Bond strength and adhesive interface analysis using EDTA as a dentin conditioner

This study evaluated dentin bond strength and dentin-resin interfacial morphology using phosphoric acid etching and EDTA-conditioning. The occlusal enamel of twenty-four human third molars was removed to expose the dentin surfaces, which were polished with a SiC paper (600 grit). Teeth were randomly divided into three groups (n = 8): etching with 37% phosphoric acid (15 s), conditioning with 0.1 M EDTA (60 s) and 0.5 M EDTA (120 s). Adhesive (XP Bond, Dentsply) was applied and three layers (2 mm each) of composite (EsthetX, Dentsply) were placed and light-activated separately (20 s). Teeth were sectioned to obtain specimens for the microtensile bond strength test (1 mm(2) at cross section). Half of the specimens was tested in a universal testing machine (EZ Test, Shimadzu) after 24 h and the other half after storage for 10 months. Failure mode and adhesive interface were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy. Data were analyzed by mixed models for repeated measures (PROC MIXED) and Tukey-Kramer test, considering a significance level of 5%. Mean bond strength values (SD) after 24 h and 10 months were, respectively (in MPa): phosphoric acid: 37.3 (7.7) / 33.9 (6.7); 0.1 M EDTA: 14.7 (7.3) / 15.1 (10.1); 0.5 M EDTA: 25.1 (7.7) / 21.1 (14.1). Dentin treatment with EDTA and phosphoric acid resulted in hybrid layer and resin tags formation. Mixed failures were prevalent for all groups tested after 24 h. Storage for 10 months changed the failure mode for the 0.5 M EDTA group to adhesive failure (between dentin and bonding agent). EDTA applied for 60 s yielded lower bond strength results compared to phosphoric acid and EDTA (120 s), but there was no significant reduction after 10 months of storage for any of the tested groups.