Effects of etchants, surface moisture, and resin composite on dentin bond strengths

This in vitro study evaluated the effects of etchant type, surface moisture, and resin composite type on the shear bond strength of dentin adhesives. Three adhesives which bond to etched dentin were used in the study: All-Bond 2, Amalgambond, and Clearfil Photo Bond. Occlusal enamel was removed from 200 human molars to expose dentin. The dentin surfaces were etched, treated with a dentin adhesive system, and bonded with resin composite. After thermocycling and storage, the composite columns were fractured from dentin using an Instron machine. Bond strengths were calculated and subjected to a statistical analysis. Etchant type, surface moisture, and resin composite type all had significant effects on dentin bond strengths. Overall, the highest bond strengths were obtained with 10/3 etchant, moist dentin, and hybrid composite. The highest bond strengths for All-Bond 2 and Amalgambond were obtained by using the manufacturer's recommended etchant, moist dentin, and a hybrid composite. The mean bond strengths for All-Bond and Amalgambond under these conditions were 22.5 and 19.0 MPa, respectively. Clearfil Photo Bond had significantly lower bond strengths, but was relatively unaffected by changes in experimental conditions.     

Resin permeation into acid-conditioned, moist, and dry dentin: a paradigm using water-free adhesive primers

Preservation of the morphological integrity of demineralized dentin collagen in its hydrated state may account for the success observed in wet-bonding procedures. This study investigated the micromorphological differences between moist- and dry-bonding techniques with the use of: (a) Aelitebond, an alcohol-based, water-free, single-component dentin adhesive primer system; and (b) a water-free, acetone-based experimental primer similar to the acetone-based, water-containing All-Bond 2, a two-component primer system. In the wet groups, acid-conditioned dentin surfaces were blotted so that they remained visibly moist prior to bonding. In the dry groups, dentin surfaces were air-dried for 30 sec. Following the bonding procedures, dentin discs in each group were laminated together by means of a chemical-cure resin and processed for scanning electron microscope (SEM) and transmission electron microscope (TEM) examination. Conditioning with 10% H3PO4 for 20 sec. produced complete demineralization of the outer dentin. In the wet groups, banded collagen and interfibrillar spaces could be observed at the surface of the acid-conditioned dentin. Complete wetting of the loosely arranged collagen fibrils by the resin resulted in the formation of a hybrid layer. In the dry groups, only a very thin hybrid layer was observed on the dentin surface, along the walls of the tubules, and along the course of their lateral branches. The absence of banded collagen and interfibrillar spaces within these areas suggested the existence of a collapsed dentin matrix along various liquid-vapor boundaries that restricted resin permeation into the subsurface intertubular matrix, producing an incompletely infiltrated "hybridoid region".     

New England eye care survey

Amalgambond Plus with a high-performance additive was evaluated for its ability to bond a resin composite or an amalgam alloy to deep dentin in primary teeth with nonretentive cavity preparations. The clinical performance of amalgam and resin composite mesio-occlusodistal restorations bonded with Amalgambond Plus was evaluated at 15 months and 2 and 3 years. There was no statistically significant difference in the retention, marginal adaptation, secondary caries, and post-operative sensitivity over the times of the evaluation or between amalgam and resin composite restorations. After 3 years, most of the teeth were extracted because it was their exfoliation time, and 29 restorations limited within buccal and lingual cusps were evaluated for marginal leakage. There were no significant differences in microleakage between amalgam and resin composite restorations lined with Amalgambond Plus. Amalgambond Plus has the potential for serving successfully as a cavity liner with either amalgam or resin composite restorations.     

