OBJECTIVETo investigate the potential effect of proteoglycan (PG) and glycosaminoglycan (GAG) on the bonding of etch and rinse adhesive to dentin, in order to improve the bonding effect of dentin.

METHODSForty-two extracted molars were used to obtain standard dentin bonding surface, and the specimens were etched for 15 s with 37% phosphoric acid and divided into three groups using a table of random numbers. Then the three groups undergone different incubating procedures as follow: specimens in chondroitinase ABC (C-ABC) group were incubated with C-ABC at 37 °C for 48 h in vibrator. Specimens in trypsin (TRY) group were incubated with trypsin, and specimens in the control group were incubated with deionized water for 48 h in the oscillators. Then specimens in each group were randomly assigned into two subgroups, A (Adper(TM) Single Bond 2) and B (Prime & Bond NT) (n = 7). The microtensile bond strength (µTBS), fracture mode and bonding interface morphology of the specimens were evaluated via microtensile testing, stereo microscope and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) respectively after specimens being incubated in 37 °C water for 24 h.

RESULTSThe immediate µTBS of C-ABC group bonding with adhesive A and B [(32.9±2.5) and (26.8±2.2) MPa] were significantly lower than that of the control group [(40.7±3.3) and (34.6±3.7) MPa] (P < 0.05). While the immediate µTBS of TRY group [(49.0 ± 3.6) and (44.5 ± 3.0) MPa] were significantly higher than that of the control group(P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSDentin PG participates in the dentin bonding process. Removal of PG increased the immediate µTBS of dentin and total etching adhesives, while removal of GAG decreased the immediate µTBS.