Effect of a re-wetting agent on bond strength of an adhesive to primary and permanent teeth dentin after different etching techniques.

OBJECTIVE This study investigated the effect of a re-wetting agent on the microtensile bond strengths (mTBS) of primary and permanent dentin after acid or laser etching. MATERIALS AND METHODS Twelve permanent and 12 primary molar teeth were ground to expose an occlusal dentin surface. Each group teeth were randomly divided into groups; I-II: 37% phosphoric acid etching with/without re-wetting agent, III-IV: Erbium: Yttrium aluminium garnet laser etching with/without re-wetting agent. An etch-and-rinse adhesive was used, and vertical sticks were obtained for the microtensile test. RESULTS mTBS of permanent teeth was higher than that of primary teeth (P < 0.05). Re-wetting agent groups were similar with control groups in both etching groups in the permanent teeth (P > 0.05). Re-wetting agent group was similar with the control group in acid etch group (P > 0.05) and lower than the control group in laser etch group in primary teeth (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION Acid etching in permanent teeth; laser etching in primary teeth was found more successful. The use of re-wetting agent did not provide an advance on bond strength of the adhesive in both primary and permanent teeth after acid-etch or laser-etch.