EFFECT OF CONDENSATION TECHNIQUES ON AMALGAM BOND STRENGTHS TO DENTIN

This in vitro study determined the shear bond strengths of Tytin amalg am to dentin using All-Bond 2, Amalgambond Plus, Amalgambond Plus with HPA powder, and OptiBond with hand and mechanical (Condensaire) conde nsation. The occlusal enamel surfaces were ground flat to expose the d entin surfaces, and polished with 600-grit SiC paper. The dentin surfa ces were treated with one of the combinations of a dentin bonding agen t and a technique. All condensation specimens were thermocycled 300 cy cles in water between 5-55 degrees C, and shear bond strengths were de termined with a Zwick Universal Testing Machine. Two-way ANOVA and Dun can's tests showed no significant differences (P > 0.05) in shear bond strength between hand and mechanical condensation of the paired group s, with the exception of Amalgambond Plus, where hand condensation was shown to be significantly better. For both condensation techniques, s hear bond strength of Amalgambond Plus with HPA powder was significant ly higher than the other materials. For mechanical condensation, OptiB ond was significantly higher than either Amalgambond Plus or All-Bond 2, and no significant difference was found between Amalgambond Plus an d All-Bond 2. For hand condensation, OptiBond was only significantly h igher than All-Bond 2, while there was no significant difference betwe en OptiBond and Amalgambond Plus or between Amalgambond Plus and All-B ond 2. In conclusion, for both condensation techniques, Amalgambond Pl us with HPA powder performed the best in bonding amalgam to dentin. Th e two different condensation techniques did not significantly affect s hear bond strength, except with Amalgambond Plus.