Dentastic bond strength to dentin

PURPOSE: To evaluate the shear bond strength to the dentin of permanent teeth and failure site of Dentastic hydrophilic dentin bonding agent. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty permanent noncarious molar teeth stored in distilled water were obtained. The teeth were cleaned with pumice and a rubber cup. The mesio-buccal surface of the teeth was ground flat with hand pressure with a series of SiC paper ending with the 600 grit to provide a uniform surface on dentin to which the resin composite could be applied. After preparing the tooth surface, the teeth were stored in distilled water for 48 hours. They were then divided at random into four groups of 10 specimens each: Group 1: Dentastic, five coats of primer; Group 2: Dentastic, three coats of primer; Group 3: Dentastic, five coats of primer, light-cured adhesive before resin bonding; Group 4: Dentastic, three coats of primer, light-cured adhesive before resin bonding. All specimens were thermocycled (500x) and sheared in a testing machine. After shear testing, the debonded sites of all samples were examined with a stereomicroscope and a scanning electron microscope. RESULTS: The results in MPa were: Group 1: 22.63 +/- 6.24; Group 2: 23.35 +/- 5.14; Group 3: 23.58 +/- 5.66; Group 4: 27.26 +/- 8.22. ANOVA and Student-Newman-Keuls showed no statistically significant difference between the groups. In all groups, all specimens failed at the dentin (dentin cohesive failure = dentin fracture) or at the resin (resin cohesive failure = resin fracture). This means that the bond strength of the product is stronger than the cohesive strengths of the dentin and the resin.     

Microleakage of dentin bonding systems used with spherical and admixed amalgams

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effectiveness of the dentin bonding systems (DBS) Tenure, Syntac, Amalgambond and All-Bond 2 using a resin-lined amalgam technique in preventing short-term microleakage in Class V cavity preparations restored with a spherical and an admixed alloy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Class V cavity preparations were made on the mesial and distal surfaces of non-carious human mandibular molars with the occlusal margins in enamel and gingival margins in cementum. Prepared teeth were randomly assigned to 12 treatment groups (n = 10) consisting of each DBS, no liner and Copalite for both amalgam alloys. Samples were thermocycled, stained and sectioned to evaluate microleakage. RESULTS: The DBS-lined restorations had significantly less microleakage at both occlusal and gingival margins than the Copalite and unlined restorations. Among DBS, Syntac had significantly more microleakage with both alloys than either All-Bond 2 or Amalgambond. These results do not totally correlate to a previous study which used the same experimental design but included viscous liners in addition to the same DBS, indicating a potential difference between resin-lined versus resin-bonded amalgam techniques in preventing microleakage.     

Bond strengths and SEM evaluation of Clearfil Liner Bond 2

PURPOSE: To evaluate a dental adhesive system that uses a single conditioning/primer agent. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-five flat enamel and dentin bonding sites were prepared to 600 grit on human molar teeth. The Clearfil Liner Bond 2 adhesive system was used to bond Clearfil AP-X composite to both enamel and dentin. After 24 hours of water storage, shear bond strengths were determined using an Instron testing machine. Fifty V-shaped cavity preparations were prepared in human molar teeth with an enamel and cementum margin. Composite restorations were placed using the new adhesive system. The teeth were stored for 24 hours, thermocycled, stained with AgNO3 , sectioned and examined for microleakage. SEM examinations were also completed to evaluate the effects of the treatment steps on enamel and dentin surfaces. RESULTS: Mean shear bond strengths for the experimental adhesive to enamel and dentin were 28.2 +/- 4.9 and 19.4 +/- 3.1 MPa. A t-test revealed that the enamel bond strength was significantly greater (P<0.05) than the dentin strength. No marginal leakage was observed from the enamel margins of the restorations. Three restorations showed minimal leakage from the cementum margins. SEM examinations showed resin penetration into both the conditioned enamel and dentin surfaces. The adhesive system produced high bond strengths to both enamel and dentin, exhibited very minimal microleakage and was easy to use.     

Preconditioning with 15-minute ischemia extends myocardial infarct size after subsequent 30-minute ischemia in rabbits

In an attempt to compare the morphology of the resin-dentin interface in areas where the dentinal tubules run perpendicularly or at an angle to the cavity surface with that of areas where they run parallel to it, we studied a dentin adhesive system using transmission electron microscopy and fluorescence confocal laser scanning microscopy. The design of the study included the simulation of the normal hydrostatic pressure within the pulp and the dentinal tubules. Following acid etching of the dentinal surface with maleic acid/HEMA, the smear layer was removed, and a superficial zone was demineralized in such a way that the exposed collagenous dentin matrix retained its integrity. Confocal laser scanning microscopal investigations using primer labeled with rhodamine B showed that the penetration of the primer occurred not only vertically via surface porosities, but mainly laterally, via the dentinal tubules. The adhesive resin labeled with fluorescein completely infiltrated the demineralized layer, thereby forming a hybrid layer. The orientation of the dentinal tubules had a profound effect on the formation of the hybrid layer. In areas with perpendicular tubule orientation, the layer was 3.2 +/- 0.8 microns thick, showing solid 27.2 +/- 0.8 microns long resin tags in the dentinal tubules, and a network of tiny tags in their side-branches. In areas with parallel tubule orientation the layer was significantly thinner (1.3 +/- 0.6 microns) and resin tags were absent.     

