The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of phosphoric acid etching, metal primer or silane coupling agent application on dentin bonding performance of a 2-step self-etch adhesive system. Human dentin surfaces were prepared and divided into four groups depending on the pre-treatment method: no pretreatment (Clearfil SE Bond 2, CONTROL); 40% phosphoric acid (K-Etchant GEL, K); metal primer (Alloy Primer, AP); or silane coupling agent (Porcelain Bond Activator, PB). The specimens were sectioned into beams, separated into 2 subgroups (n=20): no thermocyling or thermocycled (TC), and subjected to a µTBS test and an acid-base challenge for SEM observation. Statistically lower results were observed between K and AP groups, PB and CONTROL, and PB with/without TC (p<0.05). SEM images at the dentin-adhesive interface revealed that all groups produced an acid-base resistant zone (ABRZ), with a funnel-shaped erosion under the ABRZ for the K group.
Keywords: ABRZ; Alloy primer; Repair systems; Silane coupling agent; µTBS.