Influence of different conditioning methods on immediate and delayed dentin sealing.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: Data are needed to evaluate the effect of various conditioning methods on immediate and delayed dentin sealing. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to test bond strength and surface configuration of immediate and delayed dentin sealing surfaces after applying different surface conditioning methods. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 96 premolars were allocated to the immediate and delayed groups. The groups differed in the timing of dentin sealing. The immediate-group specimens were sealed with a self-etching adhesive immediately after preparation. The delayed-group specimens were sealed before the final ceramic restoration bonding. Provisional restorations were cemented on immediate-group and delayed-group specimens for 1 week. Four conditioning methods were used: polishing with fluoride-free pumice paste, airborne-particle abrasion with silicoated aluminum oxide, glycin, or calcium carbonate. After 24-hour storage, the shear bond strength was tested. The fractured specimens were optically inspected with a stereomicroscope. An optical 3-dimensional surface analysis was performed for quantitative and qualitative evaluation. A 2-way ANOVA with post hoc Tukey honestly significant difference tests for significant effects was performed to investigate effects of the 2 factors, sealing and conditioning, and their interaction (alpha=.05). RESULTS: Two-way ANOVA found significant differences between the sealing and conditioning groups. The immediate group had significantly lower bond strengths than the delayed group. In all groups, surface polishing produced the highest bond strengths, and airborne-particle abrasion with calcium carbonate produced the lowest. Fracture analysis found more failures in the adhesive layers in the immediate groups and a prevalence of mixed failures in the delayed groups. The surface analysis found significant abrasion and roughness when airborne-particle abrasion with silicoated aluminum oxide was used for immediate and delayed dentin sealing surfaces. CONCLUSIONS: Polishing and airborne-particle abrasion with silicoated aluminum oxide or glycin are efficient methods in conditioning immediate and delayed dentin sealing surfaces. Airborne-particle abrasion with silicoated aluminum oxide leaves significant surface alterations on both types of surfaces.