Er:YAG laser cavity preparation and composite resin bonding with a single‐component adhesive system: Relationship between shear bond strength and microleakage

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to assess the performances of a single-component adhesive system when an Er:YAG laser was used to prepare cavities. STUDY DESIGN/MATERIALS AND METHODS: Shear bond strength tests were performed on composite rods bonded with a single-component adhesive system to dentin surfaces prepared using either bur+acid, Er:YAG laser (fluence = 44 J/cm2), or Er:YAG laser+acid. Class V cavities were prepared differently according to the molar surface: buccal surfaces were prepared using a diamond bur, and lingual surfaces using the Er:YAG laser. In group 1, cavity walls were not acid treated after Er:YAG laser preparation. In group 2, only the enamel walls were acid treated. In group 3, all the enamel and dentin walls were acid treated. Microleakage was assessed using a methylene blue dye penetration method. RESULTS: Bond strength values did not differ significantly between the three groups (P = 0.162). Better marginal adaptation was obtained between the composite resin and cavity walls when Er:YAG laser preparation was followed by a total acid etching (P = 0.008). CONCLUSIONS: Our results supported the use of single-component adhesive systems in cavities prepared using Er:YAG laser. The step of acid etching must be maintained for the whole cavity walls in regard of the microleakage values.