Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of the application of sodium metabisulfite (SMB) on the bond strength of bleached teeth.
Materials and methods: The study was divided into two parts. The first part evaluated the application of various concentrations of SMB for 1 h prior to the completion of bonding procedures. Fifty blocks were divided into five groups (n = 10): control; bleaching with 35% hydrogen peroxide (HP); HP + 5% SMB; HP + 12.5% SMB; and HP + 25% SMB. The second part evaluated the application of 25% gel SMB to either enamel or dentin, including the application time. Sixty blocks were divided into six groups (n = 10): control; bleaching with 35% HP; HP + 25% SMB for 1 h in enamel; HP + 25% SMB for 1 h in dentin; HP + 25% SMB for 10 min in enamel; and HP + 25% SMB for 10 min in dentin.
Statistical analysis: Following the completion of microshear bond testing, data were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance as well as Tukey's and Dunnett's tests.
Results: In part 1, data analysis revealed statistical differences (P < 0.0001) between HP and HP + 5% SMB. No statistical differences were found between the control and both HP + 12.5% SMB and HP + 25% SMB. Part 2 revealed a statistical difference (P = 0.001359) only between the bleached group and others.
Conclusions: The use of 25% SMB gel immediately after bleaching was able to reverse the deleterious effect of bleaching on the bond strength of dental composites to dentin.
Keywords: Antioxidant; bond strength; free radicals; microshear.