Abstract
Aim: The current study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of chlorhexidine (CHX), phycocyanin photosensitizer (PC), green tea extract (GTE), and propolis (PP) on the adhesive bond integrity and microleakage of caries-affected dentin (CAD) using etch and rinse adhesive system. Material and methods: A sum of 80 extracted human mandibular molars was collected and assessed using ICDAS criteria. Randomly CAD samples were treated with different disinfectants (n = 20) each CHX, PC, GTE, and PP. After ensuring disinfection, specimens were rehabilitated with bulk-fill composite resin employing etch and rinse adhesive system. SBS testing was performed by engaging (n=10) specimens in a universal testing machine. Microleakage analysis was performed by using the dye penetration technique.A stereomicroscope under 40x magnification was utilized for analyzing failure modes. Statistical analysis was accomplished by using the ANOVA and Tukey's post hoc tests (p < 0.05). Results: Highest bond strength was displayed by CAD disinfection with CHX and bonded to resin cement (15.33 & PLUSMN; 0.14 MPa). Whereas, the lowest SBS bond value was presented by Group 2 dentin surface disinfection with PC. CAD disinfected with GTE, PP and CHX demonstrated comparable SBS(p > 0.05). The maximum microleakage score was exhibited when CAD bonded to resin cement disinfected with PP. While the minimum microleakage score was unveiled CAD bonded to resin cement sanitized with CHX Conclusion: Caries-affected dentin bonded to resin cement, chlorhexidine exhibited the highest adhesive shear bond strength with a minimal microleakage score using etch and rinse adhesive system.