Influence of enamel conditioning on bond strength of resin-modified glass ionomer restorative materials and polyacid-modified composites

This study evaluated enamel bond strength of restorative materials containing both glass ionomer and composite components. Three resin-modified glass ionomer restorative materials (Fuji II LC, Vitremer, Photac-Fil), three polyacid-modified composites (VariGlass VLC, Dyract, Ionosit Fil), a hybrid composite (blend-a-lux) and a chemical-cured glass-ionomer cement (ChemFil Superior) were tested for enamel tensile bond strength with and without conditioning of the tooth surfaces. Tensile bond strength was determined for five specimens each of conditioned and unconditioned bovine teeth. Specimen conditioning was performed as recommended by the manufacturers. The tensile bond strength was tested with a universal testing machine. Except for the enamel bond strength of ChemFil Superior, all materials showed greater adhesion to conditioned tooth surfaces than to unconditioned specimens. Enamel bond strengths of the polyacid-modified composites applied after a phosphoric acid etching technique (Ionosit Fil, Dyract, VariGlass) were greater compared with the materials applied after surface conditioning with polyacrylic acid-containing agents. No significant difference was observed between the hybrid composite and the tested materials attached with the phosphoric acid etching technique. To improve adhesion of the tested materials to enamel, following the manufacturers' instructions about tooth surface conditioning is recommended. Superior bond strength to enamel was obtained for polyacid-modified composites, which are attached with the phosphoric acid etching technique and thereby resemble the adhesion patterns of composites.