Keywords air polishing - bond strength - contamination - dentin - MDP-based cleaner - temporary
cement
Introduction
Bonded restorations have become increasingly prominent in restorative dentistry. This
shift in dental restorative practice prioritizes a minimally invasive approach, aiming
to preserve the quality of sound tooth structures and restore only the defective areas.[1 ] This change is driven by the development of adhesive systems with high bond strength
that can replicate the bonding area of the dentin–enamel junction[2 ] and by innovations in glass ceramics and zirconia that have led to high-strength
materials requiring minimal tooth preparation while effectively bearing occlusal loads.[3 ] However, previous publications revealed that the success of bonded restorations
was influenced by numerous factors and involves significant technical sensitivities
that clinicians must consider.[4 ] These factors included case selection,[5 ] choice of materials,[6 ] tooth preparation procedures,[7 ] and, importantly, adherence to proper bonding protocols.[4 ]
In the cases using conventional impression techniques, clinicians typically place
provisional restorations cemented with temporary materials while waiting for the fabrication
of indirect restorations, which usually requires at least a second visit. These provisional
restorations are crucial as they alleviate pain and sensitivity while maintaining
periodontal health; however, the choice of temporary cements is critical, as some
can adversely affect the bond strength of permanent restorations. The results of previous
publications showed that eugenol-containing temporary cements interfered with resin
cement polymerization, thereby weakening the bond strength.[8 ] Additionally, residues of temporary cements left on dentin surfaces could interfere
the adhesion of permanent restorations, presenting challenges for complete removal
and compromising the final bond strength.[9 ]
Currently, researchers are exploring various mechanical and chemical procedures to
decontaminate residual temporary cement and enhance bond strength. These methods include
tooth prophylaxis with pumice, air polishing with sodium bicarbonate particles, and
chemical decontamination. However, some techniques have demonstrated negative impacts
on bond strength. For instance, alumina sandblasting, with its higher Mohs hardness
compared to dentin and enamel, has raised concerns about excessive abrasion. This
excessive abrasiveness can potentially create an interfacial gap between the restoration
and the tooth structure.[10 ] Particles with lower abrasiveness, such as sodium bicarbonate, are proposed due
to their lower Mohs hardness, minimizing the risk of dentin surface damage.[11 ] However, there is no evidence supporting the efficacy of air polishing with sodium
bicarbonate in removing noneugenol temporary cement. In contrast, in chemical cleaning
procedures, several 10-methacryloyloxydecyl dihydrogen phosphate (MDP) based cleaners
consist primarily of MDP-salt and have a mild pH of around 4.5. These cleaners are
suitable for both intraoral and extraoral use. Previous studies demonstrated that
MDP-based cleaners effectively remove phosphate contaminants from saliva on zirconia-based
materials,[12 ] and eliminate carboxylate cements,[13 ] thereby improving bond strength.
However, there is limited evidence comparing the effectiveness of different cleaning
methods. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate and compare the most effective protocols
for cleaning areas contaminated by temporary cement. The null hypothesis was that
there would be no difference in the shear bond strength of dentin when comparing various
decontamination methods to the control.
Materials and Methods
Teeth Collection and Preparation
Fifty-two intact human third mandibular molars were collected with informed consent
prior to the study. The Human Research Ethics Committee of the Faculty of Dentistry,
Chulalongkorn University (Study code: HREC-DCU 2023-070) approved the procedures on
June 28, 2023. The teeth were disinfected in a 0.5% chloramine-T solution at 4°C for
1 week and were used within 6 months for experiments. Each tooth was examined under
a 10X stereomicroscope (SZ 61, Olympus, Japan) to ensure there were no cracks, hypomineralization,
or other visible defects.
The teeth were divided into four groups, each containing 13 specimens (10 for the
shear bond strength test and 3 for surface morphology and elemental analysis). All
selected teeth were embedded in polyvinyl chloride cylinders (SCG, Thailand) with
the cement–enamel junction positioned 3 mm above the epoxy resin. A low-speed cutting
machine (IsoMet 1000, Buehler) was used to make cross-sectional cuts parallel to the
horizontal plane, removing 3 mm from the cusp tips of all specimens to expose superficial
dentin. This exposure was confirmed using a stereomicroscope (SZ 61, Olympus, Japan)
at 40x magnification. To standardize the smear layer, all surfaces were wet-polished
with 600-grit silicon carbide paper (TOA Co. Ltd., Thailand) for 30 seconds using
a polishing machine (NANO2000T, PACE Technologies, Arizona, United States) at 100 rpm,
according to the protocol established by Santos et al.[14 ] Following polishing, the specimens were stored in distilled water at 37°C for 24 hours
before further processing.
