journal article·2026-06-29Open access

A Multimodal Assessment of a New Self-Adhering Flowable Composite: Dental Pulp Stem Cell Viability and Bond Strength

Jiayuan Zhang, Chiharu Kawamoto, Ryotaro Yago, Hidehiko Sano, Fumiko Minowa, Asiful Islam, Rin Miyake, Yunqing Liu, Atsushi Tomokiyo

Abstract

Self-adhering flowable composites (SAFCs) were developed to simplify restorative procedures by eliminating separate adhesive steps; however, their bonding performance, mechanical properties, and biological properties remain controversial. This study evaluated a newly developed SAFC (SA-100R) compared with three commercial SAFCs (Fusio Liquid Dentin, Constic, and Vertise Flow) and a conventional composite (Clearfil AP-X used with a two-step self-etch adhesive). Microtensile bond strength (μTBS) to dentin, failure modes, Knoop microhardness, resin–dentin interfacial morphology (SEM), elemental composition (EDX), and cytocompatibility (CCK-8, LIVE/DEAD staining) were assessed. The conventional composite system exhibited significantly higher µTBS than all SAFCs (p < 0.05). Among SAFCs, SA-100R showed the highest bond strength and no pre-testing failures. SEM revealed abundant resin tag formation only in the conventional system, while all SAFCs showed interfacial gaps, with SA-100R exhibiting the least pronounced gaps. SA-100R showed no significant cytotoxic effects across all tested concentrations. Within the limitations of this short-term in vitro investigation, SA-100R demonstrated improved bonding performance and favorable biocompatibility compared with existing SAFCs, suggesting its potential as a simplified restorative material. However, the conventional adhesive/composite system remains the reference standard for dentin bond strength, and long-term clinical performance remains to be established through further studies.
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Research context

OpenAlex topics: Dental materials and restorations · Endodontics and Root Canal Treatments · Dental Erosion and Treatment

SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.

Affiliations

Department of Restorative Dentistry, Faculty of Dental Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 0608586, Japan

Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150086, China

Department of Stomatology, The Forth Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150001, China

Heilongjiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Hard Tissue Development and Regeneration, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150086, China

Funding

Japan Society for the Promotion of Science · Japan Science and Technology Agency

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