One-year clinical evaluation of a two-step self-etch adhesive with and without additional enamel etching technique in cervical lesions

Background: The aim of this study was to determine the clinical performance of a two-step self-etch adhesive with and without additional enamel etching technique to advanced non-carious cervical sclerotic lesions. Methods: Twenty-two patients (mean age = 51.5) having at least two pairs of non-carious cervical erosion/attrition/abfraction lesions with incisal or occlusal margins in enamel and gingival margins in dentine/cementum were included in the study. The two-step self-etch adhesive (AdheSE; Ivoclar-Vivadent) was either applied following the self-etch approach on both enamel and dentine (AdheSE non-etch), or a similar application including additional acid-etching of the enamel cavity margins with 37% phosphoric acid (AdheSE etch). Resin composite Point 4 was used for all 104 restorations. Restorations were evaluated at baseline and at one year according to the modified United States Public Health Service (USPHS) criteria. Data were analysed by using McNemar's test (p < 0.05). Results: There were no significant differences in the marginal adaptation both at the cervical and enamel margins between AdheSE non-etch and AdheSE etch groups (p > 0.05). At one year, marginal discolouration was evident in the AdheSE non-etch group but it was not statistically significant from the AdheSE etch group (p = 0.12). Postoperative sensitivity was 5% at baseline and reduced to 2% at one year. Conclusions: At one year, the two-step self-etch adhesive with and without additional enamel etching technique showed excellent clinical results to advanced non-carious cervical sclerotic lesions.