Bond strength of multi-step and simplified-step systems

PURPOSE: To measure and compare the in vitro shear bond strength (SBS) of the following three pairs of multi- and simplified-step dentin bonding systems: OptiBond vs. OptiBond FL, All-Bond 2 vs. One-Step, and Tenure vs. Tenure Quik. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 60 extracted human mandibular molars were sectioned perpendicular to the long axis 1 mm above the CEJ to expose the dentin bonding surface. After being wet-ground to 600 grit with SiC abrasive papers, rinsed and dried, the teeth were individually mounted in phenolic rings with epoxy resin, and randomly assigned into six equal groups of 10 each. The dentin surfaces were treated with the above mentioned dentin bonding systems, and a gelatin cylinder filled with resin composite (Pertac-Hybrid) was directly bonded to each pretreated surface. After 7-day storage in 37 degrees C water followed by thermocycling, the specimens were shear tested to failure on an Instron machine. Data were analyzed by independent t-tests, one-way ANOVA, and Duncan's Multiple Comparison tests at alpha = 0.05. RESULTS: Except for the pair Tenure/Tenure Quik, the differences between the pairs All-Bond 2/One-Step and OptiBond/OptiBond FL were statistically significant with All-Bond 2 and OptiBond FL yielding higher shear bond strength (P < 0.05). Findings of this study indicated that OptiBond FL was the only simplified-step system showing improved bond strength.     

Value of the search for anticardiolipin antibodies during the course of systemic lupus erythematosus

This study investigates the shear bond strengths (SBS) of different products used for bonding amalgam to dentine and the marginal seal provided by these materials. The SBS test was carried out by bonding cylinders of Dispersalloy amalgam to human dentine with an intermediate layer of Amalgambond Plus, All-Bond 2, Imperva Bond/Dual or Scotch Bond Multi-Purpose was first placed. Thereafter the samples were tested to failure in the shear mode. For the microleakage test, standardized class V cavities were prepared in human molars with one cavo margin abutting enamel and another dentine/cementum. Amalgam was condensed into the cavities, pretreated with one of the products mentioned above. In addition two further groups were prepared. One receiving treatment with Polyvar varnish and the other remained untreated as the control. Microleakage was assessed with a reflecting light microscope using I.S.O. criteria and the fracture sites and marginal gaps were examined in a scanning electron microscope. Results indicate that All-Bond 2 and Amalgambond Plus induced similar SBS and Scotchbond Multi-Purpose the weakest. At both enamel and dentine/cementum junctions resin bonding agents reduced microleakage. However, this reduction was greater at the enamel interface than at the other. Varnish allowed the greatest amount of marginal leakage and leakage was similar to the untreated control. Amalgam bonding agents are more effective at preventing marginal leakage at the enamel margin than at the dentine/cementum margin. Cavity varnish is not effective in preventing microleakage around amalgam restorations. There is a correlation between shear bond strength and marginal leakage. Materials giving the highest shear bond strength also exhibited the least marginal leakage. All-Bond 2, Amalgambond Plus and Imperva Bond/Dual are recommended to improve the seal around amalgam restorations.     

