Microtensile Bond Strength of Etch-and-Rinse and Self-etching Adhesives to Intrapulpal Dentin After Endodontic Irrigation and Setting of Root Canal Sealer

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of endodontic irrigation regimens and calcium hydroxide root canal sealer (Sealapex) on the microtensile bond strengths (µTBS) of dual-curing resin composite (Clearfil DC Core Automix) to the intrapulpal dentin. Materials and Methods: Forty standardized coronal-half root canal dentin specimens obtained from human premolars were divided into 4 groups: group A, no treatment (control); group B, Sealapex; group C, NaOCl/Sealapex; group D, EDTA/NaOCl/Sealapex. After 7 days of storage in 100% relative humidity, Sealapex was removed. Dentin surfaces were bonded with adhesives, either etch-and-rinse (Single Bond) or self-etching (Clearfil SE Bond), and built up with resin composite. The bonded specimens were trimmed into an hourglass shape with a 1-mm2 cross-sectional area for microtensile testing (n = 20). The µTBS to intrapulpal dentin was analyzed using two-way ANOVA and Dunnett's TC test. Two teeth of each group were prepared for micromorphological analysis of dentin surface. Results: The root canal sealer with or without endodontic irrigation significantly affected the bond strengths of resin composite to intrapulpal dentin compared with the control group (p 0.05). There were no significant differences in µTBS of each experimental group between etch-and-rinse and self-etching adhesives (p > 0.05). The dentin surface was covered with a mud-like material after sealer application for 7 days. Conclusion: The root canal sealer reduced the µTBS of dual-curing resin composite with etch-and-rinse and self-etching adhesive systems to intrapulpal dentin. Treatment with EDTA followed by NaOCl prior to obturation caused an additional reduction in µTBS of both adhesive systems to intrapulpal dentin. Keywords: endodontic irrigation, root canal sealer, intrapulpal dentin, microtensile bond strength