Abstract
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) treatment on dentin bonding by means of contact angle (CA), shear bond strength (SBS), and microleakage (ML) measurements. Ultrastructure and nanoleakage (NL) of the interfaces were examined by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). For CA, SBS, and TEM evaluation, human molars were sectioned to expose dentin surfaces and were either acid‐etched (35% H~3~PO~4~) or further treated with 5% NaOCl for 2 min before the application of Single Bond adhesive. CAs were measured using the Axisymmetric Drop Shape Analysis technique. The Watanabe testing assembly was used for SBS evaluation. ML was assessed by a dye penetration method. NL was examined using a silver‐staining technique. The results showed that CA values decreased after acid etching and even more after NaOCl treatment. NaOCl treatment produced lower SBS than acid‐etched dentin. Both ML values and NL manifestations were similar for NaOCl‐treated and acid‐etched dentin. NaOCl did not completely remove the collagen matrix. NL was manifested along the base of hybrid layers and within the polyalkenoic acid copolymer in both groups. Adverse chemical interactions could have occurred between the remnant collagen matrix and/or mineralized dentin after NaOCl treatment. There is no additional advantage in using NaOCl treatment with this adhesive. © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res 60: 316–324, 2002; DOI 10.1002/jbm.10074