Flexural strength and shear bond strength of self-etching/self-adhesive resin luting agents

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI)Traditional resin luting agents generally have mechanical properties that are superior to the newer so-called “universal” self-etching/self-adhesive resin luting agents. However, recent reports indicate that some properties of these new luting agents have been improved, approaching those of the traditional etch and rinse resin luting agents. The objective of this study was to test some mechanical properties of four of these self-etching/self-adhesive resin luting agents [Maxcem Elite (ME), Multilink Automix (MA), RelyX Unicem (RU), SmartCem 2 (SC)] and compare them to a traditional etch and rinse resin luting agent [RelyX ARC (RA)] and a resin-modified glass ionomer luting cement [Fuji Plus (FP)], both of which have much longer histories of clinical success. By comparing the properties of the newer cements to the standards, it may be possible to determine how clinically successful the newer cements may be. The mechanical properties tested were flexural strength (FS) and shear bond strength (SBS). The FS test included making beams of each material, storing them in water for periods of time (24 hours and 90 days) and then performing a three-point bending test on a universal testing machine. The 90 day groups were thermocycled. The SBS test involved preparing human molar specimens, making flat dentin surfaces. Composite cylinders were fabricated, luted to the dentin surfaces with each of the materials tested, stored in water for periods of time (24 hours or 90 days), and then a knife edge shear test was performed on a universal testing machine. The 90 day groups were thermocycled. A Weibull-distribution survival analysis was performed. The results revealed significant differences in the FS of all materials tested at 24 hours. After 90 days and thermocycling, only SC and RA were not significantly different. At both time periods, FP had the lowest and MA the highest FS. The SBS results showed MA, RA, and RU to have the highest bond strengths; SC and ME the lowest at 24 hours. After 90 days and thermocycling, RA had significantly higher bond strength than all other groups; ME, FP and SC had the lowest. The self-etching/self-adhesive resin luting agents all performed at least as well as FP, with the exception of SC (SBS 24 hour). They did not all perform as well as RA, with the exception of SC (FS 90 day), MA (SBS 24 hour, FS 24 hour and 90 day), and RU (SBS 24 hour). The newer luting agents should expect to have clinical success, regarding flexural strength and shear bond strength, at least as good as resin-modified glass ionomer luting cements and approach the level of traditional etch and rinse resin luting agents