Abstract
The effect of collagen dissolution in acid conditioned dentin was morphologically examined by both scanning and transmission electron microscopy. 18 freshly extracted human molars and dentin bonding systems of All Bond 2, Scotchbond Multipurpose, Superbond D-Liner were used in this study. For SEM preparation, each 3 of ~ exposed dentin surfaces were acid conditioned by using various acids within the above three bonding systems respectively. After acid conditioning of the other 3 exposed dentin surfaces as above, they were treated with 1.7% NaOCl for 2 minutes. The remaining 3 dentin surfaces were acid conditioned and treated with 3.3 % NaOCl for 2 minutes. All of the specimens were then fixed in 4 % glutaraldehyde for 12 h at $4^{\circ}C$ and dehydrated in ethanols grades from 50 % to 100 %, then surface changes of the specimens were observed by using SEM. For TEM preparation, exposed dentin surfaces were acid conditioned with the same acid as SEM specimens and treated with 1.7%, 3.3 % NaOCl respectively, then applied with corresponding bonding agents. After the procedures were finished, composite resin were applied on the dentin surfaces and light cured. Small, rectangular sticks with end dimensions of approximately 1 by 1 mm were sectioned and further sample preparative techniques for transmission electron microscopy were performed in accordance with the procedures used for ultrastructural TEM observations of calcified tissues. The results were as follows : 1. In the 1.7 % NaOCl retreated specimens after acid conditioning, the porous dentin surface of intertubular dentin and wide opening of dentinal tubules were appeared. And there were fine irregularities on the intertubular dentin, indicating a clear difference as compared with the acid conditioned specimens. 2. In the 3.3% NaOCl retreated specimens after acid conditioning, the intertubular dentin was further eroded causing a more porous and wider opening of dentinal tubules. Moreover, sharp irregularities on the intertubular dentin were more evident than those of acid conditioned and 1.7% NaOCl retreated specimens. 3. In all of the acid conditioned specimens, the resin-dentin hybrid layer of approximately 3.5mm thickness was formed and the collapsed collagen layer was observed on the uppermost part of hybrid layer in the specimens applied with All Bond 2. The collgen fibrils of intertubular dentin in specimens applied with Scotchbond Multipurpose were running perpendicular to the interface, and electron dense black layer demarcated from the deep unaltered dentin was more evident in the specimen applied with Superbond D-Liner than any other specimens. 4. In the 1.7 % NaOCl retreated specimens after acid conditioning, the resin-dentin hybrid layer of approximately 2.5-3.0mm thickness was formed and the collapsed collagen layer and longitudinally running collagen fibrils as shown in the acid conditioned specimens were observed in the specimens applied with All Bond 2 and Superbond D-Liner. 5. In all of the 3.3% NaOCl retreated specimens after acid conditioning, the evidence of resin-dentin hybrid layer was not identified ; nevertheless, the longitudinally running collagen fibrils remained slightly in the specimens applied with All Bond 2.