Figure 1.

Schematic representation of the specimen preparation for SEM and EDS analysis. (a) The occlusal enamel of the molar crown and the root portion were sectioned. (b) Two parallel sections were made on the remaining tooth. (c) The adjacent flats of dentin of the discs were each treated with the same bonding system. (d) A “sandwich” block of dentin-resin-dentine was made, laminating the disc-pairs with a low viscosity resin. (e) The block was mesio-distally sectioned producing 2 bonding interfaces in each half-block.