental conditions, masticatory forces, thermal cycling, and microleakage influence the bond strength of adhesive restorative materials. This review is also intended to function both as an information base of past experimental data as well as a source of guidance for further, needed research. The following task group subcommittee members contributed toward the content of this document: Karl-Johan M. Söderholm, subcommittee chairperson; Gary D. Derkson, Robert L. Ibsen, and J. Rodway Mackert. In addition to the subcommittee members, valuable suggestions were also given by Frederick A. Rueggeberg, John C. Mitchem, and Christos Angeletakis.