Background and aims: Nowadays, studies show the effective laser irradiation role on the adhesion of bonding agents to the dentin. Therefore, the present study was set to find an appropriate protocol for the use of Nd:YAG, Er:YAG, and Diode lasers during the application of two steps self-etch adhesives in direct dental restorations in order to achieve higher microtensile strength.
Materials and methods: A total number of 100 extracted healthy teeth were selected. After removing occlusal enamel and exposing dentin, samples randomly divided into ten groups: Group Control (C), two steps self-etch adhesives was applied in accordance with the manufacturer instructions, without using laser systems; Groups Er-YAG, laser (2940 nm, 10 Hz, 0.4w, 40 mJ) irradiated Before applying Primer (Er-BPsubgroup), After applying Primer (Er-AP subgroup), After applying Bonding (Er-AB subgroup); Groups Nd-YAG, laser (1064 nm, 10 Hz, 1.2w, 40 mJ) irradiated Before applying Primer (Nd-BP subgroup), After applying Primer (Nd-AP subgroup), After applying Bonding (Nd-AB subgroup); Groups Diode, laser (940nm, 10 Hz, 0.7w, 70 mJ) irradiated Before applying Primer (D-BP subgroup), After applying Primer (D-AP subgroup), After applying Bonding (D-AB subgroup). After intervention and composite build up, the samples were stored 24 hours in 37°C distilled water. The microtensile strength was measured using the universal testing machine. The data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA test and post hoc Tukey test. (p < 0.05)
Results: The Means and standard deviations of the groups were as follow: C = 30.09 ± 4.21, Er-BP = 18.83± 4.21, Er-AP = 14.43 ± 3.12, Er-AB = 19.67 ± 4.96, Nd-BP = 20.35 ± 5.55, Nd-AP = 39.85 ± 4.13, Nd-AB =18.16 ± 3.36, D-BP = 26.74 ± 5.05, D-AP = 28.11 ± 5.12, D-AB = 37.28 ± 5.61. The mean microtensile strength achieved in groups: Nd-AP and D-AB were significantly higher than control group (p < 0.05).Groups D-BP and D-AP had no significant difference in comparison with control group while the remaining groups had significantly lower values (P < 0.05).
Conclusions: Nd:YAG laser irradiation after applying the primer, and diode laser irradiation after applying the bonding agent, both can improve the microtensile bond strength in two steps self-etch adhesive systems significantly.