This study investigated the effect of an aluminum chloride hemostatic agent on the shear bond strength (SBS) of a universal adhesive to dentin.

Eighty extracted human molars were trimmed at the occlusal dentin surfaces and divided mesiodistally. According to hemostatic agent application, specimens were randomly allocated into control (C) and hemostatic agent (Traxodent; H) groups. Each group was divided into 4 subgroups according to the adhesive system (n = 20): Scotchbond Multi-Purpose (SBER), Clearfil SE Bond (CLSE), All-Bond Universal etch-and-rinse mode (ALER), and All-Bond Universal self-etch mode (ALSE). SBS was measured for half of the specimens at 24 hours, and the other half were thermocycled in water baths (group T). Fracture surfaces were examined to determine the failure mode. The SBS was measured, and data were analyzed using 1-way analysis of variance, the Student’s t-test, and the Tukey honestly significant difference test (p = 0.05).

No significant differences in SBS were found between groups C and H for any adhesive system at 24 hours. After thermocycling, a statistically significant difference was observed between CT+ALSE and HT+ALSE (p < 0.05). When All-Bond Universal was applied to hemostatic agent-contaminated dentin, the SBS of H+ALSE was significantly lower than that of H+ALER (p < 0.05). The SBER subgroups showed no significant differences in SBS regardless of treatment and thermocycling.

When exposed dentin was contaminated by an aluminum chloride hemostatic agent before dentin adhesive treatment, application of All-Bond Universal in etch-and-rinse mode was superior to self-etch mode.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of multiple decontamination procedures for salivary contamination after curing of a universal adhesive on dentin bond strength according to its etch modes.

Forty-two extracted bovine incisors were trimmed by exposing the labial dentin surfaces and embedded in cylindrical molds. A universal adhesive (All-Bond Universal, Bisco) was used. The teeth were randomly divided into groups according to etch mode and decontamination procedure. The adhesive was applied according to the manufacturer's instructions for a given etch mode. With the exception of the control groups, the cured adhesive was contaminated with saliva for 20 sec. In the self-etch group, the teeth were divided into three groups: control, decontamination with rinsing and drying, and decontamination with rinsing, drying, and adhesive. In the etch-and-rinse group, the teeth were divided into four groups: control, decontamination with rinsing and drying, decontamination with rinsing, drying, and adhesive, and decontamination with rinsing, drying, re-etching, and reapplication of adhesive. A composite resin (Filtek Z350XT, 3M ESPE) was used for filling and was cured on the treated surfaces. Shear bond strength was measured, and failure modes were evaluated. The data were subjected to one-way analysis of variation and Tukey's HSD test.

The etch-and-rinse subgroup that was decontaminated by rinse, drying, re-etching, and reapplication of adhesive showed a significantly higher bond strength.

When salivary contamination occurs after curing of the universal adhesive, additional etching improves the bond strength to dentin.