OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of radicular dentin treatments of sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) on the regional root canal bonding interface of quartz fiber posts using 2 luting materials with SEM analysis.

METHODSNine intact maxillary central incisors were sectioned and endodontically treated. Standardized post space preparations and acid etch were performed. All specimens were randomly divided into 3 groups (n = 3). D.T.LIGHT posts were placed into the root canal using one of three radicular dentin treatments (0.9% NaCl for 60 s, 10% NaOCl for 60 s, 17% EDTA for 60 s followed by 5.25% NaOCl for 60 s) in combination of one of two luting materials (DuoLink, LuxaCore) respectively (factorial design). Cervical, middle, apical sections of each teeth are used for SEM study and spectroscopy of dispersion energy (EDS) microanalysis.

RESULTSWith the radicular dentin treatment with 10% NaOCl alone or with 17% EDTA followed by 5.25% NaOCl, longer and increased number of penetration of resin tags into the dentinal tubules were observed at the resin-dentin interfaces, and adhesive lateral branches could be found easily. EDS microanalysis showed increase in the infiltration behavior of the luting cement.

CONCLUSIONSRadicular dentin treatments provide good resin infiltration, which can produce a three-dimensional interlocking micronetwork of resin tags in the dentin tubules with multiple lateral branches that penetrate the intertubular dentin, thus positively influence the adhesion between dentin and the luting materials.