Shear bond strength required to prevent microleakage of the dentin/restoration interface

The purpose of this in vitro study was to determine the relationship between the shear bond strength [SBS] of seven dentin bonding systems to dentin and the quantitative microleakage [ML] of Class V preparations in dentin restored with these systems. The systems evaluated were All-Bond/Bisfil-P [A]; Syntac/Heliomolar [B]; XR-Bond/Herculite [C]; Scotchbond 2/Silux [D]; Denthesive/Charisma [E]; Prisma Universal Bond 2/Prisma AP.H [F]; and Tenure/Perfection [G]. The 115 specimens were removed from the assembly apparatus and stored in saline at 37 degrees C for 24 hours, the SBS determined and expressed in MPa. Fifteen Class V preparations in dentin were restored with each of the bonding systems, thermocycled 500x in 2% methylene blue solution between 50 degrees C and 8 degrees C, and the ML determined by means of a spectrophotometric dye-recovery method. The ML was expressed in microgram dye/restoration. The data were analyzed by ANOVA, Student-Newman-Keuls test, and linear regression analysis. The SBS in MPa were: A:17.2 +/- 3.6; B:15.9 +/- 2.1; C:15.4 +/- 3.7; D:11.6 +/- 2.2; E:10.7 +/- 3.7; F:10.4 +/- 2.5; G:8.2 +/- 3.9. The ML in microgram dye/restoration were: A:2.6 +/- 1.2; B:2.6 +/- 1.0; C:2.2 +/- 1.9; D:3.1 +/- 2.9; E:4.6 +/- 4.2; F:2.6 +/- 2.5; G:4.4 +/- 4.1. SBS = 20.91-2.60 [microgram dye]. The results suggest that a SBS of +/- 21 MPa may reduce ML to near zero.     

Bond strength and interfacial morphology of adhesives to primary teeth dentin

PURPOSES: To evaluate (1) the shear bond strength to the dentin of primary teeth and failure site of hydrophilic dentin bonding agents, (2) the interfacial micromorphology of these adhesives on primary teeth. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seventy-six primary noncarious molars stored in distilled water were obtained. The teeth were cleaned with pumice and a rubber cup. The mesio-buccal surface of the teeth was ground flat with hand pressure with a series of SiC paper ending with the 600 grit to provide a uniform surface on superficial dentin to which the adhesives and resin composite could be applied. After preparing the dentin surface, the teeth were stored in distilled water for 48 hours. They were then rinsed and dried with compressed air and divided at random into four groups of 16 specimens each: Group 1: Dentastic; Group 2: One-Step; Group 3: Prime & Bond 2.0; Group 4: Compoglass SCA. Z100 resin was used in all groups. All specimens were thermocycled (500x) and sheared in an Instron machine. After shear testing, the debonding sites of all samples were examined with a stereomicroscope and selected samples were also examined with the scanning electron microscope. Three additional samples per group were used to evaluate the resin adaptation to dentin. RESULTS: The results in MPa were: Dentastic 19.62 (4.67); One-Step 11.24 (3.67), Prime & Bond 22.38 (6.47), Compoglass SCA 18.88 (4.04). ANOVA (P < 0.0001) revealed that there was a significant difference between the groups. The Student-Newman-Keuls test (P < 0.05) showed no statistically significant difference between Dentastic, Prime & Bond and Compoglass SCA. However, these three groups were statistically significantly higher than One Step. In the Dentastic group, 14 of 16 samples revealed resin cohesive failure (resin fracture) while two of 16 displayed dentin cohesive failure (dentin fracture). In the One Step group, 15 samples failed at the resin and one sample showed dentin cohesive failure. In the Prime & Bond group, 12 specimens revealed resin cohesive failure while four displayed dentin cohesive failure. In the Compoglass SCA group, 13 samples had resin cohesive failures while three had dentin cohesive failures. All samples revealed an intimate adaptation to the dentin displaying resin tag formation.     

The influence of the depth of substrate dentin surface and thickness of the current restorative samples on bond strength

The effect of sample thickness and dentin depth on bond strength of composite, compomer and resin modified glass ionomer have been investigated. The occlusal surfaces of 84 non carious human third molars were used for bonding. 4 subgroups were tested, superficial dentin with sample thickness 1 and 2 mm and deep dentin with sample thickness 1 and 2 mm respectively SBMP + /Z 100 composite showed 26 +/- 3.2, 22.3 +/- 4.5, 17 +/- 3.2 and 21.8 +/- 4.2 MPa shear bond strength to S. dentin 1 mm, deep dentin 1 and 2 mm and S. dentin 2 mm respectively. Compoglass reported 10.4 +/- 1.57, 9.1 +/- 2.3, 5.0 +/- 0.6 and 9.24 +/- 3.1 MPa while, Vitremer achieved 4.7 +/- 0.49, 3.2 +/- 0.39, 3.0 +/- 0.81 and 3.2 +/- 0.53 MPa. It is concluded that the highest bond strength can be achieved to superficial dentin in thickness or increments not more than 1 mm. And that both dentin depth and sample thickness might influence the quality of the bond to dentin with an effect that varies from one material to another depending upon the mechanism of bond of each material and its chemical composition.     

