Adhesion of Two Bonding Systems to Air-Abraded or Bur-Abraded Human Enamel Surfaces

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this in vitro study was to evaluate whether mechanical alteration of the enamel surfaces with air abrasion and bur abrasion techniques could enhance the bonding performance of a three step and a self etching adhesive resin systems to enamel. METHODS: 126 extracted lower human incisor teeth were used. The teeth were divided into three groups including 40 teeth each. First group; teeth were used as control and no preparation was made on enamel surfaces, 2(nd) group; outer enamel surfaces were air abraded, 3(rd) group; outer enamel surfaces were abraded mechanically with a diamond fissure bur. Cylinder composite resin blocks were bonded to the buccal enamel surfaces with two bonding systems (20 specimens in each group). Bond strengths to enamel surfaces were measured at a cross-head speed of 1 mm/min. The data were analyzed by ANOVA and Duncan Tests. To examine interface composite resin/enamel surfaces at scanning electron microscopy, remaining 6 teeth were used. Fracture analysis was performed using an optical stereomicroscope. RESULTS: Bond strengths values of Solid Bond were significantly higher than bond strengths of Clearfil SE Bond for all types of enamel (P<.05). Shear bond strength values obtained with Solid Bond (three step system) to three types of enamel surfaces [air-abraded (30.25±7.00 MPa), bur-abraded (29.07±3.53 MPa), control (31.74±7.35 MPa)] were close to each other (P>.05). The macroscopic mode of failures for bonding systems, SB and SE Bond appeared to be adhesive and cohesive in nature. CONCLUSIONS: In order to get better bond strength values with self etching systems, it is advisable to prepare enamel surfaces with bur or air abrasion, but it enamel preparation is not necessary for three step systems.