Effect of the application of dentin primers and a dentin bonding agent on the adhesion between the resin-modified glass-ionomer cement and dentin

Objectives. This study was designed to evaluate the influence of the application of dentin primer and/or dentin bonding agent on the adhesion of a resin-modified glass-ionomer cement to dentin. Methods. Bovine dentin was pretreated with Dentin Conditioner or EDTA 3-2 solution, primed by an experimental dentin primer, and applied with a dentin bonding agent. A resin-modified glass-ionomer cement, Fuji II LC, was then adhered to the dentin. The tensile bond strength between the light-cured glass-ionomer cement and the pretreated dentin was measured. The components of the experimental dentin primers were 2-hydroxylethyl methacrylate (HEMA), glyceryl methacrylate (GM) and a water-soluble photo-polymerization initiator, 2-hydroxy-3-(3,4-dimethyl-9-oxo-9H-thioxanthen-2-yloxy)-N,N,N-trimethyl-1-propanaminium chloride (OTX). Significant differences in the data were examined by an analysis of variance and Scheffe's test for multiple comparisons between the means at p = 0.05. Results. A significantly higher mean bond strength between the Fuji II LC and dentin was obtained by EDTA 3-2 pretreatment, QTX/GM priming, and LB Bond application. This value was comparable with that obtained with the resin composite system. Scanning electron microscopy observation showed the formation of a hybrid layer with a thickness of 1-1.5 mu m. Significance. The data obtained in this investigation suggest that the adhesion of Fuji II LC to dentin is closer to that provided by a resin composite system than to that of conventional glass-ionomer cements. (C) 1999 Academy of Dental Materials. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.