Objectives
The aim of this study was to evaluate the bond strengths of one‐step self‐etch adhesives applied to primary tooth dentin with and without additional acid etching.
Materials and Methods
In total, 154 specimens were prepared using 50 naturally exfoliated primary molars. Four commercial one‐step self‐etch adhesives were used in this study: Scotchbond™ Universal, All‐Bond Universal™, Adper™ Prompt™ L‐Pop™, and Clearfil S3 Bond™. Two etch‐and‐rinse adhesives, Prime & Bond® NT™ and Scotchbond™ Multi‐Purpose, served as controls. Microtensile bond strength tests were performed for specimens treated with the one‐step self‐etch adhesives with and without additional acid etching and those treated with the two etch‐and‐rinse adhesives.
Results
All one‐step self‐etch adhesives except Adper Prompt L‐Pop exhibited increased microtensile bond strength values (p < 0.05) with additional acid etching. A nonsignificant interaction was observed between the type of self‐etch adhesive and additional acid etching (p = 0.056). Bond strength comparisons between the self‐etch adhesives used without additional acid etching and the etch‐and‐rinse adhesives revealed significantly higher values for Prime & Bond NT than for All‐Bond Universal® (p < 0.05). However, there were no significant differences between any etch‐and‐rinse adhesive and self‐etch adhesive used with additional acid etching, although Clearfil S3 Bond showed greater strength than Adper Prompt L‐Pop.
Conclusions
Our results suggest that additional acid etching increases the bond strength of most one‐step self‐etch adhesives applied to primary tooth dentin.
Clinical Significance
Additional acid etching of enamel and dentin can be recommended to increase the bond strength of one‐step self‐etch adhesives applied to primary teeth. (J Esthet Restor Dent 29:110–117, 2017)