SummaryMicrotensile bond strength (μTBS) test was introduced in 1994. Since then, it has been utilized profoundly across many bond strength testing laboratories, making it currently one of the most standard and versatile bond strength test. Although it is a static and strength-based method, together with the morphological and spectroscopic investigations, it has been contributing immensely in the advancement of dentin adhesive systems. μTBS test has a greater discriminative capability than the traditional macro-shear bond test. During the early stage of its development, the authors predicted that this testing method would enable evaluation of the adhesive performances of resins to excavated carious or sclerotic dentin and the regional bond strengths of various portions of the cavity. In addition, they also stated the possibility of comparing the long-term stability of resin adhesion at various portions of the cavity walls on teeth extracted at various times after insertion of bonded restorations. In this review, we discussed the historical background, inception and the application of the μTBS test and proposed directions for further improvement of this testing method.

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The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of surface roughness and smear layer on the micro-shear bond strength (µSBS) of two self-etching adhesives, Clearfil SE Bond (SE) and Clearfil Tri-S Bond (S3). Flat dentin surfaces were prepared with SiC papers (600-, 180- and 120-grit) and diamond burs (extra fine, medium and coarse). They were further divided into smear-covered and smear-free surfaces and bonded with respective adhesives. µSBS test was performed after water storage at 37ºC for 24 h. Smear layer thickness measurement was evaluated by scanning electron microscope (SEM). Surface roughness was examined by contact stylus profilometer. Smear layer thickness and surface roughness were significantly different among all groups (p<0.05). No difference in µSBS was observed among surface prepared by SiC whereas bur-cut smear layer had negative effect on µSBS, especially for S3. Surface roughness from different surface preparations had no influence on µSBS (p<0.05).

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of remaining dentin thickness (RDT) on the bond strength of current adhesive systems. Third molars were randomly allocated among four groups depending on the adhesive system used: Clearfil SE Bond ONE (SE1), G-Bond PLUS (GB), BeautiBond (BB), and Clearfil Mega Bond (MB). Bonded specimens were stored in water at 37°C for 24 h. Teeth were then sectioned perpendicular to the adhesive interface to produce beams. After measuring RDT of each beam, microtensile bond strength test was carried out using a universal testing machine at a crosshead speed of 1 mm/min. All data were analyzed by linear regression analysis. Bond strengths of one-step self-etch materials used in this study increased with an increase in RDT. In contrast, that of two-step self-etch adhesive system was not affected by RDT.

One-year storage time had no effect on the μTBS of universal adhesives to bur-cut dentin. The performance of universal adhesives can be compromised when applied using a shortened application time.

The removal or modification of smear layers that cover the dentin is critical to allow the penetration of adhesive molecules and to ensure a strong bond between resin and dentin. Aiming to establish a model for clinically-relevant dentin-bond testing, we evaluated the effects of smear layers created by abrasives having similar coarseness (180-grit SiC paper; fine-grit diamond bur) and application modes (single application; double application) on the microtensile bond strengths (µTBS) of two currently available universal adhesives (G-Premio Bond; Scotchbond Universal Adhesive) and a two-step self-etch adhesive (Clearfil Megabond 2). Sixty extracted human third molars were used for the μTBS test. Data were analyzed by three-way ANOVA and Tukey’s test (α = 0.05). Fracture modes were determined using stereomicroscopy. An additional 24 third molars were prepared for observation of the resin–dentin interface by TEM and adhesive-smear layer interaction by SEM. μTBS was significantly affected by the adhesives and their application modes (p < 0.001), implying that the double application of universal adhesives should be recommended to improve their performance. The effect of smear layers was not significant (p > 0.05), indicating that 180-grit SiC papers could be used to prepare dentin as a substitute for fine-grit diamond burs for dentin-bond testing in laboratory settings.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of remaining dentin thickness (RDT) and long term water storage on dentin bond strength in-vitro. Twenty-seven third molars were randomly divided into 3 groups: Clearfil Bond SE ONE (SE1, Kuraray Noritake Dental, Okayama, Japan), G-Bond plus (GB, GC, Tokyo, Japan) and Clearfil Mega Bond (MB, Kuraray Noritake Dental). Bonded specimens were stored in water at 37ºC for 24 h. The teeth were then sectioned perpendicular to the adhesive interface to produce beams. RDT of each beam was measured digital calliper. Microtensile bond strength testing was carried out at a crosshead speed of 1 mm/min after 24 h and 1 year water storage. Thicker RDT produced higher bond strengths with one/two-step self-etch materials tested except for the group of 24 h MB. Nevertheless water storage time and RDT affected µTBS in all materials used.

Currently, dental adhesives can be divided into two systems; a smear layer-removal approach with etch-and-rinse adhesives or a smear layer-modified approach with self-etching adhesives. After phosphoric acid etching, the smear layer is completely removed. More attention is, however, required when using self-etching adhesives. The smear layer is partially demineralized by the weak acidic monomer and subsequently incorporated into the hybrid layer. Therefore, the characteristics of the smear layer play an important role on the bonding performance of self-etching adhesives. Such characteristics, for instance, smear layer thickness and smear layer density, are influenced by many factors, e.g. , instruments used for dentin surface preparation, cutting speed, and the abrasive particle size of the cutting instruments. This review discusses the contributing factors that affect the smear layer characteristics, and the influence of the smear layer on the bonding performance of dental adhesives. Also, the application techniques regarding how to improve the bonding performance of self-etching adhesives – the smear layer removal by using chemical agents, or the modification of the adhesive application procedures – are provided.