An In-vitro Study Comparing the Shear Bond Strength of a Self-adhering Flowable Composite and a Bulk-fill Flowable Composite to Various Pulp Capping Materials, Including NEO MTA Plus, Dycal, Biodentine, and MTA

Aim: This study aimed to compare the shear bond strength of a self-adhering flowable composite (SAFC) and a bulk-fill composite when bonded to pulp capping materials, including NEO MTA Plus, Dycal, Biodentine, and MTA.

Materials and methods: A total of eighty acrylic blocks, each with a central hole 2 mm deep and 4 mm in diameter, were fabricated and assigned to two main groups (n=40 per group) based on the type of composite used (Dyad Flow or SDR). These groups were then subdivided into four subgroups according to the pulp capping material applied. The shear bond strength (SBS) was measured using a universal testing machine with a crosshead speed of 1 mm/min. Data were analysed using One way ANOVA test, Post Hoc Tuckey test and independent t- Test was used.

Results: The intergroup comparison of mean shear bond strength between SDR and Dyad flow was statistically significant (_<0.05) with higher strength in SDR as compared to Dyad flow when analysed using independent t test.

Conclusion: Among the eight subgroups, the combination of NEO MTA Plus and SDR demonstrated the highest shear bond strength.