Effects of N-methacryloyl amino acid applications on hybrid layer formation at the interface of intertubular dentin

To understand the role of NMAA in the bonding of composite resin to a dentin surface, we investigated the effects of N-methacryloyl amino acid (NMAA) application on the expansion of aggregated collagen fibers, formation of a hybrid layer, and the tensile bond strength between composite resin and dentin. Four NMAA derivatives--N-methacryloyl-alpha-glycine (NMGly), N-methacryloyl-gamma-amino n-butyric acid (NMBu), N-methacryloyl-alpha-hydroxyproline (NMHPro), and N-methacryloyl-alpha-glutamic acid (NMGlu)--were prepared and applied to dentin surfaces which had been etched with 40% by mass H3PO4 and air-blown. The shrunken collagenous layer expanded by approximately 50% to 70% by volume of the original collagenous layer thickness after application of the NMAA primers. Application of the bonding agent and composite resin after NMAA treatment resulted in the formation of a hybrid layer. The thickness of the hybrid layer was somewhat smaller than the collagenous layer formed by the NMAA treatment only, regardless of the type of NMAA used. The thickness of the hybrid layer was approximately ten times larger than that formed without NMAA treatment. Although all NMAA primers formed hybrid layers of similar thickness, higher tensile bond strengths, from 13 to 15 MPa, were obtained when etched and air-blown dentin was treated with NMBu, NMGly, or NMGlu. NMHPro gave only 6.6 MPa, a value similar to that obtained when no NMAA was used. We concluded, therefore, that formation of the hybrid layer is a necessary but insufficient condition for high bond strength.     

Bond strength to crown and root dentin

PURPOSE: To investigate (1) the tensile bond strengths of four commercial dentin bonding systems to bovine crown and root dentin and (2) the structure of the hybrid layers for each system bonded to the two dentin substrates. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Superficial surfaces were exposed in bovine crown and root dentin. The teeth were embedded in plaster and a 3 mm diameter bonding area was demarcated. The four bonding systems used were All-Bond 2, Super-Bond D-Liner Plus, Clearfil Liner Bond II, and ProBond. Bonding procedures followed the manufacturers' instructions with the exception of Super-Bond D-Liner Plus where the primer was left in situ for 60 seconds. Tensile bond strengths were tested after 24-hour storage in 37 degrees C deionized water. Specimens were also prepared for SEM observation of the hybrid layer, after treatment with 10% phosphoric acid, and 10% phosphoric acid and 5% sodium hypochlorite. RESULTS: Statistically lower bond strengths to crown dentin when compared with root dentin were observed for All-Bond 2, whereas Liner Bond II showed the opposite (P < 0.01). Both ProBond and Super-Bond D-Liner Plus showed no statistical differences between crown and root dentin (P > 0.05). Hybrid layers could be observed for All-Bond 2, Liner Bond II and Super-Bond D-Liner Plus, with no apparent differences between the hybrid layers of crown and root dentin. In the case of ProBond, where the smear layer was not removed during the priming stage, it appeared that the primer had infiltrated and caused hybridization of the smear layer. The differences in bond strength were thought to be related to the different bonding mechanisms of each material, as well as possible variations in the crown and root dentin substrates.     

