Analysis of dental adhesive systems using scanning electron microscopy.

This study used scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to evaluate the effects of various acid conditioners (etchants) on dentine surfaces. The conditioners completely removed the smear layer from dentine and opened the dentinal tubules, but some also left debris or a reaction product on the surface. The study also evaluated the resin-dentine interfaces produced by five new-generation dentine bonding systems: All-Bond 2, Amalgambond, Gluma 2000, OptiBond, and Scotchbond Multi-Purpose. All-Bond 2, Amalgambond, OptiBond, and Scotchbond Multi-Purpose formed acid-resistant hybrid layers and intra-tubular resin tags when they were applied to visibly moist dentine.