Statement of Problem: Considering that the role of collagen fibers in dentin adhesion has not been thoroughly established yet, the removal of exposed collagen fibers with a deproteinization agent such as sodium hypochlorite following etching may facilitate access of adhesive resins to a substrate that is more penetrable and less sensitive to water content which in turn would lead to a more durable bonding system. Furthermore, due to sodium hypochlorite clinical application as a cleanser or canal irrigator, its effects on the surface before etching may influence adhesive bonding strength.

Purpose: The goal of this study was to evaluate the effects of a two-minute 5.25% NaOCL application on composite restorations microleakage, using two different adhesive systems.

Materials and Methods: In this interventional experimental study, on seventy-two extracted boving incisors class V cavities were prepared on dentinal surfaces. The specimens were then randomly divided into six equal groups: A1) Acid etch (AE) dentin bonding Scontchbond Multipurpose Plus (SBMBP), A2) AE/ dentin bonding One Step (OS), B1) NaOCL/ AE/SBMPp, B2) NaOCL/AE/OS, C1) AE/NaOCL/SBMPp, C2) AE/NaOCL/OS. After bonding procedures according to the manufacturer’s instructions, cavities were restored using Z100 composite. Then, the specimens were thermocycled for 500 times in water baths of 5 and 55C. After thermocycling, the specimens were immersed in a 0.2% solution of basic fuchsin for 24 hours. A buccolingual section at the center of each restoration was obtained and examined with a stereomicroscope to evaluate color penetration into cavities. The data were subjected to two-way variance analysis.

Results: The microleakage of group B was significantly less than those of A and C (P<0.001). No significant difference was found between groups A and C (P=0.73). There were also no significant differences within groups A, B and C (P=0.852). No interaction was observered between dentin bondings and surface treatment (P=0.946).

Conclusion: The findings of this study revealed that NaOCL application after etching, for hybrid layer removal, did not make any difference on microleakage as compared with conventional bonding systems. However, its application before etching improved the seal of restoration. Additionally, there was not any significant difference between two different dentin bondings.