Effect of açai berry extract application on the bond strength to the bleached enamel using an experimental etch-and-rinse adhesive

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the bleached enamel shear bond strength (SBS) after antioxidants application using an experimental adhesive. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Sixty sound human molars had their roots removed then cut into buccal and lingual halves and mounted in acrylic blocks. Enamel bleaching was done using an in-office chemical bleaching agent. Specimens were arbitrarily allocated into 12 groups (n=10) regarding the three experimental levels of the study: two antioxidant agents [10% açai berry extract, 10% sodium ascorbate prepared gels (applied for 15-min) and the control group (no antioxidant application)], two adhesive materials [commercial etch-and-rinse (ER) adhesive and an experimental ER adhesive] and two post-bleaching SBS testing times [24-h and 2-w]. Specimens were restored with a nano-hybrid resin composite restoration then stored in distilled water at 37◦C till SBS testing. RESULTS: Three-way ANOVA showed that the antioxidant agents, adhesive materials and the post-bleaching SBS testing times had a statistically significant effect on the bleached enamel SBS. Açai berry extract groups recorded the highest mean values, while the control groups demonstrated the least values with a statistically significant difference between the antioxidant agents’ groups. Commercial ER adhesive recorded statistically significant higher SBS values than the experimental adhesive and the 2-w post-bleaching SBS testing time demonstrated statistically significant higher SBS values than the 24-h groups. CONCLUSIONS: Açai berry extract is a powerful antioxidant agent, that has the potential to instantly restore the bleached enamel depleted SBS. The commercial adhesive has successfully restored the depleted SBS of the bleached enamel than the tested experimental adhesive. Key words:Antioxidant application, açai berry extract, etch-and-rinse adhesives, experimental adhesive, shear bond strength.