Effects of Ionizing Radiation on the Shear Bond Strength of Composite Materials to Dentin

Ionizing radiation in therapeutic doses alters the composition and properties of dentin and resin composites. This may influence the adhesion of restorative materials to irradiated dentin and compromise the success of the restorative treatment. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of ionizing radiation on the shear bond strength (SBS) of bulk-fill composite materials to dentin. Coronal dentin slabs (N = 90) were embedded in acrylate and randomly assigned to six groups (N = 15) depending on the time of radiation (70 Gy) and material (SDR Plus Bulk Fill Flowable and Tetric EvoFlow Bulk Fill (TET)): (1) control group (CG) SDR; (2) CG TET; (3) radiation + SDR; (4) radiation + TET; (5) SDR + radiation; and (6) TET + radiation. Composite cylinders were bonded to the dentin slabs using Scotchbond Universal Plus Adhesive. The specimens were stored in distilled water and fractured in shear mode after 7 weeks. Radiation before and after restoration resulted in an SBS decrease. The SBS was statistically significantly lower in groups 5 and 6 (p < 0.05). The difference between the bulk-fill composites was not significant (p > 0.05). In the CGs, adhesive fractures prevailed. In groups 3 and 4, cohesive fractures in the dentin were more frequent, and in groups 5 and 6, cohesive fractures in the material. Radiotherapy affects the SBS of bulk-fill composites to dentin. Immediate radiation after restoration resulted in the lowest SBS in both bulk-fill composite materials.