saliva contaminated and re-etched all-in-one adhesive: influence on bond strength

introduction in this study, we have investigated the effect of using phosphoric acid on bonding efficacy of an all-in-one adhesive system, after salivary contamination of dentin. methods and materials eighty-four extracted human molars were prepared for their superficial dentins to be exposed. the molars separated into 7 groups. group 1 specimens were not contaminated. in groups 2-4, samples were contaminated with fresh human saliva after applying and before curing the adhesive (in group 2, adhesive was rinsed, in group 3, adhesive was not rinsed, and in group 4, after rinsing the adhesive, phosphoric acid was applied, and then rinsed). in groups 5-7, contamination was done after adhesive curing (in group 5, only rinsing, in group 6, rinsing, and adhesive reapplication, and in group 7, rinsing, using phosphoric acid, rinsing and adhesive reapplication. shear bond strength was measured and analyzed. results there were statistically significant differences between group means, except groups 3 and 5. groups 1 and 4 demonstrated higher bond strength than other groups. discussion using phosphoric acid may be effective, provided that the contamination occurs prior to curing of the adhesive. key words saliva contamination, all-in-one adhesive, dentin, bond strength.