Composite wall-to-wall polymerization contraction in dentin cavities treated with various bonding agents.

Extracted human teeth are frequently used in studies on bonding of composites to dentin. However, little is known about the effect of storing conditions on the results recorded. The purpose of the present work was to measure the wall-to-wall polymerization contraction of a light-cured composite material with and without the use of five different dentin bonding agents in cylindrical dentin cavities prepared in extracted human teeth, either fresh or after storing for up to 4 wk in four different media. No effect of the storing conditions on the width of contraction gaps could be demonstrated when the teeth were stored in tap water or in a 1.0% aqueous chloramine solution. Aqueous solutions of either 0.1% benzalkonium chloride or 0.9% sodium chloride did occasionally affect the size of the contraction gap.