Experimental Evaluation of Different Dentin Sandblasting Protocols in Restorative Dentistry.

The long-term stability and the aesthetic enhancement of dental restorations are primary concerns in clinical practice, driving ongoing research into advanced dental materials and clinical procedures. This study presents a novel approach to evaluate the effects of different sandblasting protocols on dentin surface properties in restorative dentistry. Human dentin samples were treated with aluminum oxide (Al2O3) or calcium carbonate (CaCO3) abrasives and analyzed at three key stages of surface preparation for dental restorative treatments: postsandblasting, post-rinsing, and post-etching with orthophosphoric acid. A multi-analytical approach, including Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Raman spectroscopy, and surface roughness analysis was used to comprehensively assess morphological and chemical changes due to different treatments. Results demonstrated that Al2O3 significantly increased surface roughness, creating a highly textured morphology enhancing, thus, micromechanical interlocking with restorative materials. In contrast, CaCO3 sandblasting resulted in a less pronounced increase in roughness, potentially offering a gentler approach to surface preparation. The application of orthophosphoric acid effectively etched the dentin surface, leading to further modifications in roughness and surface chemistry. Nonetheless, Al2O3 particles were not completely removed, contrasting with the complete absence of CaCO3 residues. Raman spectroscopic analysis revealed changes in the intensities of characteristic peaks associated with hydroxyapatite and collagen, reflecting alterations in dentin composition. These findings provide insights into optimizing sandblasting protocols for improved dental restorations