Efficacy of accelerated aging methods to degrade the adhesive interface of dentin cavities bonded with etch-and-rinse adhesive systems

This study evaluated the bond durability produced by etch-and-rinse (E&R) adhesive systems in response to traditional and accelerated aging methods. Tridimensional dentin cavities were prepared on 80 bovine incisors, which were bonded with a 3-step E&R (Adper Scotchbond Multipurpose Plus – MP) and a 2-step E&R (Adper Single Bond 2 (SB) adhesive systems, and restored with composite. The samples were stored in water for 24 h, and then subjected to each of the aging methods (n = 10): control group – only 24-h storage (not exposed to additional aging), 6- and 12-month water storage, and 10% NaOCl storage. The push-out bond strength test was performed in a universal testing machine. Failure modes were evaluated by scanning electron microscopy. Data were analyzed by two-way ANOVA and Tukey tests (p < 0.05). Aging methods provided statistically similar bond strength for 3-step E&R adhesive system (p > 0.05). 10% NaOCl storage provides statistically similar bond strength values to 6- and 12-month water storage (p > 0.05), which were statistically lower than those provided by 24-h water storage (control group) (p < 0.05). Adhesive failures were more frequent. Aging methods provided different behaviors according to each adhesive system. The accelerated 10% NaOCl storage was effective to decrease bond strength only for 2-step E&R adhesive system.