Purpose The aim of this study was to comparatively investigate the effect of antioxidant treatment and delayed bonding after bleaching with carbamide peroxide on the shear bond strength (SBS) of a luting resin to enamel. Materials and methods Forty flat enamel surfaces were prepared from freshly extracted human molars using a low speed diamond saw, then divided into three bleaching groups ( n = 10/group) and a control group ( n = 10). Group 1 consisted of specimens bonded immediately after bleaching. Group 2 specimens were treated with an antioxidant agent, 10% sodium ascorbate, while Group 3 specimens were immersed in artificial saliva for 1 week after bleaching. Specimens in Group 4 were not bleached, but immersed in artificial saliva for 1 week before bonding. Forty ceramic blocks (Empress 2, Ivoclar) were prepared and luted to teeth using a dual-curing resin cement (Variolink II, Ivoclar). The specimens were thermocycled and the SBS tests were performed using a universal testing machine (crosshead speed: 0.5 mm/min). Fracture analysis of the bonded surfaces was done using a scanning electron microscope. Statistical analysis was carried out by Kruskall–Wallis and Mann–Whitney U-tests. Results While the samples that were immediately bonded after bleaching (Group I) demonstrated significantly lower shear bond strengths and 10% sodium ascorbate group (Group II) demonstrated significantly higher bond strengths than control group samples ( p < 0.05), no significant differences were found among delayed bonded group and control group ( p > 0.05). Conclusion Using sodium ascorbate with a concentration of 10% may be reliable for reversing the compromised bond strength.