Seventy-five extracted human permanent molars were embedded in brass cups with cold-cure acrylic. Immediately prior to the preparation of a test specimen, the occlusal surface was ground wet on 180 followed by 600 grit SiC to expose dentin. The Scotchprep Dentin Primer was applied to the dried dentin surface with a brush for 60 seconds, and dried with compressed air for 15 seconds. The tooth was mounted in a special device containing a split Teflon mold with a circular hole, 3.5 mm in diameter and 5 mm deep, and A:0.5 microL (50 microns), B:1.0 microL (100 microns), C:2.5 microL (250 microns), D:5 microL (500 microns) or E:10 microL (1000 microns) Scotchbond 2 pipetted into the teflon mold. The adhesive was cured by visible light for 30 seconds. Three increments of Silux were transferred to the Teflon mold, compressed firmly, and each cured for 30 seconds. The test specimens were disassembled 15 minutes after cure and stored in distilled water at 37 degrees C for 24 hours. A shear load was applied via a knife-edge rod in an Instron machine. The shear bond strength was expressed in MPa. The data were analyzed by ANOVA and Duncan's multiple range test. The mean (+/- SD) of the shear bond strengths were: A: 8.8 (3.5), B: 7.9 (2.7), C: 6.8 (2.5), D: 8.1 (4.2), E: 5.3 (2.4). Adhesive thickness from 50 microns to 500 microns (A, B, C and D) had no significantly different effect on shear bond strength. An adhesive thickness of 1000 microns resulted in a significant reduction in shear bond strength.