RESUMO
BACKGROUND: The current study aimed to assess the amount of fluoride released from fluoride-containing dental adhesives and its effect on micro-tensile bond strength (µTBS) and on resistance to demineralisation of dentine and enamel. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Two fluoride-containing dental adhesives, and a fluoride-free adhesive were used as experimental adhesives. After thermal cycling the µ-TBS of adhesives to dentine and the failure mode were assessed. The fluoride release and cross-sectional microhardness (CSMH) of specimens were measured before and after one day, 7 and 28 days of pH-cycling. The data were analysed using one-way ANOVA, Weibull statistics and repeated measures ANOVA. RESULTS: The results indicated a significant difference between the group of FL and both the SE and LBF groups (p≤0.001). The CSMH values of both the dentine and enamel underneath the adhesives was reduced at 28 th day of the pH-cycling compared to the baseline (p≤0.001). From day 1 to day 28, the released fluoride declined in both the fluoride containing dental adhesives (p≤0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Based on the results, the released fluoride from dental adhesives may adversely influence the bond strength and durability of the resin/dentine interface. Moreover, the released fluoride didn't improve the resistance to demineralisation of adjacent enamel and dentine to bond interface. Key words:Fluoride release, micro-tensile bond strength, microhardness, fluoride-containing adhesives.