In this study, the changes in the degree of conversion (DC) and the microtensile bond strength (MTBS) of self-etching adhesives to dentin was investigated according to the time after curing. The MTBS of Single Bond (SB, 3M ESPE, USA), Clearfil SE Bond (SE, Kuraray, Japan), Xeno-III (XIII, Dentsply, Germany), and Adper Prompt (AP, 3M ESPE, USA) were measured at 48h, at 1 week and after thermocycling for 5,000 cycles between 5℃ and 55℃. The DC of the adhesives were measured immediately, at 48h and at 7 days after curing using a Fourier Transform Infra-red Spectrometer. The fractured surfaces were also evaluated with scanning electron microscope. The MTBS and DC were significantly increased with time and there was an interaction between the variables of time and material (MTBS, 2-way ANOVA, p = 0.018; DC, Repeated Measures ANOVA, p < 0.001). The low DC was suggested as a cause of the low MTBS of self-etching adhesives, XIII and AP, but the increase in the MTBS of SE and AP after 48h could not be related with the changes in the DC. The microscopic maturation of the adhesive layer might be considered as the cause of increasing bond strength.

The purpose of this in vitro study was to evaluate the effect of surface defects and cross-sectional configuration of NiTi rotary files on the fatigue life under cyclic loading. Three NiTi rotary files (K3™, ProFile®, and HERO 642®) with #30/.04 taper were evaluated. Each rotary file was divided into 2 subgroups: control (no surface defects) and experimental group (artificial surface defects). A total of six groups of each 10 were tested. The NiTi rotary files were rotated at 300rpm using the apparatus which simulated curved canal (40 degree of curvature) until they fracture. The number of cycles to fracture was calculated and the fractured surfaces were observed with a scanning electron microscope. The data were analyzed statistically. The results showed that experimental groups with surface defects had lower number of cycles to fracture than control group but there was only a statistical significance between control and experimental group in the K3™ (p<0.05). There was no strong correlation between the cross-sectional configuration area and fracture resistance under experimental conditions. Several of fractured files demonstrated characteristic patterns of brittle fracture consistent with the propagation of pre-existing cracks.

This data indicate that surface defects of NiTi rotary files may significantly decrease fatigue life and it may be one possible factor for early fracture of NiTi rotary files in clinical practice.