Influence of Self-Etching Adhesive Systems on Restorative Material Surfaces

This study evaluated the microhardness of restorative materials after the use of self-etching and acid-etching adhesives. Specimens were divided into four groups: Group 1 (CR): Composite resin, Group 2 (GIC): Glass ionomer cement chemically activated, Group 3 (EC): Dual resinous cement, Group 4 (E): Dual resinous cement. Each group was divided into three subgroups, according to the type of adhesive system applied on the surface: Subgroup 1 (C): Control subgroup, Subgroup 2 (XE): Xeno III self-etching adhesive, Subgroup 3 (SB): Single bond acid-etching adhesive. Vickers microhardness analysis was performed on the surfaces and the data were submitted to the two-way ANOVA and the Tukey's test. The means for the material factor: GIC: (35.61)a; CR: (43.54)b; E: (44.65)b; EC: (50.13)c. The means for the adhesive factor: SB: (36.35)a; XE: (38.44)a; C: (55.65)b. All materials tested showed a decrease in surface hardness after application of the adhesive systems, irrespective of the system. The lowest microhardness was shown by GIC and the highest by Enforce Core.