Dental unit waterline antimicrobial agents' effect on dentin bond strength.
BACKGROUND
In response to concerns of bacterial biofilm colonization of dental unit waterlines, a wide range of commercial intermittent and continuous chemical treatments for dental unit waterlines have been developed and marketed. There has been little research on the possible effect of continuous chemical treatment regimens on dentin-bonding agents. The authors evaluate the effect of four proposed antimicrobial agents used in dental unit waterlines on dentin bond strength.


METHODS
The authors used a fifth-generation dentin-bonding agent to bond composite cylinders to molar dentin surfaces. They then used selected antimicrobial agents as rinsing agents after conditioning. The composite cylinders were shear tested, and their fracture strengths were compared statistically.


RESULTS
All proposed antimicrobial agents reduced dentin bond strength. Proposed waterline treatment regimens of a diluted mouthrinse and chlorhexidine significantly reduced dentin bond strength compared with sodium hypochlorite and citric acid regimens.


CONCLUSIONS
Dental professionals should be aware of potential interactions between dental unit waterline antimicrobial agents and dentin-bonding agents. Further research in this area is warranted, as the clinical implications are uncertain at this time.


CONCLUSIONS
Dental unit waterline antimicrobial agents may adversely affect dentin bonding strength.
Roberts
H W
HW
USAF Dental Investigation Service, USAF School of Aerospace Medicine, Brooks AFB, Texas 78235-5117, USA.
Karpay
R I
RI
Mills
S E
SE
D000269:Adhesives / Q000737:chemistry; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local / Q000737:chemistry; D018441:Biofilms / Q000187:drug effects; D017438:Bisphenol A-Glycidyl Methacrylate / Q000737:chemistry; D002614:Chelating Agents / Q000737:chemistry; D002710:Chlorhexidine / Q000737:chemistry; D019343:Citric Acid / Q000737:chemistry; D003188:Composite Resins / Q000737:chemistry; D001840:Dental Bonding; D003748:Dental Equipment / Q000382:microbiology*; D003804:Dentin / Q000648:ultrastructure; D017220:Dentin-Bonding Agents / Q000737:chemistry*; D004202:Disinfectants / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004866:Equipment Contamination / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D009067:Mouthwashes / Q000737:chemistry; D012822:Silicon Dioxide; D012973:Sodium Hypochlorite / Q000737:chemistry; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D013499:Surface Properties; D014871:Water Microbiology; D015040:Zirconium
D000269:Adhesives; D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local; D002614:Chelating Agents; D003188:Composite Resins; D017220:Dentin-Bonding Agents; D004202:Disinfectants; D009067:Mouthwashes; C083568:Z100 composite resin; C115612:single bond; D019343:Citric Acid; D017438:Bisphenol A-Glycidyl Methacrylate; D012822:Silicon Dioxide; D015040:Zirconium; D012973:Sodium Hypochlorite; D002710:Chlorhexidine