ABSTRACT:

Aim: To compare the hydraulic conductance of human dentin disks which have been treated with an adhesive by operators of different genders and by active or passive modes of application. 60 third molars of healthy adults were included in resin blocks. These were cut to obtain 60 dentin disks of 1mm +/- 0.1 mm thick. Group 1 and 2, the adhesive was applied by 15 male operators passively (group 1) and vigorously (group 2). Groups 3 and 4, the adhesive was applied by 15 female operators passively (group 3) and vigorously (group 4). The flow rate was measured with a diffusion chamber and the hydraulic conductance of the disks was determined.

Results:

Mean for hydraulic conductance of each group was: 1 (0.01752), 2 (0.00355), 3 (0.01215), 4 (0.00877) in μl/minxcm2. There was statistically significant difference in the hydraulic conductance between experimental and control groups. There was no difference in dentin hydraulic conductance between genders. There was statistically significant difference in hydraulic conductance between the different modes of application. There was a moderate association between the pressure exerted when applying the adhesive and the values of dentin hydraulic conductance in vitro.