OBJECTIVETo evaluate the adhesive interface and micro-tensile bond strength (μTBS) of infiltrating resin directly bonded to normal dentin.

METHODSTwenty extracted human molars were collected and ground to expose fresh dentin surface. An infiltrating resin (ICON, DMG, Germany) was served as experimental group and Clearfil SE Bond adhesive (Kuraray, Japan) as control group. Following the application of primer (Kuraray, Japan), the specimens were applied infiltrating resin or adhesive respectively and blocks of composite resin were built up. The adhesive interfaces were observed using scanning electron microscope (SEM) and the μTBS was measured by micro-tensile test before and after thermal cycling.

RESULTSThe infiltrating resin could penetrate into micro-structure of dentin created by SE Bond primer. A layer of about 180 μm-long and dense resin tags was observed under SEM in infiltrating resin group. The μTBSs were (35 ± 10) MPa before and (35 ± 9) MPa after thermal cycling respectively in infiltrating resin group, and the difference was not statistically significant (P>0.05). The μTBSs were (38±8) MPa before and (24±7) MPa after thermal cycling respectively in control group, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). After thermal cycling, the μTBS of infiltrating resin group was significant higher than that of control group.

CONCLUSIONSThe infiltrating resin could penetrate into the micro-structure of dentin created by SE Bond primer. The bond strength and the bonding durability of infiltrating resin were similar to that of SE Bond adhesive.