Aim of the study was to compare the trimming and non-trimming variants of the microtensile technique with the 'micro' push-out test in the ability to measure accurately the bond strength of fiber posts luted inside root canals. In 15 endodontically treated teeth (Group A), fiber posts were cemented with Excite DSC in combination with Variolink II (Ivoclar-Vivadent). In 15 roots RelyX Unicem (3M-ESPE) was used for fiber post luting (Group B). Within each group, the bond strength of cemented fiber posts was assessed with the trimming and non-trimming microtensile technique, as well as with the push-out test. The great number of premature failures (16.9% in Group A, 27.5% in Group B) and the finding of high standard deviation values make questionable the reliability of the trimming microtensile technique. With the non-trimming microtensile technique, only five sticks were obtained from a total of six roots. The remaining specimens failed prematurely during the cutting phase. With the push-out test no premature failure occurred, the variability of the data distribution was acceptable, and regional differences in bond strength among root levels could be assessed. Relatively low values of bond strength were, in general, recorded for luted fiber posts. In conclusion, when measuring the bond strength of luted fiber posts, the push-out test appears to be more dependable than the microtensile technique.

Resin cement diffusion into dentin may differ as a function of the pre-treatment regimen. Since self-adhesive cements do not require substrate pre-treatment for luting, penetration of and interaction with the underlying dentin are questioned. We hypothesized that differences in the resin cement diffusion into dentin may exist among current commercial adhesive cements. Composite cylinders were luted on mid-coronal dentinal surfaces by an etch-and-rinse cement (Calibra), a self-etching system (Panavia F 2.0), and 4 self-adhesive cements (Multilink Sprint, Rely X Unicem, G-Cem, Bis-Cem). Dentin/cement interfacial characteristics were analyzed by a staining technique (Masson's trichrome) and by scanning electron microscopy. Conventional acid etching resulted in partially infiltrated adhesive interfaces differing from those achieved with the application of self-etching primer. No hybrid layer and/or resin tag formation was detectable at the interfaces bonded with self-adhesive cements. Limited decalcification/infiltration was observed for self-adhesive cements into the underlying dentin. Self-adhesive cements were not able to demineralize/dissolve the smear layer completely.

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