Purpose: To evaluate the tensile bond durability and ability of four MMA-based adhesive resins to prevent demineralization along the hybrid layer when exposed to a demineralizing solution.
Materials and Methods: A PMMA rod was bonded to human dentin using one of four MMA-based adhesive systems: Super-Bond C&B (SB), SBP-40TX (SBP, experimental), M-Bond (MB), and M-Bond II (MB II). Bonded specimens were sectioned into 0.9 mm x 0.9 mm beams and subjected to microtensile bond strength (µTBS) testing after water storage at 37°C for 24 h or 10,000 thermal cycles. Data were analyzed with two-way ANOVA and Bonferroni’s t-test. Fracture mode analysis of the bonding interface was performed using a scanning electron microscope (SEM) and statistically analysed using the chi-square test. To disclose the demineralization inhibition potential through formation of an acid-base resistant zone (ABRZ), the bonded interface was exposed to a demineralizing solution (pH 4.5) for 90 min, and then 5% NaOCl for 20 min. After argon-ion etching, the interfacial ultrastructure was observed using an SEM.
Results: µTBS values without thermocycling were not significantly different (p > 0.05) among 4 adhesive resins. After thermocycling, a significant decrease in µTBS was found in MB and MB II (p < 0.001), whereas SB and SBP showed no significant change (p > 0.05). Failure modes were significantly different (p < 0.05). An ABRZ was seen in SBP, MB, and MB II, while this protective zone was absent in SB.
Conclusion: Dentin bonding performance after thermocycling was material dependent in MMA-based adhesive resins. The ABRZ formation was only observed in the self-etching systems.

Keywords: MMA-based adhesive resin, microtensile bond strength, acid-base resistant zone