Influence of dentin pre-treatment with NaOCl on the morphology of adhesive interface of self-etching adhesive systems

The aim of this in vitro study was to evaluate the influence of pre-treatment using NaOCl in the morphology of dentin/resin interface. The three self-etching adhesive systems were selected: One-Up Bond F (Tokuyama, Tokyo, Japan), Prime & Bond NT/NRC (Dentsply, Konstanz, Germany) and Clearfil SE Bond (Kuraray, Osaka, Japan). Nine dentin disks were used in this study. Half disk was treated strictly following manufacturers’ instructions (control groups). The other half was treated with a solution of 2.5% NaOCl (experimental groups). After the bonding protocols were accomplished, a low viscosity resin (Flow-it/Jeneric Pentron) was inserted and light-cured. Specimens were prepared for SEM. Morphological aspects were observed, comparing both the groups. The analysis of the photomicrographs revealed formation of a hybrid layer for both controls groups along the interface. The experimental groups showed a resin/dentin interface more irregular and produced topographical features with funnel-shaped dentin tubules. Areas with absence of hybrid layer formation were observed, mainly for One-Up Bond F, although tubules their lateral branches were filled with Prime & Bond NT/NRC and Clearfil Se Bond adhesive systems. It was concluded that the use of NaOCl influenced negatively in the formation of the hybrid layer, mainly for the One-Up Bond F.