Carbon nanotube-modified adhesive to caries affected dentin conditioned with Nd: YAP laser, phosphoric acid, and photoactivated-erythrosine

Aim: Dentin conditioned with phosphoric acid (PA) Nd: YAP laser, and photoactivated-Ery(Erythrosine) on microleakage, shear bond strength (SBS) degree of conversion (DC), and rheological assessment of adhesive- infused with carbon nanotubes (CNTs). Material and method: Carious ninety-six human mandibular molars were included. Specimens were disinfected and allocated into three groups based on surface pretreatment (n n = 32) Group 1 (PA), Group 2 (Nd: YAP) laser, and Group 3 (Photoactivated-Ery). Conditioned groups were further divided into two 2 subgroups based on the application of unmodified ERA and CNTs-modified ERA. Composite restorations were placed on the CAD surface and thermal aging of the samples was performed. The microleakage assessment was conducted using a dye penetration test. Universal testing machine (UTM) assessed SBS bond failure was evaluated using a stereomicroscope. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) analyses of CNT, and Fourier Transform Infrared FTIR of adhesives were performed. One-way ANOVA and Tukey post hoc analyzed the outcomes. Results: Group 1B samples (PA+ + CNTs modified adhesive) presented the minimum marginal leakage and highest bond integrity. Group 2A (Nd:YAP laser+Unmodified +Unmodified adhesive) displayed the maximum scores of microleakage and lowest bond strength. Conclusion: Photoactivated Ery-PS can serve as an alternative to phosphoric acid for conditioning CAD. Incorporating CNT in adhesive significantly enhanced bond integrity and marginal seal with no significant difference in DC.