Bonding to
dentin with adhesive systems is affected by the tubular
fluid flow induced by pulpal pressure. The aim of this study
was to evaluate the effect of simulated pulpal pressure on
the microtensile bond strength of an adhesive to dentin
surface prepared by laser irradiation. Crowns of twenty
human extracted third molars were subjected to Er, Cr: YSGG
laser beams. Specimens were divided into two groups
according to pulpal pressure simulation. In the first group
resin composite (Z-250 Filtek) was bonded to flat surfaces
of samples using dentin bonding agent (Single Bond) under
simulated pulpal pressure. In the second group, the same
procedure was carried out without pulpal pressure
simulation. After storing the teeth in saline solution at
37˚C for 24 h, thirty 1-mm-thick slices were cut from the
samples in each group and subjected to bond strength test.
Microtensile bond strength was determined using a universal
testing machine at a crosshead speed of 2 mm/min.
Statistical significance was determined by T-test (p <
0.05). There was a statistically significant difference in
the mean microtensile bond strengths between the groups (p <
0.0005). Simulated pulpal pressure had a negative effect on
microtensile bond strength of laser ablated dentin when
Single Bond adhesive system was used.
Key
words: Bond
strength, laser treatment, pulpal pressure, resin composite.