Background and Aims: Dentin contamination with different materials used in pediatrics is effective on the bond strength of adhesives to primary teeth. Therefore, the purpose of this in vitro study was to evaluate the effect of zinc oxide-eugenol and formocresol on the shear bond strength (SBS) of resin composite to the dentin in primary teeth.

Materials and Methods: A total of 72 extracted second morals were selected and mounted in acrylic resin. Buccal and lingual dentin surface were prepared and randomly allocated into 4 groups of 18 specimens each. Groups were subjected to different treatments as follows: group A, the surfaces were received no pretreatment and served as control; group B, the surfaces were covered with a paste of ZOE (Zoliran); group C, the surfaces were covered with a paste of ZOE (Kemdent); group D, specimens were placed on gauze soaked in formocresol. The specimens were covered with tinfoil and stored in distilled water at 37oC for 7 days. The temporary restorations were removed after one week. The dentin surfaces were treated with single bond adhesive resin 3M (ESPE/USA) according to manufacturer’s instructions and light cured for 20 seconds. Composite P60 columns (4 mm internal diameter and 3 mm height) were applied on the prepared surfaces and light cured for 40 seconds. Shear bond testing were carried out after 24 hours with a cross head speed of 0.5 mm/min. Statistical analysis was conducted using one- way ANOVA and Tukey Post-hoc test.

Results: The mean shear bond strengths were 17.52±3 MPa for group A, 15.41±3.3 MPa for group B, 15.63±3.2 MPa for group C, and 18.57±3.8 MPa for group D. There was no significant difference between the shear bond strength of group A compared with those of groups B, C, and D (P>0.05).

Conclusion: The bond strength of composite to dentin in primary teeth was not influenced by the zinc-oxide eugenol (Zoliran & Kemdent) or formocreosol.