Publication

Abstract : The aim of this work was to study the bond strength of resin composite bonded to dentin Surfaces treated with KrF excimer laser radiation, untreated surfaces, and acid-etched surfaces using a single-plane shear method. Dentin specimens cut from freshly extracted permanent molar teeth were subjected to laser treatment with a KrF excimer laser (248 nm) using a fluence of 1 J/cm(2). The bond strength was greater for acid-etched specimens than for laser treated or untreated specimens. The low strength of the bond to laser treated surfaces is probably due to a shift from a mixed to a cohesive rupture mechanism. It was concluded from this study that surface treatment of dentin surfaces with KrF excimer laser under the conditions described does not significantly improve the shear bond strength to composites. (C) 2009 Laser Institute of America.