Methods: 30 extracted human molars (15 with occlusal caries lesions, 15 with intact occlusal) were used. Following the removal of occlusal enamel surfaces, flat dentin surfaces were obtained and polished with # 600 silicon carbide (SiC) paper. Quadrant CariTest (Cavex) was used as a guide for caries removal. The samples were divided into three resin cement groups of 10 teeth each (5 intact, 5 caries-affected); Panavia F (Kuraray Co. Ltd, Osaka, Japan), BisCem (Bisco, Canada) and Superbond C&B (Sun Medikal Co.Ltd, Shiga, Japan). Resin cements were applied to occlusal dentin surfaces in 2mm thickness. The specimens were then stored in 37oC distilled water for 24 hours. For the MTBS tests, teeth were prepared into I-shape sections, top half consisting of resin cement and bottom of half consisting of dentin. After application of MTBS tests, bonded surfaces of specimens were examined by stereomicroscope for evaluation of failure modes. The bond strengths to dentin were calculated as MPa and statistically analyzed by ANOVA (p=0.05, n = 15).
Results: The results of this study indicate that the bond strength of Panavia F and Superbond C&B to both normal (11,74±4,40 ; 14,52±2,89, respectively)and caries-affected dentin (12,10±3,70 ; 17,02± 3,87, respectively)was not significantly different (p>0.05). The bond strength of BisCem was significantly higher to normal dentin (10,34±2,75)than to caries-affected dentin (4,64±1,66) (p<0.05)
Conclusion: Although Panavia F and Superbond C&B exhbited similar bond strengths to caries-affected dentin and intact dentin. BisCem showed lower bond trength to caries-affected dentin. Bond strength of the self-etch adhesive cements to caries-affected dentin changed according to the chemical composition of the material.