This study evaluated the effect of specimens' design and manufacturing process on microtensile bond strength, internal stress distributions (Finite Element Analysis - FEA) and specimens' integrity by means of Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Laser Scanning Confocal Microscopy (LCM). Excite was applied to flat enamel surface and a resin composite build-ups were made incrementally with 1-mm increments of Tetric Ceram. Teeth were cut using a diamond disc or a diamond wire, obtaining 0.8 mm² stick-shaped specimens, or were shaped with a Micro Specimen Former, obtaining dumbbell-shaped specimens (n = 10). Samples were randomly selected for SEM and LCM analysis. Remaining samples underwent microtensile test, and results were analyzed with ANOVA and Tukey test. FEA dumbbell-shaped model resulted in a more homogeneous stress distribution. Nonetheless, they failed under lower bond strengths (21.83 ± 5.44 MPa)c than stick-shaped specimens (sectioned with wire: 42.93 ± 4.77 MPaª; sectioned with disc: 36.62 ± 3.63 MPa b), due to geometric irregularities related to manufacturing process, as noted in microscopic analyzes. It could be concluded that stick-shaped, nontrimmed specimens, sectioned with diamond wire, are preferred for enamel specimens as they can be prepared in a less destructive, easier, and more precise way.

Purpose: To evaluate the microtensile bond strength (µTBS) to dentin of 4 adhesive systems, the micromorphology of the adhesive/dentin interface and to compare the results to the µTS (cohesive strength) of sound dentin and resin composite. Occlusal surfaces of 24 extracted caries-free human molars were cut flat to expose the dentin surface. They were randomly assigned to 4 groups (n = 6): Adper Scotchbond Multi Purpose Plus (MP), Adper Single Bond (SB), Clearfil Protect Bond (CP) and Adper Prompt (AP). Adhesive systems were applied and "crowns" were built using Z100. Other 5 human molars were sectioned to obtain square-shaped dentin blocks and 5 resin blocks were built using a composite resin, Z100. After storage in distilled water at 37 °C for 24 h, stick-shaped specimens were obtained for all groups (n = 5) with 0.8 mm² and subjected to µTBS or µTS test. Results were analyzed using One-Way ANOVA and Tukey's test at p < 0.05. The remaining bonded teeth were cut in two halves perpendicularly to the bonded interface and prepared for SEM analyses. No significant differences were found among CP (45.6 + 7.4 MPa), SB (43.3 + 6.5 MPa) and MP (35.1 + 5.9 MPa) (p > 0.05). The lowest result was found for AP (27.4 + 4.7 MPa), although not statistically different from MP. Most specimens (89.4%) showed predominant adhesive failure. None of the systems tested reached the µTS values of dentin (108.5 + 9.4 MPa) and Z100 (86.5 + 3.6 MPa). Bonded interfaces showed lower µTBS than those µTS of dentin and resin composite blocks. The all-in-one self-etching adhesive had the lowest µTBS.

Objetivou-se verificar a influência do tempo de armazenamento (24 horas ou 3 meses) no selamento marginal de restaurações de classe II e, além disso, verificar a correlação entre dois métodos de obtenção dos resultados nos testes de microinfiltração. Cavidades classe II foram confeccionadas em molares humanos íntegros, sendo as cavidades MO restauradas com ABF experimental (Kuraray Medical Inc.) + Z250 (3M ESPE) e as DO, com Single Bond (3M ESPE) + Z250. Após os diferentes tempos de armazenamento, empregou-se uma metodologia para provocar microinfiltração (ciclagem térmica e corante azul de metileno 0,5% por 4 horas) e os corpos-de-prova foram seccionados em 3 fatias. Três avaliadores calibrados atribuíram escores conforme o grau de infiltração, e também foram realizadas medidas morfométricas com ajuda do software ImageLab 2000. A análise de regressão de Pearson mostrou correlação altamente significante entre os valores obtidos pelos dois métodos de avaliação (r = 0,978, p < 0,001). Constatou-se que o adesivo ABF experimental apresentou menor infiltração marginal em relação ao adesivo Single Bond (p < 0,001), sendo que o tempo de armazenamento não influenciou no comportamento dos adesivos.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of storage periods of 24 hours and 3 months on the microleakage of class II cavities. Two methods of assessing microleakage were also compared. Class II cavities were prepared in sound human molars. MO cavities were restored using ABF experimental (Kuraray Medical Inc.) + Z250 composite resin (3M ESPE), and DO cavities were restored using Single Bond (3M ESPE) + Z250. After different storage periods, specimens were thermocycled, immersed in a dye (0.5% methylene blue solution for 4 h) and longitudinally sectioned. Dye penetration was scored according to a 0-4 scale. The extent of microleakage was measured using the ImageLab 2000 program. A statistically significant correlation was verified between both evaluation methods (r = 0.978, p < 0.001). ANOVA revealed a statistically significant difference between the tested adhesive systems regarding microleakage (p < 0.001), although it was not influenced by the different storage periods.