Alpha-hydroxy glycolic acid for root dentin etching: Morphological analysis and push out bond strength

The purpose of this study was investigated the use of α-hydroxy glycolic acid as a dentin etchant for adhesive procedures in the root canal. The etching pattern of glycolic acid and mineral content distribution of root canal dentin were assessed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), respectively. The effect of glycolic acid surface etching on the push out bond strength of fiber post to root dentin was assessed using three adhesive systems: Single Bond Universal [SBU], Scotchbond Multipurpose [SBMP], and Ambar [AM]. The 37% phosphoric acid was used as a control group. The bond strength values were statistically compared using ANOVA/Fisher LSD tests (α = 0.05). SEM revealed similar etching patterns for phosphoric acid and glycolic acid. Both acids also shared similar interfacial morphology of the hybrid layer. EDS showed similar levels of Ca and Mg after treatment with glycolic acid when compared with phosphoric acid. When the P level was compared, it was observed that phosphoric acid caused greater removal of P. The push out bond strengths were statistically similar between glycolic acid and phosphoric acid in all groups (p > 0.05). Comparisons using post hoc Fisher LSD test showed that the bond strengths in the SBU and SBMP groups were not significantly different from each other (p > 0.05). The bond strength in the AM group was similar to that in the SBMP group (p > 0.05); however, it was significantly lower than that in the SBU group (p < 0.05). It can be concluded that the glycolic acid effectively etched root dentin surfaces, resulting in a surface pattern, hybrid layer, and push out bond strength similar to those produced by traditional phosphoric acid. Therefore, glycolic acid may be recommended as a suitable root dentin surface etchant for adhesive restorative procedures.