PURPOSE: To evaluate the bond strength of a total-etching adhesive system to dentin irrigated with 1% sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid 17% (EDTA). METHODS: Thirty human molars were sectioned 3mm below the oclusal surface and were randomly divided into 3 groups (n=10): G1, no treatment (control); G2, 1% NaOCl; G3, NaOCl followed by EDTA. The specimens received the total-etching adhesive system, restored with microhybrid composite resin, sectioned and trimmed to create 4 hourglass-shaped slabs of each tooth. The slabs were tested in microtensile bond strength in a universal testing machine (Emic DL 2000) at a crosshead speed of 0.5 mm/min until fracture. The results were analyzed statistically by ANOVA and Newman-Keuls test. G2 samples were not submitted to the test because they fractured just before testing, and its values were considered zero to the statistical analysis. RESULTS: The means and standard deviations (MPa) were: G1, 8.41 (±3.51); G2, 0.0 (±0.00); G3, 8.47 (±3.53). CONCLUSION: It was concluded that the application of the NaOCl irrigating solution significantly decreased the bond strength values. The use of NaOCl followed by EDTA resulted in bond strength values not statistically different from control group.
Adhesives; dentin; root canal irrigants
