Theobromine versus Casein phospho-peptide/Amorphous Calcium Phosphate with Fluoride as remineralizing agents: Effect on resin-dentine bond strength, microhardness, and morphology of dentine

Background: This study aimed to assess the impact of theobromine and casein phospho-peptides/amorphous calcium phosphate with Fluoride (CPP/ACPF) on the resin-dentine bond strength, microhardness, and dentine morphology. Methods: : Based on the pre-treatment used, 18 sound human third molars were split into six groups.; sound dentine, demineralized dentine, and demineralized dentine treated with theobromine and MI paste plus for two-time intervals; 5 minutes and 1 month. The bonded teeth were sectioned to produce 1 mm 2 resin-dentine sticks which were evaluated for micro-tensile bond strength (µTBS) using a universal testing device. The dentine microhardness was tested by using the Vickers microhardness tester. The pre-treated dentine surface was examined using Scanning electron microscopy/energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM/EDX). µTBS results were analysed with two-way ANOVA. Microhardness and EDX results were analysed with two-way mixed model ANOVA. Results: : While both remineralizing materials at the two-time intervals demonstrated µTBS comparable to sound dentine, the demineralized group demonstrated statistically the lowest µTBS. Whether used for 5 minutes or 1 month, theobromine significantly increased the microhardness, whereas MI paste only increased the hardness after 1 month. Conclusions: : The pre-treatment of demineralized dentine with theobromine and MI paste plus could enhance its bond strength and microhardness.