Effect of solvent type on microtensile bond strength of a total-etch one-bottle adhesive system to moist or dry dentin

This study evaluated the effect of organic solvent (acetone or ethanol) on the microtensile bond strengths (MTBS) of an adhesive system applied to dry and moist dentin. Sixteen extracted human third molars were ground to expose a flat occlusal dentin surface and acid etched for 20 seconds (20% phosphoric acid gel, Gluma Etch 20 Gel, Heraeus/Kulzer). After rinsing the acid etchant, an ethanol-based one-bottle adhesive system was applied to the mesial half of the occlusal dentin surface. An acetone-based, one-bottle adhesive system was applied to the distal half of the ground dentin surface. The teeth were randomly assigned to groups. In Group 1, the etched dentin was thoroughly air dried and an ethanol-based one-bottle adhesive system was applied (Gluma Comfort Bond, Heraeus/Kulzer) (GCB). In Group 2, the etched dentin was thoroughly air dried and an acetone-based one-bottle adhesive system was applied (Gluma One Bond, Heraeus/Kulzer)(GOB). In Group 3, excess moisture was removed after acid etching, leaving a moist dentin surface and a one-bottle ethanol-based adhesive was applied (Gluma Comfort Bond). In Group 4, excess moisture was removed after acid etching, leaving a moist dentin surface and an acetone-based adhesive was applied (Gluma One Bond). A hybrid resin composite (Venus, Heraeus/Kulzer) was applied to the bonded surface in four 1-mm increments and light cured according to manufacturer's directions. The specimens were then sectioned with a slow-speed diamond saw in two perpendicular directions to obtain sticks with a cross-section of 0.5 +/- 0.05 mm2. The microtensile bond strength (MTBS) test was performed with a Bencor device in an Instron machine at a crosshead speed of 0.5 mm/minute. The data were subjected to a two-way ANOVA and Scheffé Post hoc test (p < 0.05). The experimental MTBS measured for dry dentin were Group 1 = 37.0 +/- 10.6 and Group 2 = 34.7 +/- 9.0 in MPa (mean +/- SD); and on moist dentin, Group 3 = 50.7 +/- 11.0 and Group 4 = 38.5 +/- 10.5 in MPa (mean +/- SD). The ethanol based adhesives resulted in higher MTBS than acetone-based adhesive (p < 0.008) and bonding to moist dentin resulted in higher MTBS (p < 0.001). GCB applied on moist dentin resulted in statistically higher bond strengths than the other groups. The highest MTBS were achieved with the use of an ethanol-based adhesive to moist dentin.