Background/Aim: This in vitro study aimed to evaluate the microtensile bond strength (µTBS) of a self-adhesive flowable resin composite (Vertise Flow) under simulated intrapulpal pressure IPP) and compare it to a conventional adhesive and flowable composite combination.
Materials and Methods: Thirty human molars were used. IPP of 15 cm H2O was applied. Group I (control): Adeper Easy One + Z 250 (composite), Group II: Etching + Adeper Easy One + Z 250, Group III: Adeper Easy One + flowable composite + Z 250, Group IV: Etching + Adeper Easy One + flowable composite + Z 250, Group V: Vertise Flow + Z 250, and Group VI: Etching + Vertise Flow + Z 250. Data analysis employed one-way ANOVA with Tukey's post-hoc test for inter-group comparisons (at P < 0.05).
Results: Etching the dentin prior to bonding with Adeper Easy One significantly increased µTBS to 25.12 MPa (S.D.: 5.78 MPa). Application of flowable composite resulted in a µTBS of 13.62 MPa (S.D. = 5.50 MPa), not statistically different. Group IV exhibited the highest mean µTBS (31.26 MPa, S.D. = 6.04 MPa). Group V showed the lowest mean µTBS (8.89 MPa, S.D. = 0.97 MPa). Etching before application of Vertise Flow in Group VI showed significant increased µTBS to 13.83 MPa (S.D. = 1.33 MPa)
Conclusion: Dentin conditioning before application of Vetise Flow is necessary to produce a µTBS comparable to that of conventional approach of self-etch adhesive.