Assessment of shear bond strength of composite resin to enamel surface with laser etching and acid etching: A comparative study

Abstract

Background: The principal aim of restorative dentistry was to restore the tooth to its form and function. Laser technology has improved significantly in the past 30 years. Lasers have been employed for tooth surface modification and improving restoration bonding. Hence; the present study was undertaken for assessing and comparing shear bond strength of composite resin to enamel surface with laser etching and acid etching. Materials & methods: A total of 60 freshly extracted permanent maxillary canines were included. All the specimens were divided broadly into two study groups as follows: Group 1: Specimens in which enamel bonding was done after acid etching, and Group 2: Specimens in which enamel bonding was done after laser etching. Bonding of composite to enamel surface was done both the study groups according to their respective methods of etching. Afterwards; composite resin was bonded to all the specimens. All the specimens were then placed in universal force testing machine for checking the shear bond strength. Results: Mean shear bond strength among specimens of group 1 and group 2 was found to be 28.46 MPa and 15.99 MPa respectively. While analysing statistically, it was seen that mean shear bond strength specimens of the acid etching group was significantly higher in comparison to the patients of the laser etching group. Conclusion: Mean shear bond strength of composite bonded after acid etching was significantly higher in comparison to composite bonded after laser etching. However; further studies are recommended.