Dentin Bond Strength of Experimental Composites Containing Bioactive Glass: Changes During Aging for up to 1 Year

Purpose: To investigate dentin bond strength of experimental composites based on a bis-GMA/TEG-DMA composite filled with a varying amount (0 to 40 wt%) of bioactive glass 45S5 (BG) at a total filler content of 70 wt%. Materials and Methods: Specimens for shear bond strength testing (diameter = 3.12 mm, height = 3 mm) were bonded to human dentin using a two-step self-etch adhesive and subjected to aging in water at 37°C for 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year. A total of 600 specimens were prepared (6 materials × 5 aging times × 20 specimens per experimental group). Bond strength was tested by loading specimens in a universal testing machine at a constant crosshead speed of 0.5 mm/min until fracture. Reliability analysis was performed using Weibull statistics. Results: Experimental composites with a low BG content (up to 5 wt%) showed dentin bond strength and reliability comparable to those of the commercial reference composite. A further increase in the BG amount diminished both bond strength and reliability. The bond strength decline was linearly dependent on the amount of BG when observed within each aging time. One-year aging in water caused no deterioration of bond strength, but diminished bond reliability. The reliability after 1-year aging was similar among all composites, including the commercial reference composite. Conclusion: The variation in BG amount diminished the bond strength and reliability in a dose-dependent manner. Keywords: dentin bond strength, shear bond strength, bioactive glass 45S5, reliability analysis, artificial aging