Influence of phosphate buffered saline on the bond strength of endodontic cement to dentin

Aim: To analyze the influence of exposure and time of exposure to phosphate buffered saline (PBS) on the push-out bond strength (BS) of Biodentine to dentine. Methods: Eighty 2-mm-thick dentin discs were obtained from transversal sections of human teeth roots. The space of the canal was enlarged using #2–#5 Gates-Glidden burs to obtain 1.3-mm-diameter standardized cavities. The discs were immersed in 17% EDTA followed by 1% NaOCl and dried. The spaces of the canals were filled with Biodentine and the samples were divided into 2 groups (n=40) according to the storage: G1: exposure to moistened cotton pellet; G2: exposure to PBS. After 30 min, 1, 3 and 28 days, 10 samples of each group were subjected to the push-out test. Data were analyzed using ANOVA and Tukey test (p < 0.05). Results: The specimens exposed to PBS had lower BS (p < 0.05), except for the 1-day period (p = 0.6017). In specimens of Group 1 the BS increased up to 3 days (p < 0.05). In specimens in Group 2, the BS increased from 30 min to 1 day (p < 0.0001) and remained stable up to 3 days (p = 0.9876). At 28 days, a significant decrease was observed in the BS values of both groups (p < 0.05). Conclusions: The exposure of Biodentine to PBS led to lower BS values. In general, the BS increased gradually up to 3 days and reduced at 28 days.