Effect of Using Different Chelating Agents on Shear Bond Strength of Resin-Modified Calcium Silicate-Based Capping Materials: An In Vitro Study

Abstract

This study evaluated the effects of chelating agents on the shear bond strength (SBS) of resin-modified calcium-silicate (RMCS) to dentine, as well as their impact on smear layer removal. Flat dentine surfaces from human molars were conditioned using 1% chitosan nanoparticles (CNP), 6% CNP, 9% etidronic acid (EA), 2.5% phytic acid (IP6), 7% malic acid (MA), 7% maleic acid (MeA), 10% citric acid (CA), 17% EDTA, 5.25% sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl), or distilled water (control). RMCS were applied and tested for SBS. Smear layer removal was examined using SEM, and tubule patency was digitally analysed. EDTA and IP6 showed the highest SBS, while NaOCl and EA were lowest without statistical significance. MeA, CA, IP6, and MA removed more smear layer; MA and IP6 resulted in higher dentinal tubules patency than the control group. Bond strength partly depends on the conditioning agent, and complete smear layer removal did not ensure the highest values.