EFFECT OF GLUMA DESENSITIZATION ON DENTIN BOND STRENGTH

Purpose: To determine whether the use of Gluma as a desensitizing agen t on tooth preparations has any effect upon the bond strength of a res in composite restoration cemented to dentin. Materials and Methods: Fo rty extracted human molars which were caries and restoration-free were occlusally reduced to remove enamel. Twenty of the teeth received a G luma desensitization treatment and 20 were untreated (controls). Follo wing a 7-day storage period, simulated resin composite inlays were bon ded to all of the dentin specimens, using either All-Bond 2 with All-B ond Crown and Bridge Cement or OptiBond with Porcelite Dual Cure. Twen ty-four hours later, the shear bond strength of the specimens was dete rmined. Results: Statistical analysis (paired t-tests) indicated no si gnificant difference in bond strength for Gluma-treated specimens when compared to controls, for either bonding material.