OBJECTIVETo observe the bonding interface of sclerotic dentin after treated with total-etching system and self-etching system by confocal laser scanning microscope (CLSM).

METHODSA total of 12 maxillary bicuspids with non-caries, natural cervical sclerotic lesions were divided into three groups. The sclerotic dentin was bonded with Single Bond (SB, total-etching adhesive), Clearfil SE Bond (CB, two-step self-etching) and Xeno III (XB, one-step self-etching) according to the manufacturer's instruction. Artificially prepared wedge-shaped lesions made in sound maxillary bicuspids and bonded with same adhesive were used as control. The primer component was labeled with Rhodamine B Isothiocyanate. Hybrid layer and resin tag of dentin bonding interface were observed by CLSM.

RESULTSTwo-way ANVOA revealed significant influence of both the type of dentin and the bonding adhesive systems tested on resin tag and hybrid layer (P<0.05). Resin tag and hybrid layer in total-etching adhesive (SB) were longer and thicker than in self-etching adhesive (CB, XB) whatever in normal dentin or sclerotic dentin, while the resin tag and hybrid layer thickness were similar in two kind self-etching adhesive (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe resin rags were fewer and shorter and the hybrid layers were thinner in sclerotic dentin than in normal dentin. When bonding the same type dentin substrate, the resin rags were shorter and the hybrid layer thinner in used self-etching adhesive than total-etching.