This study compared the microtensile bond strength (μTBS) and microscopic change of two 2-step and two 1-step self-etching adhesives to dentin according to storage times in distilled water.

Occlusal dentin was exposed in 48 human molars. They were divided to four groups by different adhesives: SE Bond group (Clearfil SE Bond), AdheSE group (AdheSE), Adper group (Adper Prompt L-Pop), and Xeno group (Xeno III). Each group was stored in 37℃ distilled water for 1, 15, and 30 days.

Resin-bonded specimens were sectioned into beams and subjected to μTBS testing with a crosshead speed of 1 mm/minute. For SEM observation, one specimen was selected and sectioned in each group after each stroage time. Resin-dentin interface was observed under FE-SEM.

In all storage times, mean μTBS of SE group was significantly higher than those of other groups (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference between mean μTBS of SE group and AdheSE group among all storage times, but significant difference between 1- and 30-day storage in mean μTBS of Adper group and Xeno group (p < 0.05). For 1-and 15-day storage, all groups showed the close adaptation between resin-dentin interfaces. For 30-day storage, resin-dentin interfaces showed wide gap in Adper group and separate pattern in Xeno III group.