Influence of type of bur and acid etching on dentin hydraulic conductance.

The aim of this study was to compare ex vivo filtration rate (hydraulic conductance) in human dentin discs mechanically treated with diamond and carbide burs of different grain size with or without acid etching. Method: 60 healthy third molars, recently extracted from patients aged 18-30 years, were cleaned, disinfected (0.1% thymol) and embedded in epoxy resin blocks. Dentin discs were obtained by cutting the occlusal surface with cylindrical rotary instruments, forming nine groups containing 12 specimens each: 1: fine grain (FG); 2: medium grain (MG); 3: coarse grain (CG); 4: carbide (C) burs; 5: FG with acid etching (AE); 6: MG with AE; 7: CG with AE; 8: C with AE; 9: only AE. Hydraulic conductance was determined in the experimental model under constant pressure of 200mm H2O. No difference in hydraulic conductance was observed among dentin discs treated with different types of burs (p = 0.5). Differences were found in the hydraulic conductance of etched and non-etched dentin discs (p < 0.001). The type of mechanical bur treatment does not affect dentin hydraulic conductance. Acid etching significantly increases dentin hydraulic conductance.