The Effect of Energy Densities on the Shear Bond Strength of Self-Adhering Flowable Composite to Er:YAG Pretreated Dentin

Figure 5

SEM observation after SBS done on dentin surfaces bonded with self-adhering flowable resin composite. (a) shows cohesive fracture with resin composite remnants; some tubules are open without any visible tags or plugs inside. (b) shows adhesive fracture; dentin tubules are visible. Most of them are filled with resin tags or plugs; fracture occurred between tags and composite; peritubular collagen fibrils are visible. (c) shows typical adhesive fracture; dentin is totally visible; tubules are open with less resin composite tags or plugs inside, signifying less infiltration of self-adhering flowable resin composite inside dentin tubules; and peritubular collagen fibrils are visible. (d) shows a large amount of dentin tubules with smaller opening and typical adhesive fracture; and fewer tags or plugs infiltrated dentin tubules. R: resin composite; T: tags or plugs; Tb: dentin tubules.

(a)

(b)

(c)

(d)