Assessment of the penetration depth of dental adhesives through deproteinized acid-etched dentin using neodymium:yttrium–aluminum–garnet laser and sodium hypochlorite

The objective of this study was to assess the penetration depth of dental adhesive systems through acid-etched dentin, deproteinized by neodymium:yttrium–aluminum–garnet (Nd:YAG) laser or 10% sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) solution, using fluorescent light microscopy. Sixty extracted human upper premolars were selected to be given standardized buccal and lingual class V cavities. The teeth were randomly divided into two groups, each one consisting of 30 teeth and each group subdivided into three subgroups, each having ten teeth (20 cavities): group 1, Excite bonding system, which was subdivided into group 1a, acid etch/Nd:YAG laser plus Excite bond, group 1b, acid etch/10%NaOCl plus Excite bond, and group 1c, acid etch plus Excite bond; group 2, Solobond Plus bonding system, which was subdivided into group 2a, acid etch/Nd:YAG laser plus Solobond Plus bond, group 2b, acid etch/10%NaOCl plus Solobond Plus bond, and group 2c, acid etch plus Solobond Plus bond. The teeth were prepared for fluorescent light microscopy (FLM) analysis, and the results showed that treatment of the acid-etched dentin with Nd:YAG laser had led to a significant increase in the penetration depth of the adhesive bonding system, and that the maximum penetration depth of the adhesive bonding system through acid-etched, Nd:YAG-lased dentin was significantly more than that of acid-etched, 10% NaOCl-treated dentin. The Solobond Plus bonding system showed maximum penetration depth, more than that of the Excite bonding system.