Bonding performance of universal adhesives on composite repairs, with or without silane application

AIM: This study aims to investigate the adhesive performance of three different universal adhesives to repair aged composite restorations, with or without the application of silane. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A hundred and twenty resin composite samples were prepared, aged and randomly divided into 6 main Groups (single bond universal [SBU], All-Bond Universal [ABU], Futurabond U, Clearfil Tri-S Bond, Single Bond 2, and Clearfil SE Bond) and 2 subgroups (with or without silane). A microhybrid composite resin was placed on the aged composite surfaces and light cured. After a micro-shear bonding test, the fracture surfaces were examined under the scanning electron microscopy. Statistical analysis was performed using two-way ANOVA and Tukey's post hoc tests. RESULTS: Among all the universal adhesives, SBU showed the highest bond strength values compared to the other two universal adhesives when used with and without silane (P > 0.05). Between ABU and Futurabond U, no significant difference was observed with silane (P > 0.05) and without silane (P > 0.05). Among conventional adhesives, there was no statistically significant difference (P > 0.05) both with and without silane. CONCLUSION: Within the limitations of this study, while SBU can be safely used with and without the application of silane, Futurabond U cannot be used without silane.