A comparison of five adhesive systems to primary enamel.

PURPOSE This study compared resin adhesion of five adhesive systems to primary enamel. METHODS The labial surfaces of 115 bovine mandibular primary incisors and five different adhesive systems were used. Effects of tooth surface conditioners were observed using SEM. Shear bond strengths were tested, and the test surfaces of enamel and resin specimens were observed using SEM. RESULTS All-Etch, 10-3 solution, and K-etchant were effective tooth surface conditioners. In the nonthermocycled groups, the bond strengths of Superbond D Liner, All Bond 2, and Scotchbond Multi Purpose adhesive systems were significantly higher than those of Ketchant/Clearfil Photo Bond, and Clearfil Liner Bond adhesive systems (P < 0.01). However, in the thermocycled groups, no significant difference was obtained among the adhesive systems for bond strength. No correlation was found between the enamel-resin fracture mode and bond strength for any of the adhesive systems. CONCLUSIONS We disagree with the theory that the use of the latest developed adhesive resin systems significantly enhance bonding of resin to primary enamel.