The aim of this in vitro study was to evaluate dentin bond strength and marginal adaptation of direct resin composite fillings after different storage times. Three hundred sixty cavities were prepared in discs of freshly extracted human third molars and filled with resin composites. Multistep self-etching adhesives (Syntac Classic, A.R.T. Bond, both with and without total etching), three-step etch-and-rinse adhesives (Scotchbond Multi-Purpose Plus, EBS), and two-step etch-and-rinse adhesives (Prime and Bond 2.0, Syntac Single-Component) were used for bonding. After 1, 90, and 2190 days of water storage and 24 h thermocycling (1150 cycles), push-out testing was performed. From the 6-year group, replicas were made after 1 day, 90 days, and 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 years, and examined regarding marginal adaptation under an SEM (x 200 magnification). In all groups under investigation, push-out bond strengths remained stable after 90 days; however, the strengths significantly decreased after 6 years of water storage. The two-step systems exhibited lower bond strengths than three-step systems after 6 years. Marginal analysis revealed a significant loss regarding the percentage of perfect margins having been stable after 2 years for the three-step etch-and-rinse systems. Overall, the older three-step systems proved to be more effective than the simplified adhesives Syntac Single-Component and Prime and Bond 2.0 with regard to bond strength and marginal adaptation.
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