Temporary Cementation Procedure and Decontamination Protocols
The details of the noncontaminated group (control group; group 1) and the contaminated
groups with different decontamination protocols (experimental groups: groups 2, 3,
and 4) are provided in [Fig. 1 ]. All materials used are listed in [Table 1 ]. All preparation steps were performed by a trained dentist to ensure consistency
with simulated clinical procedures.
Table 1
Materials' detail, composition, and manufacturer's instructions
Material
Product
LOT
Composition
Manufacturer's Instructions
Zinc Oxide Non-Eugenol Temporary Cement
3M RelyX Temp NE
9974658
Zinc oxide, white mineral oil, petrolatum
Mix equal amounts of the base and catalyst pastes for approximately 30 s
Self-cure acrylic
UNIFAST II, GC Corp
2303081
Powder: MMA (methyl methacrylate) and EMA (ethyl methacrylate) copolymer
Liquid: MMA
1. Dispense the powder in a rubber cup and add liquid
2. Mix with a plastic spatula for 10–15 s
3. Pour the mixture into the mold, and leave it to cure for 5 min
Air polishing
AquaCare Twin Air Abrasion Restorative Unit (Velopex, London)
10024
Sodium bicarbonate superfine particle size (65 µm)
Angle 45 degrees approximately 4 mm away from the surface at 58 psi for 10 s
MDP-based cleaner
Katana cleaner, Kuraray Noritake Dental
1D0038
MDP (10-methacryloyloxydecyl dihydrogen phosphate), triethanolamine, polyethylene
glycol, accelerator, dyes, water
1. Apply the solution to dentin
2. Rub the surface for 10 s
3. Rinse thoroughly, and then dry
Tooth primer
Panavia V5 Tooth primer, Kuraray Noritake Dental
360129
pH 2.0, 10-MDP, original multifunctional monomer, new polymerization accelerator,
HEMA (2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate), water, stabilizer
1. Apply and leave primer for 20 s
2. Air-dry
Resin cement
Panavia V5 Paste: automix type, Kuraray Noritake Dental
7R0247
Bis-GMA (bis-phenol A glycidyl methacrylate), TEGDMA (triethylene glycol dimethacrylate),
aromatic multifunctional monomer, aliphatic multifunctional monomer, new chemical
polymerization accelerator, DL-camphorquinone, photopolymerization accelerator, surface-treated
barium glass, fluoroaluminosilicate glass, fine particulate filler
1. Place automixed pastes
2. Light cure for 20 s
Resin composite
Filtek Z350XT
3M/ESPE
10129242
Organic phase: UDMA (urethane dimethacrylate), Bis-GMA, Bis-EMA (ethoxylated bisphenol-A
dimethacrylate), TEGDMA
Inorganic phase: silica (20-nm nonagglomerated/aggregated), zirconia (4- to 11-nm
nonagglomerated/aggregated and agglomerated), clusters, zirconia/silica aggregated
particles (20-nm silica particles combined with 4- to 11-nm zirconia)
Apply increment of 2-mm resin composite and light cure for 20 s
Fig. 1 Diagrammatic presentation of experimental groups. EDS, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy;
SBS, shear bond strength; SEM, scanning electron microscope.
To simulate an antagonist temporary crown, cylindrical acrylic stumps were fabricated
for each experimental group, with 13 stumps per group, each measuring 10 mm in diameter
and 5 mm in height, using Uni-fast III self-cure resin (GC, Tokyo, Japan) in plastic
molds. The stumps were initially set for 5 minutes and then soaked in distilled water
for 24 hours to complete the curing process.
