Purpose: To evaluate resin bond strengths to caries-affected versus normal
dentin using three self-etching primer adhesive systems. Materials and Meth
ods: Carious lesions were excavated and then bonded with one of three self-
etching primer adhesive systems (Clearfil Liner Bond 2, Clearfil Liner Bond
2V, A.R.T. Bond). A crown was then built up using a resin composite to a h
eight of 4 mm. Five to six serial slabs approximately 0.7 mm thick were sec
tioned perpendicular to the bonded surface. The bonded caries-affected or n
ormal dentin areas were isolated to create an hourglass configuration with
a cross-sectional area of approximately 1 mm(2). The specimens were subject
ed to tensile stress at a crosshead speed of 1.2 mm/min. The bonded interfa
ces to caries-affected and normal dentin were examined with an SEM. Results
: Clearfil Liner Bond 2 and Clearfil Liner Bond 2V produced high bond stren
gths to normal dentin, but significantly lower bonds than to caries-affecte
d dentin. (P < 0.05). For A.R.T. Bond, there was no statistically significa
nt difference between types of dentin. All three bonding systems produced t
hin (+/- 0.5-1.5 mu m) hybrid layers in normal dentin. When used on caries-
affected dentin, all self-etching primer systems produced hybrid layers tha
t were twice as thick as those produced in normal dentin.