Purpose: The purpose of this in vitro study was to measure the microtensile bond strength of a nanofilled composite resin to human dentin after nonvital bleaching at different post-bleaching time intervals, and to analyze the fracture mode under SEM. Materials and Methods: Thirty-six sound human maxillary premolars extracted for orthodontic reasons were prepared in a standardized manner, and randomly assigned to four groups (n = 9): non bleached (control) (NB); bleached with sodium perborate and 35% hydrogen peroxide (SP-HP); bleached with 35% hydrogen peroxide (HP); and bleached with 37% carbamide peroxide (CP). Each group was subdivided into 3 subgroups (n = 3): restored immediately (R0); restored after 7 days (R7); and restored after 14 days (R14). The teeth were stored in distilled water for 24 h, sectioned 4 mm below cementoenamel junction, and the crown was serially sectioned to obtain sticks (0.9 mm2 cross section) for microtensile bond strength testing. The μTBS samples were attached to a universal testing machine (Instron, model 4444), using a Geraldeli’s device. The test was performed until the fracture of the specimens, and all specimens were analyzed under a scanning electron microscope (Philips XL-30). Results: Two-way ANOVA (p = 0.05) revealed that there were no statistically significant differences of bond strength values for the bleaching agents used, or at different post-bleaching time intervals. Conclusion: It was concluded that the definitive restoration can be accomplished immediately after nonvital bleaching treatment.

Keywords: tensile bond strength, nonvital bleaching, microtensile bond strength test, scanning electron microscopy