In group 1, specimens were prepared for shear bond strength testing on fresh dentin
without any contamination. Specimens from groups 2, 3, and 4 were simulated for temporary
cementation with temporary cement (3M RelyX Temp NE Zinc Oxide Non-Eugenol Temporary
Cement) on the dentin surface, then compressed with acrylic stumps under a 1-kg load
using a test stand (PTC 471 Durometer stand), following the protocol of a previous
study.[13 ] After the temporary cement setting was completed, the specimens with acrylic stumps
were stored in distilled water at a controlled 37°C incubator (LK Lab, Korea) for
a week, referencing previous studies.[15 ] Following this period, the acrylic stumps and temporary cement were removed using
a spoon excavator with gentle brush strokes, 10 strokes from one side to the other,
to ensure complete cleaning as presented in [Fig. 2 ].
Fig. 2 Schematic representation of the procedure for specimen preparation. EDS, energy-dispersive
X-ray spectroscopy; SBS, shear bond strength; SEM, scanning electron microscope.
The decontamination protocols for groups 2 through 4 included the following:
Group 2: Specimens were polished with a 5-mg pumice slurry containing 20- to 80-µm irregular-shaped
particles (Whip Mix, United States) using a low-speed handpiece (NSK FX Contra 1:1,
Japan) set at 1,500 rpm for 15 seconds in a circular motion with a rubber cup, applying
a controlled force of 10 N by computer numerical control (IMT, Former A-11, Thailand).
Group 3: Similar to group 2 but followed by decontamination using a chairside air polishing
machine (Aqua Care Twin Air Abrasion Restorative Unit, Velopex, London) with 60-µm
irregular-shaped sodium bicarbonate particles (ProClean, Velopex, London). The handpiece
was positioned 4 mm from the dentin surface at a 45-degree angle and applied at a
pressure of 58 psi for 10 seconds.
Group 4: Similar to group 2 but followed by treatment with an MDP-based cleaner (Kuraray Noritake
Dental, United States), applying 100 µL to the dentin surface and rubbing with a single-use
micro-brush for 10 seconds, per the manufacturer's instructions.
After completing the decontamination protocols, the surfaces were rinsed with an air-water
spray from a three-way syringe held 4 cm above the surface for 20 seconds, kept moistened,
and immediately subjected to the shear bond strength test.
Shear Bond Strength Test
Forty resin composite rods, designed to simulate the final restoration, were crafted
using Filtek Z350XT (3M ESPE, St Paul, MN, United States) in silicone molds measuring
3 mm in diameter and 4 mm in height. The fabrication process involved layering 2-mm-thick
sections of resin composite, each light-cured for 40 seconds using a Demi LED light-curing
system (Kerr, Orange, CA, United States) at a controlled intensity of 1,100 to 1,330
mW/cm2 , as measured by a DEMETRON LED Radiometer (Kerr, CA, United States). Additional light
curing was performed after mold removal. The rods were then polished using 600-grit
silicon carbide abrasive paper (TOA Paint, Thailand) and their dimensions rechecked
with a digital caliper (Mitutoyo, Japan) to ensure they met specifications. Prior
to the shear bond strength test, the rods underwent sandblasting with 50-µm alumina
powder for 5 seconds at a pressure of 60 psi and a distance of 10 mm using a sandblaster
(Renfert Rolloblast Blaster, United States).
The shear bond strength tests were uniformly conducted for all groups. Moistened dentin
surfaces were treated with 50 µL of Panavia V5 Tooth Primer (Kuraray Noritake Dental)
using a single-use micro-brush for 20 seconds, then gently air-dried with oil-free
compressed air for 15 seconds. A2 color dual-cure resin cement (Panavia V5; Kuraray
Noritake Dental) was then applied to the sandblasted surfaces of resin composite rods
via an automix syringe. The rods were pressed onto the dentin surface and compressed
with a 1-kg weight to ensure proper seating, and excess resin cement was removed with
a single-use micro-brush. Specimens were light-cured for 20 seconds from four directions
to ensure complete polymerization and were then stored in distilled water at a controlled
37°C for 24 hours.
The shear bond strength tests were performed using a universal testing machine (EZ-S,
Shimadzu, Japan) with a chisel-shaped blade applying shear force parallel to the tooth
substrate–adhesive interface at a speed of 1 mm/min until failure occurred. The shear
bond strength data, recorded in megapascals, were calculated using the same formulation
as described by Santos et al[14 ] and Arafa et al.[16 ]
To evaluate failure mode, the fracture surface following shear bond strength testing
was evaluated under a 30x stereomicroscope (VHX600; Keyence, Itasca, IL, United States).
