Role of adhesive systems on the luting interface’s thickness of ceramic laminate veneers

Abstract This in vitro study aimed to evaluate the effects of different luting protocols on the thickness of luting interface of ceramic laminate veneers. Thirty-six lithium disilicate blocks (7 × 8 × 0.6 mm) were cemented onto bovine enamel. They were divided into 6 groups based on the luting protocol (no previous photoactivation of the dental adhesive; previous activation of the dental adhesive only on enamel surface; and previous photoactivation of the dental adhesive on both the enamel surface and inner surface of ceramic laminate) and the luting materials used (Single Bond Universal/RelyX Veneer and Tetric N Bond/Variolink Veneer). The luting interface thickness of ceramic laminate veneers was evaluated using a laser scanning confocal microscope (n = 6). The luting interface measurements were analyzed using 2-way ANOVA and the Tukey least significant difference test (α = 0.05). Prior activation of the adhesive on the dental enamel and inside the ceramic laminate exhibited higher luting interface thickness than that with no prior photoactivation of both luting materials (p < 0.05). Specimens cemented with Tetric N Bond/Variolink Veneer, submitted for prior photoactivation of the adhesive on the dental enamel and on both dental enamel and inner surface of ceramic, exhibited lower luting interface thickness than those luted with Single Bond Universal/RelyX Veneer (p < 0.05). The prior photoactivation of dental adhesives influenced the thickness of luting interface in laminate restorations. Tetric N Bond/Variolink Veneer yielded more satisfactory results than Single Bond Universal/RelyX Veneer when the adhesive was light activated.