Effect of tooth age on bond strength to dentin.

This in vitro study evaluated the effect of tooth age on the tensile bond strength of Prime & Bond NT adhesive system to dentin. Human third molars from the five age groups were analyzed: A- 17 to 20yrs, B- 21 to 30yrs, C- 31 to 40yrs, D- 41 to 50yrs and E- 51 to 63yrs. The occlusal enamel was removed using a diamond saw under water cooling and the dentin surface was wet-ground with 600-grit SiC paper to obtain flat surfaces. The adhesive system was applied according to the manufacturer's instructions and a 6-mm high resin "crown" was built-up with resin composite. Teeth were stored for 24 hours in distilled water at 37ºC and prepared for micro-tensile testing. Each specimen was mounted in a testing jig attached to a universal testing machine and stressed in tension at a crosshead speed of 0.5mm/min until failure. The means of tensile bond strength were (MPa): A- 21.42 ± 7.52ª; B- 30.13 ± 10.19ª; C- 31.69 ± 11.78ª; D- 30.69 ± 8.47ª and E- 35.66 ± 9.54ª. No statistically significant difference was observed among the age groups (p > 0.05). The results suggested that the tensile bond strength of the adhesive system was not significantly affected by dentin aging.