Effect of the Dentin Chelating Agents Phytic Acid and EDTA on Degree of Conversion, Microhardness, and Bond Strength of Chemical-curing Self-adhesive Cements

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of the chelating agents phytic acid and EDTA on the degree of conversion (DC), microhardness, and tensile bond strength (TBS) of two chemical-curing self-adhesive cements. Materials and Methods: A total of 110 samples were prepared, with n = 6 in the control group to measure microhardness, n = 6 for DC measurement, and n = 10 for TBS measurement. The bovine dentin specimens were divided into five groups according to treatment: group A (control group): no treatment; group B, 1% phytic acid with ultrasonic rinsing (UR); group C: 1% phytic acid without UR; group D: 18% EDTA with UR; group E: 18% EDTA without UR. A 1-mm-thick coat of self-adhesive cement, G-CEM LinkAce (GC) or RelyX Unicem 2 (3M) was placed on control and treated dentin surfaces and stored in a dark box at 37°C, 93% ± 1% ambient humidity. DC and microhardness of cement surfaces were measured after 1 hour, 1 day, 3 days, and 1 week using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and a Vickers microhardness tester, respectively. TBS on treated and control dentin was evaluated after 1 week of storage in the dark box. Data were analyzed using two-way ANOVA, followed by Tukey's post-hoc test, at the 0.05 level of significance. Results: DC and microhardness of both types of cement without UR were significantly lower than that of groups in which UR was performed. Neither chelating agent had a significant effect on the TBS of G-CEM. For Rely X, the phytic acid treatment with UR showed a significantly higher TBS than the control and the EDTA groups. Conclusion: The chelating agents had a negative effect on DC and microhardness of the resin cements when UR was not used. Phytic acid increased the TBS of RelyX, while EDTA groups did not with either cement. Keywords: self-adhesive cements, chelating agents, degree of conversion, microhardness, tensile bond strength