Aim: This study evaluated the effect of 10% ascorbic acid on the bond strength between fiber post and composite resin core after applying 24% hydrogen peroxide.
Materials and methods: Twenty-four hydrogen peroxide-treated fiber posts were divided into 4 groups (n = 6). Group 1 was the control group with no treatment. In groups 2-4, post surfaces were treated with 10% v ascorbic acid solution for 10, 30 and 60 minutes, respectively. Cores were built up using flowable composite resin. Two sticks were prepared from each specimen. Microtensile bond strength test was performed for each stick. Failure modes of sticks were evaluated under a stereomicroscope (×20). Surface morphologies of two fractured sticks from each group were assessed by SEM.
Statistical analysis: Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA and Tukey HSD tests (α = 0.05).
Results: The highest microtensile bond strength was observed in Group 4 (20.55 ± 2.09) and the lowest in Group 1 (10.10 ± 0.55). There were significant differences in microtensile bond strength between all the groups (P < 0.05).
Conclusion: It is concluded that ascorbic acid application increased the microtensile bond strength between the hydrogen peroxide treated fiber post and composite resin core. The increase is dependent on the duration of exposure to the antioxidant.
Keywords: Ascorbic acid; composite resin core; fiber post; hydrogen peroxide; microtensile bond strength.