Effect of erosive challenge and Nd:YAG laser irradiation on bond strength of adhesive systems to dentin

Abstract Purpose To evaluate the effect of Nd:YAG laser irradiation and erosive challenge on bond strength of two adhesive systems to dentin. Methods Twenty bovine incisors were cut and grounded to obtain eighty slabs of flat dentin. Specimens were allocated into eight groups, based on: adhesive system—a two-step etch-and-rinse and a two-step self-etch; laser irradiation—Nd:YAG (1 W/10 Hz) or control (no laser irradiation); and erosive challenge after restorative procedure—presence or absence of erosive challenge. Nd:YAG laser groups were submitted to laser irradiation before the restorative procedure. Blocks of composite resin were built up on the bonded surfaces with a Southern Dental Industries device to perform shear bond strength (SBS) test. After, each specimen of erosive challenge, groups were subjected to immersion in Sprite Zero® (20 ml/2 h/24 °C/under agitation). The SBS test (0.5 mm/min) was performed after 24 h of water storage at 37 °C. Failure mode was evaluated with a stereomicroscope (X400). Data were analyzed with three-way ANOVA and Tukey’s post hoc tests (α=0.05). Results The etch-and-rinse adhesive system presented higher bond strength values than self-etch adhesive. Laser irradiation increased the bond strengths values when erosive challenge was present. The predominant failure mode observed was adhesive. Conclusions The irradiation of Nd:YAG laser positively influences the bond strength values when erosive challenges are present. Moreover, the etch-and-rinse adhesive system is a better option to be used in dentin in this clinical condition.