Failure mode classifications were based on three distinct patterns: adhesive, cohesive,
and mixed. Adhesive failure was characterized by complete separation of the resin
cement from the tooth, leaving no resin cement residue on the dentin surface. Cohesive
failure occurs within the resin cement, resin rod, or dentin itself. Mixed failure
was identified by partial detachment of the resin cement, where more than 25% of the
dentin surface was exposed and remnants of resin cement were visible.[16 ]
Surface Morphology and Energy-Dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy Analysis
Following the decontamination protocols, three specimens from both the control and
experimental groups were dried and coated with gold, then securely mounted on metal
stubs. Surface morphology was evaluated using a scanning electron microscope (SEM;
SU3500; Hitachi, Tokyo, Japan) at magnifications of 1,000X, 5,000X, and 10,000X. The
pumice and sodium bicarbonate particles were evenly spread over a round glass cover
and dried. The sample was then gold coated and examined using an SEM at 200X magnification.
Elemental composition, focusing on carbon (C), oxygen (O), phosphorus (P), calcium
(Ca), magnesium (Mg), and zinc (Zn), was determined using energy-dispersive X-ray
spectroscopy (EDS; EDAX Element EDS, United States) at an acceleration voltage of
10.0 kV.
Statistical Analysis
Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS software (SPSS, STAT 29 for Mac). The
normality of shear bond strength data was evaluated using the Shapiro–Wilk test. Differences
among groups were analyzed via one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by the
Tamhane post hoc test. Failure modes were reported as frequencies and percentages,
with differences in failure mode proportions among groups assessed using the chi-squared
test. A significance level of p < 0.05 was applied for all statistical tests.
Results
Shear Bond Strength and Failure Mode
The mean and standard deviations of shear bond strength values were presented in [Table 2 ]. The Shapiro–Wilk test confirmed that the data followed a normal distribution, with
a significance level of p > 0.05. The one-way ANOVA test revealed a statistically significant difference in
shear bond strength between the groups (p < 0.001). The Tamhane post hoc test indicated a significant difference in shear bond
strength between group 2 and the other groups: groups 1, 3, and 4 (p < 0.001) in all comparisons. Additionally, the statistical analysis showed no significant
differences between group 1 and group 3 (p = 0.918), group 1, and group 4 (p = 0.133), and group 3 and group 4 (p = 0.777).
Table 2
Shear bond strength values (mPa) of different decontamination methods
Group
Treatment
Mean ± SD
1
Control
12.92 ± 3.12a
2
Rubber cup with pumice alone
3.87 ± 1.18b
3
Air polishing with sodium bicarbonate
11.53 ± 3.24a
4
MDP-based cleaner
10.03 ± 1.83a
Abbreviations: MDP, 10-methacryloyloxydecyl dihydrogen phosphate; SD, standard deviation.
Note: Values with the same alphabets indicate groups that were not statistically different
(p > 0.05).
The most common failure mode observed across all groups was adhesive failure at the
cement–dentin interface. The secondary failure mode involved a mixed pattern at the
interface, which was evident in all groups. The tertiary failure mode, cohesive failure
within the dentin, was only observed in group 3. These findings are detailed in [Table 3 ]. Additionally, the chi-squared test indicated no significant association between
the different cleaning methods and failure modes (χ
2 = 4.86, p > 0.05).
Table 3
Failure modes in percentage and p -value for decontamination methods
Group
Failure modes (%)
Chi-squared
Adhesive
Mixed
Cohesive
1
80
20
0
χ
2 = 4.86
p = 0.562
2
80
20
0
3
50
40
10
4
70
30
0
Surface Morphology and EDS Analysis
Surface morphology observations at 1,000X, 5,000X, and 10,000X magnifications revealed
distinct differences among the groups, as illustrated in [Fig. 3 ]. In group 1, SEM images demonstrated a smear layer on the surface with no presence
of contamination. Group 2 exhibited residues of temporary cement with white irregular
globules, approximately 1 μm in diameter, distributed across the surface at all magnifications.
In groups 3 and 4, the smear layer partially occluded the dentinal tubules.
