The long-term durability of bonds between adhesive resins and dentin is of
significant importance for the longevity of bonded restorations. We carried
out an in vivo one-year study to evaluate the durability of resin-dentin b
ends in the oral cavity, as well as to test the hypothesis that the adhesiv
e interface would show morphological changes in cine over time. Very shallo
w saucer-shaped dentin cavities were prepared in 12 intact teeth of one Jap
anese monkey (Macaca fuscata) under general anesthesia. The cavities were r
estored with Clearfil Liner Bond II and Clearfil Photo Posterior resin comp
osite. The teeth were extracted at three different times: immediately, and
180 and 360 days after placement of the restorations. One day after the mon
key was killed, specimens of the three time periods were subjected to the m
icro-tensile bond test at a crosshead speed of I mm/min. The surfaces of th
e failed bonds were observed under a field emission scanning electron micro
scope (FE-SEM). Bond strength measurements in this study were successfully
performed and were stable at approximately 19 MPa Juring the one-year testi
ng. Scanning electron microscopic observations of the failed surfaces revea
led, at the top of the hybrid layer and within the adhesive resin, porosity
which increased over time. Long-term bonds can be assessed in vivo by the
combined evaluation of the microtensile bond strength and SEM morphological
examination of the adhesive interface.