Resin-modified glass ionomers: Dentin bond strength versus time

Most dentin bond strength tests of resin-modified glass-ionomer cements have been conducted after at least 24 hours' storage in water. In a clinical situation, debonding might occur soon after the restoration was placed if subjected to stress. The purpose of this study was to investigate the rate of development of shear bond strength of resin-modified glass-ionomer cements, two Type IIs of which, Fuji II LC and Vitremer, were used. A conventional glass-ionomer cement, Fuji II, and a resin composite, Herculite XRV/OptiBond system, were also employed as controls. Bovine incisors were mounted in self-curing resin,and the facial surfaces wet ground with 600-grit SiC paper to expose dentin. Materials were condensed into a vinyl mold and bonded following the manufacturers' instructions. The shear bond strengths of 10 specimens per group were measured at a crosshead speed of 1.0 mm/minute after 1, 5, 10, 30, and 60 minutes' and 2, 5, and 24 hours' storage in water at 37 degrees C. One-way ANOVAs followed by the Dunnet test (P < 0.05) were used to test for significant differences between the mean bond strength at 1 minute and each of the other test periods. The test period when there was a significant increase in bond strength was defined as the "initial increasing time." The dentin bond strengths of all the materials tested increased with prolonged storage time. The initial increasing times were 10 minutes for Fuji II LC and OptiBond, 20 minutes for Fuji II, and 60 minutes for Vitremer. The differences in the initial increasing time might have clinical implications if the restoration is subjected to significant stress immediately after placement.