Effect of Ferric Chloride/Citric Acid/Phosphoric Acid Conditioner on Adhesion of 4-META/MMA-TBB Resin to the Tooth.

The aim of this study was to examine the effects of ferric chloride/citric acid/phosphoric acid conditioners on the surface morphology of enamel and dentin and on the adhesion of 4-META/MMA-TBB resin to conditioned tooth surfaces. Seven conditioners, including phosphoric acid and its mixture with citric acid and ferric chloride, were prepared and used for treating bovine teeth before bonding with the resin. The effects of the conditioners on the surface morphology and adhesion were examined by scanning electron microscopy and by atomic force microscopy and by tensile bond strength tests, respectively. The maximum bond strengths to tooth surfaces were obtained by using 3% ferric chloride/5% citric acid/10% phosphoric acid conditioner. Thus, enamel and dentin can be treated simultaneously with this conditioner before bonding with the 4-META/MMA-TBB resin system.