No overall effect was revealed in the meta-analyses , meaning that no influence of the  ER or SE strategy on POS .
SIGNIFICANCE The type of adhesive strategy ( ER or SE ) for posterior resin composite restorations does not influence the risk and intensity of POS .
OBJECTIVES A systematic review and meta- analysis were performed on the risk and intensity of postoperative sensitivity ( POS ) in posterior resin composite restorations bonded with self-etch ( SE ) and etch- and -rinse ( ER ) adhesives .
Self-etching adhesives and postoperative sensitivity.
PURPOSE To test the hypothesis that the prevention of postoperative sensitivity in resin-based composite restorations is better achieved with a self-etching/self-priming ( SE/SP ) dentin bonding system without lining than with an early generation total-etch ( TE ) bonding system . METHODS Over a 4-year period , clinical follow-ups were conducted on patients who had received composite restorations .  The depth of each cavity was categorized as being shallow , medium or deep , and an evaluation was made regarding the need for pulpal protection for each restoration . Three different self-etching/self-priming ( SE/SP ) adhesive systems were compared to three different total-etch ( TE ) adhesive systems . The incidences of postoperative sensitivity ( IPS ) were examined by a st and ardized procedure 1 week after placement of the restoration . Patients ' ages varied between 16 - 83 years . RESULTS The  total number of restorations placed in vital teeth were 330 for 150 patients in the SE/SP group , and 126 for 70 patients in the TE group .  Incidences of IPS in the total number of restorations stratified for depth were 14 % in deep cavities , 6 % in medium depth cavities and 5 % in shallow cavities in the SE/SP group , and 35 % in deep cavities , 16 % in medium and 4 % in shallow cavities in the TE group . Fisher 's exact test showed the incidence of IPS was significantly higher in cases of deep ( P < 0.05 ) and medium ( P < 0.05 ) cavities . The test also revealed that in restorations placed with the SE/SP adhesive systems , the presence or absence of a protective liner or base made no significant difference in the IPS in medium and shallow cavities , while the use of such protective layers produced a significantly higher IPS ( 21 % ) , compared with no protection ( 0 % ) , in deep cavities ( P < 0.05 ) . The absence of protective liners or bases did not result in postoperative sensitivity in deep cavities , when the SE/SP dentin bonding systems were used
No overall effect was revealed in the meta-analyses , meaning that no influence of the  ER or SE strategy on POS .
SIGNIFICANCE The type of adhesive strategy ( ER or SE ) for posterior resin composite restorations does not influence the risk and intensity of POS .
OBJECTIVES A systematic review and meta- analysis were performed on the risk and intensity of postoperative sensitivity ( POS ) in posterior resin composite restorations bonded with self-etch ( SE ) and etch- and -rinse ( ER ) adhesives .