Fig. 3 SEM images of dentin surfaces of sound dentin (group 1) and contaminated dentin cleaning
after cleaning with different methods (group 2, 3, and 4) at magnifications of 1,000X,
5,000X, and 10,000X.
The SEM images of the pumice and bicarbonate particles, shown in [Fig. 4 ] at 200X magnification, revealed notable differences in morphology. The pumice particles
exhibited a combination of small and large irregular shapes resembling spindles, approximately
20 to 80 µm in diameter. In contrast, the bicarbonate particles showed a more homogeneous
size distribution with less sharp and more rounded shapes, approximately 60 µm in
diameter.
Fig. 4 SEM images of pumice and sodium bicarbonate particles.
The chemical elements of the main components for each material were presented in [Table 4 ]. All tested materials primarily contained carbon (C), oxygen (O), phosphorus (P),
calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), and zinc (Zn). The results indicated the highest zinc
(Zn) ratio in group 2. In groups 1, 3, and 4, a low level of zinc was still detected
on the surface.
Table 4
Results of EDS analysis (%weight)
Group
Contamination
Enhancing technique
C
O
P
Ca
Mg
Zn
1
✗
None
16.8
25.8
18.90
35.37
1.15
2.47
2
✓
None
23.7
13.9
21.03
31.58
0.87
8.84
3
✓
Air polishing
11.86
25.72
21.23
36.81
1.36
2.31
4
✓
MDP-based cleaner
12.62
25.29
24.63
31.94
1.40
2.48
Abbreviations: C, carbon; Ca, calcium; EDS, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy;
MDP, 10-methacryloyloxydecyl dihydrogen phosphate; Mg, magnesium; O, oxygen; P, phosphorus;
Zn, Zinc.
Discussion
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of various cleaning procedures
on the shear bond strength between dentin and resin cement. The results showed that
polishing dentin with pumice followed by either air polishing with sodium bicarbonate
or cleaning with an MDP-based cleaner significantly improved bond strengths compared
to using pumice alone. Thus, the hypothesis was rejected.
The presence of temporary cement contamination on dentin has been demonstrated to
compromise bond strength of definitive restorations.[17 ] This is due to a physical barrier of contaminants that impedes the proper infiltration
of adhesive resin into the dentin tubules and hindering the formation of a strong
and durable bond with the underlying tooth structure.[18 ] Consequently, restorations placed on contaminated dentin surfaces are more susceptible
to compromised bond durability, as reported in in vitro studies.[19 ] Dentin decontamination can be accomplished through various methods to improve bond
strength. These methods can be categorized into mechanical methods, such as pumice
slurry polishing and air polishing with particles, and chemical methods, including
the use of substances like chlorhexidine, sodium hypochlorite, and polyacrylic acid.[20 ]
In this study, to mimic clinical conditions, groups 2 through 4 were first polished
with pumice before their respective cleansing procedures. Group 2, polished solely
with pumice, showed the lowest shear bond strength, demonstrating that pumice alone
was inadequate for effective dentin decontamination. In contrast, group 3, treated
with air polishing using sodium bicarbonate at a controlled pressure of approximately
58 psi, as recommended by the manufacturer, achieved bond strength values comparable
to the control group, with no significant difference observed. This advantage could
be attributed to sodium bicarbonate's lower Mohs hardness compared to pumice particles,
which primarily contain silicon dioxide and aluminum oxide,[21 ] as well as its relatively fine and less sharp particles, with a size of 60 µm, as
revealed by the SEM images. This characteristic minimizes the risk of excessive iatrogenic
abrasion.[11 ] This result was consistent with a previous report, which demonstrated that decontamination
with sodium bicarbonate particles via air abrasion improved bond strength to between
dentin and zirconia.[22 ] Correspondingly, the SEM image after sodium bicarbonate cleaning revealed complete
surface cleaning with no remnants of temporary cement on the dentin surface, generating
a homogeneous and uniform finish.
An MDP-based cleaner, the chemical decontamination method used in this study, effectively
removed temporary cement and improved bond strength, comparable to the control group.
The MDP-based cleaner agent typically has a mild pH and consists of MDP and triethanolamine.
