Investigating a Commercial Functional Adhesive with 12-MDPB and Reactive Filler to Strengthen the Adhesive Interface in Eroded Dentin

To compare the adhesive interface of eroded dentin formed by a functional dental adhesive and a gold standard strategy, by testing microtensile bond strength (mu TBS), hardness/elastic modulus. Permanent sound human molars were randomly allocated to four experimental groups, all subject to artificial erosion (0.05 M citric acid; 3x daily, 5 days). Groups included control Clearfil SE Bond 2 (CFSE), and experimental group Clearfil SE Protect (CFP), at two different time points-immediate (24 h) and long term (3 months-3 M). Samples were sectioned into microspecimens for mu TBS (n = 8) and into 2-mm thick slabs for nanoindentation assays (n = 3). Groups CFSE_3M and CFP_3M were stored in artificial saliva. Statistical analysis included two-way ANOVA for mu TBS data, while hardness/modulus results were analyzed using Kruskal-Wallis H Test (significance level of 5%; SPSS v.27.0). Although no significant differences were found between mean mu TBS values, for different adhesives and time points (p > 0.05), a positive trend, with mu TBS rising in the CFP_3M group, was observed. Regarding hardness, no significant differences were seen in the hybrid layer, considering the two variables (p > 0.05), while the reduced elastic modulus rose in CFP_3M when compared to 24 h. Thus, CFP shows similar mechanical and adhesive performance to CFSE in eroded dentin, although it may comprise promising long-term results. This is advantageous in eroded substrates due to their increased enzymatic activity and need for remineralization.

Automated summary

Comparing the adhesive interface of eroded dentin, the study found that Clearfil SE Protect exhibited similar mechanical and adhesive performance to Clearfil SE Bond 2, with promising long-term results in eroded dentin due to increased enzymatic activity and the need for remineralization.