Effect of 2% chlorhexidine on dentin microtensile bond strengths and nanoleakage of luting cements

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of pre-treatment by chlorhexidine on the microtensile bond strength (mTBS) of resin cements and nanoleakage at the resin-dentine interfaces. Methods: Cylindrical composite blocks were luted to human dentine using resin cements (RelyX ARC, 3M ESPE: ARC; Panavia F, Kuraray Medical Inc.: PF; RelyX Unicem, 3M ESPE: UN) with/without pre-treatment by 2% chlorhexidine digluconate (CAVITY CLEANSER, Bisco, Inc., Schaumburg, IL, USA). CAVITY CLEANSER was applied on the acid etched dentine for 60 s in the ARC group, and on smear layer-covered dentine in the PF and UN groups. After storage in water for 24 h, the bonded teeth were sectioned into 1 mm thick slabs and further into 0.9 mm × 0.9 mm beams. After immersion in water or ammoniacal silver nitrate for 24 h, the beams were stressed to failure in tension. The fractured surfaces were examined by field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) using backscattered electron mode. The silver-stained slabs were used to examine nanoleakage within the bonded interface by FE-SEM. Results: The resin cement and chlorhexidine treatment had significant effects (p < 0.0001) on mTBS; while the storage media had no significant effect (p = 0.435). The mTBS of ARC was significantly higher than the other cements. Chlorhexidine reduced mTBS and produced pronounced nanoleakage when PF and UC were luted to dentine. Conclusions: Pre-treatment with chlorhexidine affected the integrity of dentine bonding with PF and UC, while there was no adverse effect on coupling of ARC.