Table 2. Dentin surface treatment and application procedures.
| Application mode | Group | Dentin surface treatment | Application procedure* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Self-etch | SE1 (control) | A | An absorbent pellet or high volume evacuation was used for 1 - 2 sec to remove excess water. Desiccation was avoided. Adhesive was applied. |
| SE2 | A SRD | The bonding procedure was the same as for SE1. Fresh saliva was applied for 20 sec. A water rinse was applied for 5 sec, followed by 5 sec of gentle air-drying. | |
| SE3 | A SRD A | The bonding procedure was the same as for SE1. Fresh saliva was applied for 20 sec. A water rinse was applied for 5 sec, followed by 5 sec of gentle air-drying. The adhesive was reapplied. | |
| Etch-and-rinse | ER1 (control) | EA | The dentin was etched using an etchant for 15 sec and then rinsed thoroughly. Excess water was removed by blotting the surface with an absorbent pellet or high volume evacuation for 1 - 2 sec, leaving the preparation visibly moist. Adhesive was applied. |
| ER2 | EA SRD | The bonding procedure was the same as for ER1. Fresh saliva was applied for 20 sec. A water rinse was applied for 5 sec, followed by 5 sec of gentle air-drying. | |
| ER3 | EA SRD A | The bonding procedure was the same as for ER1. Fresh saliva was applied for 20 sec. A water rinse was applied for 5 sec, followed by 5 sec of gentle air-drying. Adhesive was reapplied. | |
| ER4 | EA SRD EA | The bonding procedure was the same as for ER1. Fresh saliva was applied for 20 sec. A water rinse was applied for 5 sec, followed by 5 sec of gentle air-drying. The ER1 bonding procedure was then repeated. | |
| Application of adhesive | Two separate coats were applied, scrubbing the preparation with a microbrush for 10 - 15 sec per coat. Excess solvent was evaporated by thoroughly air-drying with an air syringe for at least 10 sec, followed by 10 sec of light-curing. | ||
*According to the manufacturer's instructions.
A, adhesive (applied according to the manufacturer's instructions); S, salivary contamination (scrubbing with a microbrush for 20 sec); R, rinsing (5 sec); D, drying (5 sec); E, etching.