Purpose: To evaluate the micro-shear bond strengths to superficial coronal dentin and the floor of the pulp chamber using two dentin bonding systems and to compare the ultrastructure of the resin-dentin interface of the two regions.
Methods: 30 non-carious molars were used to obtain 2 mm thick slabs of coronal dentin and dentin at the pulp chamber. The specimens in each region were divided into three sub-groups to be bonded as follows; Clearfil SE Bond was used according to the manufacturer's instructions, Single Bond was applied to either wet dentin (Blot dry Group) or air-dried dentin (Dry Group) after phosphoric acid etching. A resin composite cylinder 0.5 mm high and 0.75 mm in diameter formed using a vinyl tube was bonded to the dentin. Specimens were stored at 37 degrees C for 24 hours in water and then stressed in shear at a crosshead speed of 1 mm/minute. The data were analyzed with one-way ANOVA and Fisher's PLSD test at the 5% level of significance. In addition, the ultrastructure of cross-sectioned dentin surfaces, the conditioned dentin surface and the resin dentin interfaces were observed by SEM.
Results: The bond strengths of Clearfil SE Bond and the Single Bond Blot dry group were approximately 40 MPa in coronal dentin and 30 MPa in the dentin at the floor of the pulp chamber respectively. However, the bond strengths of Single Bond were significantly lower in the Dry condition (MPa) (P < 0.05). SEM observations revealed the thickness of the hybrid layer created by Clearfil SE Bond in coronal dentin and at the floor of the pulp chamber were less than 1.0 microm thick. For Single Bond, a 3-4 microm hybrid layer was created in coronal dentin, while a thinner hybrid layer was observed in the floor of the pulp chamber. Morphological and structural variations in dentin may have influenced the bond strengths of the bonding systems to the floor of the pulp chamber.