Bonding of Adhesive Luting Agents to Caries-affected Dentin Induced by a Microcosm Biofilm Model

SUMMARY Objectives To evaluate the bond strength of adhesive luting agents applied to caries-affected dentin (CAD). Methods Thirty-six noncarious human third molars were abraded to expose an occlusal dentin surface. Caries lesions were induced in half of the samples using a microcosm biofilm model. Biofilm was cultivated under an anaerobic atmosphere for 14 days in a medium enriched with mucin. The same medium containing 1% sucrose was alternated for 4 hours per day. Cylinders of resin cement (RelyX ARC, RelyX U200, or BisCem) were built up over the dentin substrate and submitted to shear bond load. The samples were then longitudinally sectioned. The hardness and elastic modulus of dentin were measured at different depths from the occlusal surface. A three-dimensional finite element simulation was performed to analyze the residual stress distribution during the shear bond strength test. Bond strength data were analyzed by two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and hardness and elastic modulus by split-plot ANOVA. Multiple comparisons were performed with the SNK test (α=0.05). Results For all cements, the highest bond strengths were observed in sound dentin. Relyx ARC bond strength was similar to that of RelyX U200 for both substrates; BisCem had the lowest values. CAD had lower hardness (above a depth of 100 μm) and elastic modulus (above a depth of 150 μm) values than sound dentin. Stress distribution during the bond strength test was similar under all experimental conditions. Conclusion Impairment of the mechanical properties of dentin promoted by carious lesions reduced the bond strength of adhesive luting agents.