Effect of dentinal tubule orientation on the modulus of elasticity of resin-infiltrated demineralized dentin.

The effect of tubule orientation of dentin on the elastic modulus of resin-infiltrated dentin was evaluated. Rectangular cylindricalshaped dentin specimens with their long axis parallel to and perpendicular to dentinal tubules were prepared from extracted premolars. Twenty-five mineralized specimens of each orientation were evaluated. The remaining specimens were then demineralized. The demineralized specimens and the demineralized following by infiltration with one of these adhesives; Optibond Solo Plus, Single Bond 2 or Prime & Bond NT, from each orientation were evaluated (25 specimens per group). The tubular orientation only affected the elastic modulus of mineralized dentin. The highest elastic modulus was observed for the mineralized dentin when the tensile force was applied parallel to the direction of tubules. The elastic modulus of demineralized dentin was the lowest. The adhesive resins increased the elastic modulus of demineralized dentin, but the differences among the three were insignificant.