Ultra-structure characterization of self-etching treated cementum surfaces

ABSTRACT

Objectives: to evaluate the effect of different conditioning treatments on surface roughness and topography ofdental cementum. Study Design: Extracted human canines were used for the present study. The mesial surfacefrom the cervical third of the roots were ground flat with wet 600-grit silicon carbide paper. They were polished(up to 1/4 μm diamond paste) and treated as follows: 1) No treatment, 2) 35% H3PO4 during 15 s, 3) Clearfil SEBond primer (SEB), 4) One-Up Bond F (OUB). The adhesive systems were applied following manufacturer’s instructions.SEB primer and OUB were removed from surfaces by washing and ultrasonic agitation with ascendingethanol solutions. Digital images of treated surfaces (5x5 and 15x15 μm) were obtained by means of an atomicforce microscope (AFM) analysis. The average surface roughness (Ra nanometers) of the scanned areas was assessed.Data were analyzed by ANOVA and SNK multiple comparisons tests (p<0.05). Results: phosphoric acidtreatment produced the highest mean roughness value, at all scan sizes. At 5x5 μm AFM images, for self-etchadhesive systems no differences in roughness were detected. At 15x15 μm, when One-Up Bond F was employedthe lowest value was obtained. Conclusions: When phosphoric acid treatment was applied, cementum surfaceroughness increased and a strong demineralization with exposed collagen fibers could be observed (AU)