Elemental distributions and microtensile bond strength of the adhesive interface to normal and caries‐affected dentin

The aim of this study was to evaluate the microtensile bond strength (μTBS) and the elemental contents of the adhesive interface created to normal versus caries‐affected dentin. Extracted human molars with coronal carious lesions were used in this study. A self‐etching primer/adhesive system (Clearfil Protect Bond) was applied to flat dentin surfaces with normal and caries‐affected dentin according to the manufacturer's instructions. After 24 h water storage, the bonded specimens were cross‐sectioned and subjected to a μTBS test and electron probe microanalysis for the elemental distributions [calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), magnesium (Mg), and nitrogen (N)] of the resin–dentin interface after gold sputter‐coating. The μTBS to caries‐affected dentin was lower than that of normal dentin. The demineralized zone of the caries‐affected dentin–resin interface was thicker than that of normal dentin (approximately 3 μm thick in normal dentin; 8 μm thick in caries‐affected dentin), and Ca and P in both types of dentin gradually increased from the interface to the underlying dentin. The caries‐affected dentin had lost most of its Mg content. The distributions of the minerals, Ca, P, and Mg, at the adhesive interface to caries‐affected dentin were different from normal dentin. Moreover, a N peak, which was considered to be the collagen‐rich zone resulting from incomplete resin infiltration of exposed collagen, was observed to be thicker within the demineralized zone of caries‐affected dentin compared with normal dentin. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater 72B: 268–275, 2005