Influence of self-etch all-in-one adhesives on fissure sealant shear bond strength under contaminated enamel conditions

Aim To determine the influence of two all-in-one self-etching adhesive systems on shear bond strength of a fissure sealant applied under different enamel surface conditions. Methods A total of 180 bovine enamel specimens were randomly distributed to nine experimental groups, defined by the combination of the sealant application technique (using phosphoric acid, or a self-etching water-based adhesive or a self-etching ethanol and water-based adhesive) and enamel surface conditions (dry enamel, saliva or water contaminated enamel). The specimens were submitted to thermocycling prior to the shear bond strength test. Results High shear bond strength mean values were obtained with the classic technique for dry enamel (31.47 MPa), statistically similar values were obtained when the sealant was combined with a self-etching water-based adhesive, in dry enamel (32.36 MPa), and when the sealant was combined with a self-etching water-based adhesive in water contaminated enamel (32.62 MPa). Under enamel salivary contamination, the best results were achieved using a water-based adhesive (24.78 MPa). Conclusions In saliva contaminated enamel, the combination of a sealant with a water-based self-etching adhesive can maintain high and satisfactory values of bond strength.