Objectives. This study evaluated the effect of etching using 2% proanthocynidin-containing
10% phosphoric acid 2% PA/10% PhA vs. 35% phosphoric acid 35% PhA on immediate (IM) and
6-months (6 M) resin–enamel microshear bond strength (SBS), resin–dentin microtensile
bond strength (TBS), nanoleakage (NL) and as well as in situ MMP inhibition potential.
Methods. The dentin surface of human were exposed and then etched using 35% phosphoric acid for 15 s or 2% PA/10% phosphoric acid for 30 s. After rinsing with water, the
dentin was bonded with Single Bond Plus (3 M ESPE) and composite build-ups were constructed, followed by polymerization. The teeth were sectioned and the bonds were testing
for microtensile bond strength (TBS) and by SEM for NL analysis at IM and 6 M. For MMP
activity, resin–dentin slices were prepared for in situ zymography, and analyzed under confocal microscopy. For SBS, others teeth had flattened enamel surfaces etched according the
experimental groups and prepared to microshear procedure. The specimens were tested IM
and after 6 M by microshear bond strength. The data were submitted to two-way repeated
measures ANOVA and Tukey’s test (˛ = 0.05).
Results. Acid-etching using the 2% PA/10% phosphoric acid did not lower the TBS in IM
(p > 0.05) compared to the control 35% phosphoric acid group. However, after 6 M, only the
2% PA/10% PhA etched dentin had remained stable the resin–dentin bond strength (p < 0.05).
Bonds made with 35% PhA showed significant increase in NL% after 6 M (p < 0.05). Dentin
bonds made with 2% PA/10% phosphoric acid showed no increase in NL% after 6 months.
The MMP activity within the resin–dentin interface was almost completely reduced after 2%
PA/10% PhA etching, while the 35% PhA exhibited intense MMP activity. For SBS, the type
of etchant and the storage period did not affect the resin–enamel bond strengths (p > 0.05).