Resin-to-enamel bonds: effect of cleaning the enamel surface with prophylaxis pastes containing fluoride or oil

Abstract

A thorough dental prophylaxis before acid-etching of enamel is often recommended. In the method most commonly used, a slurry of pumice is applied with a rubber cup. Oil-based and fluoride-containing prophylaxis pastes are not generally recommended because of fears that they might hinder the etching process. This study assessed the 24-hour shear strength of resin (Scotchbond 2/Silux Plus) bonded to etched enamel which had been cleaned before acid-etching with a slowly rotating rubber cup loaded with: (1) wet pumice; (2) fluoride-containing non-oil-based pastes (En-De-Kay fluoride paste, Nupro fluoride paste); (3) non-fluoride oil-based paste (Kemdent); and (4) nonfluoride non-oil-based pastes (Nupro, Orapol). The bond strength values obtained after using the various cleaning agents were similar. Furthermore, bond failure in all the test groups was of the cohesive type. It therefore appears that prophylaxis pastes containing fluoride or oil may be used to clean the enamel before acid-etching