To evaluate the shear bond strength and interfacial morphology of sound and caries-affected dentin (CAD) bonded to two resin-modified glass ionomer cements (RMGICs) after 24 hours and two months of storage in simulated body fluid at 37°C.
Sixty-four permanent human mandibular first molars (32 sound and 32 with occlusal caries, following the International Caries Detection and Assessment System) were selected. Each prepared substrate (sound and CAD) was conditioned (10% polyacrylic acid) and bonded to Activa BioACTIVE Restorative (Activa) and Fuji II LC (F2LC) as per the manufacturers’ instructions. Shear bond strength (SBS) was performed after 24 hours and two months of storage. The interfacial surfaces were examined using a digital microscope and scanning electron microscope (SEM). Three-way ANOVA, Bonferroni post-hoc tests (α=0.05), and independent T-tests were used for multifactorial analysis.
Activa exhibited reduced bond strength values to sound and CAD in comparison to F2LC after two time periods (p=0.01). There is a pronounced enhancement in SBS of F2LC when bonded to CAD (p=0.01) after storage, with no statistically significant effect on sound dentin (p=0.309). Activa showed stable SBS to sound and CAD immediately and post-aging (p>0.05). However, the evidence of mineral-like deposits under an SEM attached to the aged, debonded dentin surfaces, thereby obliterating the exposed dentinal tubules, might support the tissue repair potential of Activa.
The SBS of Activa was lower than F2LC when bonded to sound and CAD, but the bonding stability and sealing ability is advantageous in minimally invasive therapy, suggesting use with a resin composite coverage when used in stress-bearing areas.
