Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of thickness and adhesion of three resin cements on the fracture resistance of indirect resin composite bonded to dentin.
Methods: A disk of resin composite used for indirect restorations was bonded to a disk of bovine dentin using three kinds of resin cements with various bonding procedures. The bonding procedures were planned into five groups according to the materials and methods, and subsequently subdivided into three groups according to the cement thickness (50, 150 and 500 microm) in each bonding procedure. The thickness of the resin cement and that of the resin composite disk was changed simultaneously while maintaining a total specimen thickness of 2 mm. The prepared specimens were then stored in water at 37 degrees C for 24h at which time they were trimmed to a size of 2 x 2 x 8 mm. The trimmed specimens were subjected to a three point bending test and the fracture load determined. The tensile bond strength of each bonding procedure was measured and the correlation to the fracture load evaluated.
Results: The fracture load was affected by the dentin bond strength. The effect of cement film thickness on the fracture load was negligible.
Significance: When an indirect restoration is adhered to the tooth substrate, the adhesion of the luting cement to the tooth substrate is very important for the fracture resistance of indirect resin composite.