Bond strengths of one-step self-etch adhesives to laser-irradiated and bur-cut dentin after water storage and thermocycling.

OBJECTIVE The objectives of this study were to evaluate the microtensile bond strength (μTBS) of one-step self-etch adhesive systems to Er:YAG laser-irradiated and bur-cut dentin after water storage and thermocycling. BACKGROUND DATA The Er:YAG laser is a promising alternative method for cavity preparation; however, no study has compared the effect of laser irradiation and aging procedures on the adhesion of one-step self-etch adhesives to dentin. METHODS Seventy-two third molars were selected and randomly divided according to cavity preparation method (Er:YAG laser and bur-cut). One-step self-etch adhesive systems (Clearfil S(3) Bond, AdheSE One and Adper Easy One) were used to bond the composite to dentin. Following the adhesive procedure, the specimens were subdivided according to aging conditions (24 h in water control [C], 6 months of water storage [WS] and 10.000 thermocycles [TC]). The μTBS was determined in a universal testing machine. Three-way ANOVA, independent samples t test, and post-hoc comparisons test (α=0.05) were performed on all data. RESULTS There was no statistical difference in μTBS between Er:YAG laser-irradiated and bur-cut dentin (p>0.05). Similarly, no significant difference was found in μTBS between C, WS, and TC specimens (p>0.05). Moreover, Clearfil S(3) Bond presented the highest μTBS to dentin in both laser-irradiated and bur-cut cavity preparation methods. CONCLUSIONS Neither bur-cut nor Er:YAG laser-irradiated dentin was affected by the aging methods used to simulate degradation of the adhesive interface. Er:YAG laser treatment may be used as an alternative cavity preparation method.