The influence of dental unit waterline cleaners on composite-to-dentin bond strengths

Background. One approach to controlling dental unit waterline (DUWL) contamination by microorganisms is the addition of chemical cleaners to the treatment water. Yet, there is concern that these cleaners might affect the bonding of resin-based composites to enamel and dentin. The authors evaluated the influence of DUWL cleaners on composite-to-dentin bond strengths. Methods. The authors tested the strength of resin-based composite bonded to dentin in specimens treated with distilled water (control) or one of four cleaners. They tested a total-etch adhesive, a self-etching primer/adhesive and an experimental self-etching primer/adhesive. The authors stored the specimens for 24 hours at 37 C and tested them to determine their bond strengths. Results. The mean shear bond strengths (SBSs) varied according to the cleaner and adhesive used, ranging from 14.7 to 21.9 megapascals. However, the authors found no statistically significant differences and/or interactions between mean SBSs of specimens treated with the various DUWL cleaners and adhesives (P ≥ .05). Conclusions. The tested DUWL cleaners did not significantly influence composite-to-dentin bond strengths for the total-etch adhesive and self-etching primer/adhesives used in this study. Clinical Implications. The conclusions imply that bonding of resinbased composites to dentin is not affected by the cleaners tested when they are used to treat DUWL contamination.