The aim of this study was to compare two self-etching and a total-etch adhesive systems by assessing their shear bond strength to bovine enamel and the microleakage on class V composite restorations prepared on bovine enamel. Bovine teeth selected and allocated in three groups: Group 1: Scothbond Multi-Purpose; Group 2: Clearfil Liner Bond 2V; Group 3: Etch & Prime 3.0. For the microleakage test, each group was composed of ten class V restorations on the buccal surface. Two examiners attributed scores ranging from 0 (without leakage) to 3 (maximum leakage) to determine silver nitrate penetration at enamel-composite interface. Microleakage data were analyzed statistically by Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney tests at 5% significance level. For the bond strength test, ten teeth of each group were included, had their buccal surfaces flattened in order to obtain a 3-mm-diameter area to which a resin cylinder was bonded. After one week, the specimens were tested in shear strength at a crosshead speed of 0.5 mm/min. Bond strength data were treated by ANOVA and LSD tests at 5% significance level. The debonded interfaces were examined under scanning electron microscopy. No leakage was observed along enamel margins. Means (± SD) in MPa were: 18.75 (±5.83), 22.17 (±4.95) and 14.93 (±6.7) for Groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively. According to the results of this study, the self-etching primer systems presented statistically similar behavior (p>0.05) to that of the total-etch adhesive system (used as a control), not only regarding marginal leakage at bovine enamel-composite resin interface, but also regarding the shear bond strength of the bovine enamel. However, the self-etching primer systems differed significantly (p>0.05) to each other, with better results for Clearfil Liner Bond 2V. In conclusion, the self-etching primer systems had a performance comparable to that of the total-etch adhesive system.
self-etching primer; bond strength; enamel adhesion; microleakage
