Removal of temporary cements following an immediate dentin hybridization approach: a comparison of mechanical and chemical methods for substrate cleaning

This study evaluated the microshear bond strength (μSBS) of a composite resin cement to a pre-hybridized dentinal substrate exposed to two kinds of temporary materials; the influence of different cleaning techniques was investigated. Dentinal surfaces were conditioned with an etch-and-rinse adhesive system to obtain an immediately-sealed (IDS) layer. Each surface was divided into quadrants and covered (1) with an eugenol-free (NE_Group) or (2) with a resin-based provisional agent (CL_Group). After storage, the temporary cement was removed by using one of the following methods: (1) Hand-scaler [S]; (2) Alumina air-abrasion [SB]; (3) Glycine-powder air-abrasion [Gly]; (4) D-Limonene chemical solvent [Or]. A new IDS layer was then created; polyethylene tubes were placed on dentin surfaces and filled with a dual-cure resin cement. A universal testing machine was used for the μSBS tests; conditioned surfaces were analyzed at SEM. Means and SD were calculated; a two-way ANOVA (a: 0.05) was performed to detect significant differences among groups. For NE groups, mean μSBS values (MPa) were: 21.6 ± 6.6 [NE_NoT]; 20.7 ± 4.5 [NE_Or]; 20.1 ± 6.6 [NE_SB]; 19.1 ± 5.3 [NE_S]; 17.8 ± 2.2 [NE_Gly]. No significant differences were found among tested treatments within NE (p: 0.5493). For CL groups, mean μSBS values (MPa) ranged from 15.8 ± 2.8 (CL_S50) to 19.4 ± 2.9 (CL_Gly). Cleaning of the substrate with glycine air-abrasion statistically improved μSBS values with respect to aluminum-oxide (CL_SB: 15.8 ± 2.8) or scaling (CL_S: 16.0 ± 2.4). The application of the IDS technique was effective for preservation of freshly-cut dentin from adverse effects of temporary materials. Glycine air-abrasion is suggested when a temporary resin cement is adopted.