The purpose of this study was to compare the bond strength of resin-modified glass ionomer (RMGI) to dentin with saliva contamination at different stages and using different decontamination procedures. Extracted human permanent molars were embedded onto acrylic resin with the dentin surface exposed. Group I was a control group that was conditioned with polyacrylic acid (PAA). Groups II and III were contaminated with saliva before PAA conditioning and Groups IV, V, and VI were contaminated with

more »

... aliva after PAA conditioning. After saliva contamination, Groups II and IV were dried, Groups III and V were rinsed and dried, and Group VI was additionally conditioned with PAA. After surface treatment, the dentin specimens were filled with RMGI. Group I showed significantly higher bond strength than the other groups. Group VI showed a significantly higher bond strength than the other saliva contaminated groups. However, there were no significant differences in the failure mode between the different groups. Saliva contamination impaired the bond strength of RMGI to dentin, regardless of when the saliva contamination occurred. Decontamination with washing and drying could not improve the shear bond strength of RMGIC. When saliva contamination occurred after PAA conditioning, additional PAA conditioning improved the shear bond strength. Abstract 158 Corresponding author : Juhyun Lee