Can a New HEMA-free Two-step Self-etch Adhesive Improve Dentin Bonding Durability and Marginal Adaptation?

A new two-step self-etch adhesive (2-SEA) free of hydrophilic monomers was evaluated. Its microtensile bond strength (µTBS) to dentin under various aging conditions, interfacial gap formation, water sorption/solubility, and formation of an acid-base resistant zone (ABRZ) were evaluated and compared with a gold-standard 2-SEA.The new 2-SEA G2-Bond Universal (G2; GC) was compared to Clearfil SE Bond 2 (CSE2, Kuraray Noritake). Their µTBS to sound coronal dentin was tested after 1 week, 10,000 thermal cycles (TC), 20,000 TC, 6 months and 1 year. Failure mode was determined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Gap formation at the interface of 2-mm deep tapered cavities with an enamel border was observed using swept-source optical coherence tomography after 1 day, 1 week, 10,000 TC, and 20,000 TC. In addition, water sorption and solubility of the bonding agents was measured, and ABRZ formation was evaluated using SEM.There was no significant difference in µTBS between G2 and CSE2 (p > 0.05), and the aging conditions had no significant effect on µTBS (p > 0.05). In all groups, cohesive failures prevailed (55%-95%). Interfacial gap formation was initially similar for both adhesives (p > 0.05), but G2 exhibited a significantly lower gap formation than CSE2 after TC (p < 0.05). The water sorption of G2 was significantly lower compared to CSE2 (p < 0.05), and their solubility was statistically similar (p > 0.05). ABRZ of similar thickness was observed with both adhesives.The new 2-SEA exhibited stable dentin bonding and increased hydrophobicity resulting from the absence of hydrophilic monomers.