The MDP molecules feature a unique structure with both hydrophobic and hydrophilic
groups, making it a potential cleaning agent for the intaglio surfaces of various
indirect restorations, including those made from lithium disilicate,[23 ] zirconia,[23 ] resin ceramic,[13 ]
[23 ]
[24 ] and dentin.[24 ]
[25 ] The mechanism of the MDP-based cleaner involves the hydrophobic group of the MDP
salt binding to contaminants on the tooth surface when applied. This interaction disrupts
the surface tension of the contaminants, facilitating their breakdown. The MDP salt
then surrounds the fragmented contaminants, allowing them to be removed by rinsing
with water. Correlated with the SEM images, which revealed no residual temporary cement
on the surface, an unidentified layer was observed covering the dentinal tubules.
This layer potentially resulted from a mild etching effect induced by the MDP component.[26 ] Moreover, previous research indicated that both air polishing with sodium bicarbonate
and the MDP-based cleaner enhanced dentin wettability.[13 ]
[22 ] This improvement in wettability can be another factor contributing to the increased
adhesion between resin and dentin.[27 ]
The SEM images demonstrated that surfaces cleaned with sodium bicarbonate air abrasion
and the MDP-based cleaner, after tooth polishing, exhibited cleanliness with no residual
cement remaining, comparable to the noncontaminated group. This observation corresponded
with the high shear bond strength values, indicating the effectiveness of these cleaning
methods. However, decontamination with only pumice polishing proved insufficient due
to the presence of residual temporary cement. Elemental analysis further confirmed
an increase in zinc and oxygen on the dentin surface in the pumice group, indicating
incomplete removal of the temporary cement.[13 ]
[24 ] Previous studies revealed that zinc ions had a potential inhibitory effect on the
curing of resin materials.[28 ] Therefore, using more effective cleaning methods, such as sodium bicarbonate or
MDP-based cleaner, is crucial to ensure optimal bonding performance.
Air polishing with sodium bicarbonate and the use of an MDP-based cleaner are both
effective methods for decontaminating dentin. The MDP-based cleaner is particularly
advantageous as it cleans both tooth structures and restorations effectively. Nevertheless,
in clinical applications, the air polishing method requires careful management of
factors such as particle type, air pressure, duration, and distance to ensure optimal
results and avoid potential side effects.[29 ]
In this study, a dual-cure resin cement was classified based on its polymerization
mechanism and as a self-etch cement due to its adhesive properties. However, self-etch
and self-adhesive resin cements, such as Panavia V5, were more susceptible to contamination
compared to total-etch resin cements.[20 ] The absence of an etching step in these systems led to residual contaminants on
the tooth surface, potentially compromising both bond strength and the longevity of
the restoration. Conversely, total-etch resin cements, which required phosphoric acid
to remove the smear layer, could also remove contaminants, making the negative effects
of self-etch systems more pronounced than those of etch-and-rinse resin cements.[18 ]
To further address contamination issues, immediate dentin sealing (IDS) has emerged
as a valuable approach by applying a precured dentin adhesive immediately following
tooth preparation to generate a hybrid layer that protected against the adverse effects
of temporary cement. Meta-analyses have confirmed that the bond strength of resin-coated
dentin remains unaffected by temporary cement.[20 ] However, when resin-coated dentin becomes contaminated and cleaning is required,
air polishing with sodium bicarbonate is recommended, as it does not compromise the
thickness of the resin layer.[30 ] Additionally, chairside computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM)
systems, which facilitated same-day restoration delivery, can eliminate the waiting
period during restoration fabrication, thereby reducing the risk of contamination
from temporary cement.
This study had some limitations, as it focused on the immediate bond strength of restorations
to dentin, and future research should consider evaluating bond strength under simulated
aging conditions, such as thermocycling or water storage. Additionally, comparing
the effectiveness of MDP-based cleaner, air polishing with other particles, and other
chemical decontamination methods, such as phosphoric acid etching followed by sodium
hypochlorite, would provide valuable insights.
Conclusion
Pumice polishing by itself proved inadequate for complete removal of temporary cement,
leading to reduced bond strength of the resin cement applied afterward. The findings
of this study highlight that combining pumice polishing with either sodium bicarbonate
air polishing or MDP-based cleaner significantly improved the removal of temporary
cement. These methods restored bond strength to levels similar to those achieved with
fresh, noncontaminated dentin, suggesting their effectiveness in clinical scenarios
where temporary cement must be thoroughly removed prior to final cementation.