Microhardness and Pushout Bond Strength of Glass Fiber Post-to-Canal Dentin Irrigated with Boric Acid, Nd: YAP, AgNPs, and Curcumin Activated with Microbubble Emulsion. A SEM, EDX Analysis

Abstract

This study aimed to assess the microhardness (MH) and push-out bond strength (PBS) of fiber post-to-canal dentin when boric acid (BA), Nd: YAP, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), and microbubble emulsion (MBE) with curcumin were used as irrigants. Canal therapy was performed and the post space was prepared. Prior to glass fiber post (GFP) insertion, the post space was irrigated using 2.5% NaOCl+17% EDTA, 10% BA+EDTA, Nd: YAP laser+EDTA, AgNP+EDTA, and MBE (curcumin)+EDTA. Following disinfection, microhardness was evaluated. GFP was then inserted and PBS was assessed at the coronal, middle, and apical levels, along with the examination of debonded surfaces via stereomicroscope. The data were analyzed using ANOVA and a Post Hoc Tukey HSD test. The results showed that MH was highest in the group treated with AgNP+EDTA and lowest in the group treated with 10% BA+EDTA. Within the cervical region, the Nd: YAP laser+EDTA group showed the lowest PBS, while the highest PBS was observed in the group treated with MBE (curcumin)+EDTA. In the middle region, the GFP bonded to canal dentin disinfected with 2.5% NaOCl+EDTA was comparable to that treated with Nd: YAP laser+EDTA. In the apical region, the PBS of GFP was highest in the canal disinfected with MBE (curcumin)+EDTA. The study concluded that silver nanoparticles+EDTA and curcumin photosensitizer via microbubble emulsion+EDTA have the potential to be used as alternatives to conventional methods for improving the adhesion of glass fiber post-to-canal dentin, along with enhancing microhardness.