The purpose of this study was to examine the microtensile bond strength of a single-step self-etch adhesive system (Clearfil tri-S Bond and One-Up Bond F Plus) to bovine dentin. Adhesive was applied to a flat dentin surface, and resin composite was bonded according to the manufacturers' instructions. After 24 h storage in distilled water at 37 degrees C, hourglass-shaped specimens were produced. These were subjected to microtensile bond strength testing at a cross-head speed of 1.0 mm/min. The results were analyzed using Student's t-test at a significance level of 0.05. Field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) observations of the fractured specimens and the adhesive-treated dentin surfaces were also conducted. The bond strength of Clearfil tri-S Bond was not significantly different from that of One-Up Bond F Plus, 41.1 +/- 10.1 versus 42.3 +/- 6.0 MPa. Mode of failure analysis for Clearfil tri-S Bond revealed an equal distribution between the three types of failure, and the predominant mode of failure was adhesive for One-Up Bond F Plus. FE-SEM observations of dentin to which adhesive had been applied revealed that the smear layer had been removed and the collagen fibers exposed.