DENTIN BONDING - THE EFFECT OF PRE-CURING THE BONDING RESIN

The 24-hour shear bond strength of two dentine bonding agents was dete rmined under two conditions. In the first, the adhesive bonding resin was cured prior to placing and curing the composite. In the second, th e adhesive resin and composite were cured together. Significantly grea ter bond strength values were obtained for both materials using the fi rst conditions. These differences in bonding characteristics are likel y to be significant from a clinical viewpoint as well as from a statis tical viewpoint. It is concluded that there is a need to establish the adhesive-dentine bond before applying and curing the composite.