The overwet phenomenon: A scanning electron microscopic study of surface moisture in the acid-conditioned, resin-dentin interface

Purpose: To study with the scanning electron microscope the interfacial phenomenon that occurred in the presence of excessive surface moisture following the application of an acetone-based adhesive to acid-conditioned dentin. Materials and Methods: Specimens consisted of flat dentin discs that were divided into three groups based upon the status of remaining surface moisture: (1) 3-second dry group, (2) blot-dry group, with the conditioned dentin surface remaining shiny as opposed to matte, and (3) overwet group: an additional 40 mL of distilled water spread thin on the dentin surface after blot-drying. Polished resin-dentin interfaces were brought into relief using plasma-etching and examined without further embedding. Results: Although a hybrid layer was observed in all three groups, there was (1) a sequential deterioration of the bonded assembly along the hybrid layer-resin interface, and (2) loss of complete tubular seal as the quantity of surface moisture increased. Intratubular resin globules were observed beneath short resin plugs in the 3-second dry group. Small, isolated blister-like spaces, trapped within the resin layer, were observed along the surface of the hybrid layer in the blot-dry group, while similar, but larger spaces were found in the overwet group. The blister-like spaces, which were often continuous with incompletely sealed tubular orifices, were partially filled with extraneous resin globules dispersed within an amorphous matrix.