Adhesion of a new commercial self-etching/self-priming bonding resin to human caries-infected dentin.

We have examined the adhesive properties of a new commercial self-etching/self-priming bonding resin (Unifil Bond, UB) to normal and caries-infected dentin of human extracted molars using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and a micto-tensile bonding strength (MTBS) test. In this study, 7 human extracted molars with moderate occlusal caries were used, and flat surfaces including occlusal dentin caries were prepared from the teeth. After the application of UB to the surfaces, a composite resin was built up, and subjected to the measurement of MTBS and SEM observation of the interfacial morphology between UB and dentin. The MTBS of UB to normal dentin was 33.4 MPa, but that to caries-infected dentin was 11.0 MPa. There was a significant difference between the MTBS to normal and carious dentin. SEM observation revealed that the typical hybrid layer was not formed in caries-infected dentin. These results suggested that resin infiltration into caries-infected dentin was not sufficient to allow perfect sealing of the restoration.