Comparative influence of triton and cavity conditioners on the surface characteristics and bond strength of dentin, indicating triton as a cavity conditioner

Aims: As modern adhesive strategies require more effective and biocompatible conditioners, this study aimed to investigate the effects of triton and polyacrylic-acid conditioners with and without prior phosphoric-acid etching on resin-dentin bond strength. Methods: Eighty-eight extracted human upper molars were used in this study. The teeth were sectioned at the enamel-dentin junction. The samples were randomly divided into eight groups (NCG: adhesive/ composite, CG: etching/ adhesive/composite, TR: Triton/adhesive/ composite, ETR: etching/Triton/adhesive/composite, CC: cavity conditioner/adhesive/composite, ECC: etching/cavity conditioner/adhesive/composite, DC: dentin conditioner/ adhesive/ composite, EDC: etching/dentin conditioner/adhesive/composite). One sample from each group was evaluated under a scanning electron microscope (SEM) to analyze surface morphology and dentinal tubule structure. The remaining samples were restored with a composite using a 3 mm diameter, 2 mm thickness mold. After thermocycling, shear bond strength was tested. Data were analyzed using Shapiro-Wilk, test two-way ANOVA, and Tukey post hoc tests (p0.05). The findings indicate that the combination of etching and conditioning significantly enhances the bond strength of composite restorations. Conclusion: Phosphoric acid etching followed by 20% polyacrylic acid or Triton yielded high bond strength. Triton can only be recommended as a cavity conditioner under etched dentin.