Effect of collagen cross-linkers on the shear bond strength of a self-etch adhesive system to deep dentin

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the shear bond strength of composite resin to deep dentin, bonded using a self-etch adhesive, after treatment with two collagen cross-linkers at varying time intervals. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty extracted human incisors were sectioned longitudinally into equal mesial and distal halves (n = 60). The proximal deep dentin was exposed and the specimens were divided based on the surface treatment of dentin prior to bonding as follows: Group I (n = 12, control): No prior dentin surface treatment; group II (n = 24): Dentin surface pretreated with 10% sodium ascorbate; and group III (n = 24): Dentin surface pretreated with 6.5% proanthocyanidin. Groups II and III were further divided into two subgroups based on the pre-treatment time of five and 10 min. Shear bond strength of the specimens was tested using universal testing machine and the data were statistically analyzed. RESULTS: Significantly higher shear bond strength to deep dentin was observed in teeth treated with 10% sodium ascorbate and 6.5% proanthocyanidin compared to control group. No significant difference was observed between 5 min and 10 min pre-treatment times. CONCLUSION: Dentin surface pre-treatment with both 10% sodium ascorbate and 6.5% proanthocyanidin resulted in significant improvement in bond strength of self-etch adhesive to deep dentin.