Shear bond strengths of dental composites cured at elevated temperatures

This study was undertaken to compare the shear bond strengths of a composite and dental adhesive system cured at room temperature to composites cured at 37/spl deg/C. Bovine incisors were embedded in cold curing acrylic. The facial surfaces were ground using SiC papers to expose enamel or dentin surfaces. The surfaces were prepared using the manufacturers directions and bonded at 22/spl deg/C and 50% relative humidity or 37/spl deg/C and 50% relative humidity. The shear bond strengths of the composite and adhesive were measured after storage in wafer at 37/spl deg/C for 24 hours. There was no significant difference in the enamel bond strengths, however the room temperature cured dentin samples exhibited higher bond strengths than the samples cured at 37/spl deg/C.