The use of warm air stream for solvent evaporation: effects on the durability of resin-dentin bonds.

This study evaluated the effect of a warm (W) or cold (C) air-dry stream for solvent evaporation on the immediate (IM) and six-month (6M) resin-dentin bond strength (microTBS) and silver nitrate uptake pattern (SNU) of two-step etch-and-rinse adhesive system (Adper Single Bond [SB] and Prime & Bond 2.1 [PB]). The adhesives were applied on demineralized dentin surfaces and a warm or cold air-dry stream (10 seconds) was applied followed by light-activation (10 seconds). After 24-hours of water storage, the specimens were serially sectioned in the "x" and "y" directions to obtain bonded sticks around 0.8 mm2 to be tested immediately or after six months of water storage. The specimens at each period were immersed in a 50% solution of silver nitrate, photodeveloped and analyzed by SEM for SNU. Higher IM microTBS values were observed for SB under W conditions. Both adhesives showed reductions in microTBS after 6M in both air temperatures. Regarding SEM, a low silver nitrate uptake was observed in the W groups either in IM or 6M for both adhesives.