Snow on cholera--the special lecture in the Second British Epidemiology and Public Health Course at Kansai Systems Laboratory on 24 August 1996

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the resin-dentin interfacial morphology and shear bond strength of several new and experimental dentin bonding systems classified as single-bottle/total etch, multi-step/total etch, and self-etching. Class 1 and 5 cavities were prepared from freshly extracted permanent molars and restored with composite resin. Each bonded sample was cross sectioned and one-half was completely demineralized and deproteinized, while the other half was polished along the cut surface to permit measurement of the thickness of resin-infiltrated dentin layer (RIDL) within intertubular dentin (iRIDL) and around the peritubular walls (pRIDL) of resin tags by SEM. Shear bond strength was measured for all the systems 2 minutes after photocuring. SEM showed iRIDL and resin tags of different morphology depending on material and dentin location. The iRIDL was thinner in superficial dentin and thicker in deep dentin. Peritubular RIDL (pRIDL) was thinner than intertubular RIDL. Bond strength measurements varied from 12 to 21 MPa, depending on the materials used. Self-etching primer systems exhibited the highest bond strength, although one of the one-step/total etch systems also yielded very high values. The contribution of pRIDL to adhesion onto superficial dentin is limited by the small number of tubules. Single-component bonding agents produced SEM morphology and bond strengths similar to those of multi-step systems. Self-etching systems, despite their limited RIDL thickness, produced the highest immediate bond strengths. Bond strength did not correlate well with the thickness and morphology of RIDL.     

Effects of aminobenzoic acid derivatives with 4-AET/HEMA in self-etching primer on bonding to ground dentin

The effect of the inclusion of aminobenzoic acid derivatives (ABAD) in a self-etching primer comprising 4-acryloxyethyltrimellitic acid (4-AET), HEMA and water on shear bond strength to ground dentin was investigated. The mean bond strengths to dentin were significantly increased by the inclusion of 0.307 mol% ABAD in the 4-AET/HEMA primer, when compared with the control (0 wt% ABAD) (p < 0.01). A particularly high value (38.0 MPa) of shear bond strength was obtained in the use of the primer containing p-nitroanthranilic acid (p-NAA). It seemed to assume that the effect of p-NAA could be caused by the strong electron-withdrawing group of -NO2. From SEM observation, it was found that bonding resin appeared to adhere strongly to the ground dentin without formation of any resin-tags in the dentinal tubules. It was thought that the ABAD with 4-AET/HEMA could perform facilitating photo-polymerization at the bonding interface, and resulted in increased bond strength to ground dentin, and that the bond strength could be affected by the electronegativities of substitutional groups of ABAD.     

Microleakage of new dentin bonding systems using human and bovine teeth

The objective of this study was twofold: to evaluate the microleakage behavior of three dentin bonding systems and to determine if bovine teeth are comparable substrates to human teeth when studying the microleakage of various materials. The materials evaluated were Scotchbond Multi-Purpose Adhesive, Prisma Universal Bond 3, and All-Bond 2. All three bonding systems were used in combination with Prisma APH hybrid composite for comparison of microleakage behavior. Sixty class 5 preparations were cut at the cementoenamel junction for groups containing 30 human and 30 bovine teeth. A 1 mm 45 degree bevel was placed at the enamel margin. Teeth were grouped according to the dentin bonding system used and then restored according to the manufacturer's directions. After restoration, the teeth from each group were stored in distilled water at 37 degrees C for 3 days. The teeth were then thermocycled between 4 degrees C and 58 degrees C for 100 cycles and returned to distilled water at 37 degrees C for an additional 4 days. The teeth were then sealed with nail polish up to 1 mm from the margins of the restoration and placed in 45Ca isotope for 2 hours. The teeth were then sectioned and placed on x-ray film to produce autoradiographs. Microleakage was evaluated for the enamel and dentin margins separately using the following scale: 0 = no leakage, 1 = penetration of isotope to less than 1/2 the distance to the axial wall, 2 = penetration of isotope greater than 1/2 of the distance to the axial wall but short of the axial wall, and 3 = penetration of isotope to the axial wall or beyond. The materials were compared to each other using the Mann-Whitney U and Kruskal-Wallis tests. The gingival margins were compared to the incisal margins for all materials. No statistically significant differences in microleakage were revealed between the incisal and gingival location for human substrates, but there was statistically significant greater gingival microleakage for bovine substrates. All-Bond 2 leaked significantly more than Scotchbond Multi-Purpose for human substrates at the incisal margin. All-Bond 2 had significantly more microleakage than Prisma Universal Bond 3 at both dentin and enamel margins for the bovine substrate. There were no statistically significant differences in microleakage among the bonding systems for the human substrate. No statistically significant differences between the microleakage behavior of human and bovine substrates were found. These results support the use of bovine teeth for in vitro microleakage studies.     

