TEM morphological characterization of a one-step self-etching system applied clinically to human caries-affected dentin and deep sound dentin

Purpose: To examine morphologically the hybrid layer of one-step self-etching adhesive, Clearfil S3 Bond (S3bond), in caries-affected dentin (CAD) and deep sound dentin (DSD) cavities performed clinically. For a comparative group, the two-step self etching adhesive Clearfil Protect Bond (Pbond) was used in a similar clinical situation. Methods: This study was carried out on carious and sound teeth clinically selected for extraction. In carious teeth, CAD was obtained by way of subjective criteria by removing infected tissue to form a cavity bottom. DSD was obtained at a depth of 4 mm in the dentin cavity of sound teeth. S3bond and Pbond were applied in the CAD and DSD cavities as indicated …