Influence of additional acid etch treatment on resin cement dentin infiltration

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of this study was to compare the penetration of a resin cement into dentin surfaces pretreated with self‐etching primer with or without conventional acid etch. Materials and Methods Dentin surfaces of 8 unerupted human third molars were treated with self‐etch primer (Panavia 21; Kuraray Co, Ltd, Osaka, Japan) with or without conventional acid etch treatment. A resin cement (Panavia 21) was applied according to manufacturer's instructions. Dentin/resin cement interface sections from each tooth were examined with light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. In the light microscopy sections, exposed protein at the dentin/cement interface was stained a distinct red with Goldner's trichrome. Results The resin cement did not penetrate the depth of the zone of demineralized dentin when the self‐etch primer was used in combination with conventional acid etch treatment. Inadequate resin cement penetration leaves a substantial area of exposed protein at the dentin/cement interface. In contrast, there was complete resin cement diffusion throughout the demineralized dentin when the self‐etch primer was used without acid etching. Conclusions Combining conventional acid etch treatment with a self‐etching primer/resin cement system resulted in incomplete resin cement penetration and exposed protein at the dentin/cement interface.