Retention of paraposts cemented with dentin-bonded resin cements

The main purpose of this study was to assess the retention of Paraposts cemented with dentin-bonded resin cements in single-rooted teeth with elliptical canals. Forty-two mandibular premolars and canines were used in this study. The crowns of these teeth were removed 1 mm above the cementoenamel junction and the root canals instrumented to a depth of 8 mm to receive size 5 Paraposts. Prepared teeth were divided into six equal groups. Each group was assigned to a different cementation system at random. The six cementation systems used were: Fleck's Cement, Universal Post Cementation Kit, Prisma Universal Bond 3/Biomer, Scotchbond 2/Resiment, All-Bond 2/All-Bond C & B Cement, and Scotchbond Multi-Purpose/Resiment. Following post cementation, the teeth were stored in water at 37 degrees C for 24 hours, after which the posts were subjected to uniaxial tensile force on a testing machine until post separation occurred. Paraposts cemented with Prisma Universal Bone 3/Biomer or with Scotchbond Multi-Purpose/Resiment had significantly greater separation forces than posts cemented with any of the other cementation systems. Adhesive failure of the posts occurred in all of the specimens of the resin cement groups, whereas cohesive failure of the cement occurred in the majority of the specimens of the zinc phosphate cement group. The effects of thermocycling and post length (5 mm versus 8 mm) on the retention of Paraposts cemented with dentin-bonded resin cements were also investigated. Neither thermocycling nor post length had a significant effect on post separation force.     

Effects of aging on tensile fatigue strength of bovine dentin

The effects of aging on the tensile fatigue strength of bovine dentin were investigated. Tensile tests and tensile fatigue tests were performed in 37 degrees C water with bovine dentin specimens of two different age groups. The tensile strengths of the young group and the adult group were 74.0 MPa and 72.7 MPa, respectively; there was no significant difference between the young and the adult group. However, the tensile fatigue strength of the adult group, 46.9 MPa, was significantly weaker than that of the young group, 51.0 MPa. There was a obvious difference between the tensile fracture surface and the tensile fatigue fracture surface; a smooth surface of the peritubular dentin and an uneven surface of the intertubular dentin were clearly distinct in the fatigue fracture surface. Plugged dentinal tubules and narrower dentin tubules were commonly observed in the adult group. These morphological changes were suggested to be the reason for the decrease in the tensile fatigue strength with aging.     

Effect of lactic acid and proteolytic enzymes on the release of organic matrix components from human root dentin

The mechanisms of organic matrix breakdown in the root caries process are not well understood. Therefore, the combined and separate effects of lactic acid and proteolytic enzymes on the degradation of human dentin collagen, glycoproteins, proteoglycans and phosphoproteins were investigated in the present study. Dentin powder was pretreated with lactic acid (pH 4.0), distilled and deionized (dd) water (pH 7.0) and EDTA/guanidine HCl (pH 7.4) for 24 h. Pellets of acid- or dd water-pretreated dentin powder were washed, dried, and then treated with trypsin, bacterial or mammalian tissue collagenase, or control buffer for 3 h. The released dentin proteins were analyzed by reducing sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and immunoblotting to identify degraded type I collagen, proteoglycans, glycoproteins and phosphoproteins. All water and acid pretreatment and enzyme treatment groups demonstrated two collagen fragment bands with molecular weights at approximately 79 kD. Further studies showed that the 79 kD proteins from acid-pretreated dentin collagen were degraded by tissue collagenase, suggesting that endogenous collagenase may be involved in the degradation of root dentin collagen. Dentin proteoglycans were detectable in all the treatment groups by protein slot blotting. Relatively few distinct glycoproteins and proteoglycans, and no phosphoproteins were detected by immunoblotting. Results from this study suggest that both acids and proteolytic enzymes from either host or microbial origin are important in the degradation of human dentin matrix and the mechanisms involved in the release of various noncollagenous proteins may be different.