Adhesion of composite luting cement to Er:YAG-laser-treated dentin.

ABSTRACT

Although some studies claim to the increase of composite resin adhesion to ErYAG-laser-treated dentin, there are still no reports on the adhesion of composite resin cements to the irradiated surface. This in vitro study evaluated the tensile bond strength (TBS) of a composite resin cement to dentin treated with the ErYAG laser. Sixty human dentin samples were divided into four groups (n = 15) G1 (Control)-no treatment; G2-ErYAG laser 60 mJ, 2 Hz, with water cooling, non-contact (19 J/cm(2)); G3-ErYAG laser 60 mJ, 10 Hz, 50/10 fiber, contact, without water cooling (40 J/cm(2)); G4-ErYAG laser 60 mJ, 10 Hz, 50/10 fiber, contact, with water cooling (40 J/cm(2)). After the surface treatment, each sample was submitted to bonding procedures. The analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey tests revealed no statistical significant difference on TBS values for groups G1 (13.73 +/- 3.05 MPa), G2 (12.60 +/- 2.09 MPa) and G4 (11.17 +/- 4.04 MPa). G4 was not statistically different from G3 (8.64 +/- 2.06 MPa). ErYAG laser irradiation with different settings can constitute an alternative tool to the use of composite resin-luting cements.