Interfacial integrity of bonded restorations with self-etching adhesives: Water storage and thermo-mechanical cycling Gislaine Cristine Martins1 Alfonso Sánchez-Ayala2 Paulo Henrique Perlatti D’Alpino3 Abraham Lincoln Calixto4 João Carlos Gomes4 Osnara Maria Mongruel Gomes4 AbstrA tc Objectives: Objective: To evaluate the effect of thermo-mechanical cycling (TMC) on the microle- akage (µL) and axial gap width (AG) of Class V bonded restorations in premolars using self-etching adhesive systems. The bond strength of composite restorations to dentin (µTBS) using the same adhesives was also evaluated in third molars after water storage: 24 h and 6 months. The research hypotheses were tested for the results of two self-etching adhesives in comparison when a conven- tional two-step adhesive was used: (1) the µL and AG would be lower, regardless of TMC; (2) the µTBS of self-etching adhesives would be higher, irrespective of evaluation times. Methods: Sixty Class V composite restorations were made in 30 premolars and bonded with Ad- per Single Bond 2 (ASB2), AdheSE (ASE), and Adper Prompt L-Pop (APL-P) (n=20). Dentin µL and AG were immediately measured for half of the sample. The other half was evaluated after TMC. Eighteen third molars were also selected and bonded using the same adhesives to test the µTBS to dentin. Specimens were evaluated after 24 h and 6 months of water storage. Results: No differences in µL and AG were found among the groups (P>.05). The µTBS mean val- ues were: ASB2>ASE>APL-P (P<.05); only Adper Single Bond 2 presented a significantly lower µTBS after water storage (P<.05). Conclusions: The bonding approach does not influence the microleakage and interfacial gap ex- tension. Despite the decrease in the mean values, the bond strength to dentin of the conventional, two-step adhesive remains high after 6 months of water storage. (Eur J Dent 2012;6:169-177) Key words: Dentin-bonding agents; bond strength; durability; microleakage. 1 Departament of Restorative Dentistry, State University of Ponta Grossa, Ponta Grossa, Paraná, BRASIL 2 Post Graduate Program in Department of Prosthetics Dentistry, School of Dentistry, University of Campinas, BRAZIL 3 Biomaterials Research Group, Anhanguera-Uniban University BRAZIL April 2012 - Vol.6 4 Dentistry Post Graduate Program, Department of Dentistry, State University of Ponta Grossa, BRAZIL Corresponding author: Dr. Gislaine Cristine Martins Rua: Comendador Miró, 711 – Centro, CEP: 84010-160, Ponta Grossa, Paraná, BRASIL Tel: +55 42 3224 5306 Email: gislainecmartins@yahoo.com.br 169 European Journal of Dentistry