Compatibility of Five Self-etching Adhesive Systems with Two Resin Luting Cements

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the compatibility between five self-etching bonding systems (SEBSs) and two resin luting cements (RLCs) assessed by use of an in vitro dentin shear bond test. Materials and Methods: The selected RLCs were: Variolink II in a dual-cure mode and Multilink in a self-cure mode. The SEBSs combined with the RLCs were: two one-step SEBSs (One Up Bond F and Xeno III) and three two-step SEBSs (Clearfil SE Bond, Unifil Bond, and Xeno III primer coupled with Clearfil SE Bond bonding resin as an experimental combination). One hundred fifty human molars were divided into ten groups of fifteen samples each. The samples were tested in shear after seven days of storage at 100% RH and 37°C. After each test, the failure mode was recorded. Results and conclusions: Significant differences in shear bond strength (SBS) were observed according to both the curing mode of the RLC and the adhesive. The one-step systems Xeno III and One Up Bond F revealed a total incompatibility when bonded with the chemical-curing RLC. Conversely, the two-step SEBSs were compatible with chemical and dual-curing RLC. Failure modes and shear values were in good agreement. A positive correlation was found between the pH of the tested adhesive solutions or resins and the SBS data. Keywords: resin luting cement, self-etching bonding system, shear bond strength, incompatibility