Bond strength test: Role of operator skill

Abstract

Background: Test method, substrate material and operator variability are factors known to affect bond strength test outcomes. The aim of this study was to determine if, with increasing experience, individual operator skill in material handling influenced microshear bond strength outcomes. Methods: This retrospective study used data collected from six preliminary tests carried out successively on enamel microshear bond strength for two adhesives: Clearfil SE Bond (Kuraray) and Adper Single Bond 2 (3M ESPE) by one operator. Mean and median microshear bond strength values, standard deviations and coefficients of variation for each adhesive test group were calculated and assessed. Results: A gra..