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Long term management of Bipolar Disorder (BD), characterized by mood fluctuating between episodes of mania and depression, involves regular taking of lithium preparations as the most reliable mood stabilizer for bipolar patients. However, despite its effectiveness in preventing and reducing mood swings and suicidality, lithium has a very narrow therapeutic index, and it is crucial to carefully monitor lithium plasma levels as concentrations greater than 1.2 mmol/L are potentially toxic and can be fatal. Current methods of lithium therapeutic monitoring involve frequent blood tests, which have several drawbacks related to the invasiveness of the technique, comfort, cost, and reliability. Dermal interstitial fluid (ISF) is an accessible and information-rich biofluid, and correlations have been found between blood and ISF levels of lithium medication.In the current study, we sought to investigate optical determination of lithium therapeutic concentrations in samples of ISF extracted from porcine skin utilizing a microneedle-based approach. Monitoring of lithium levels in porcine ISF was achieved by employing a spectrophotometric method based on the reaction between the chromogenic agent Quinizarin and lithium.The resulting spectra show spectral variations which relate to lithium concentrations of lithium in samples of porcine ISF with a coefficient of determination (RThe results support future development of a miniaturized and minimally-invasive device for lithium monitoring in bipolar patients.

Paper-based colorimetric detection of lithium therapeutic levels in the management of bipolar disorder.

Objectives. This in vitro study was aimed to assess the effect of wet and dry finishing and polishing techniques on the flexural strength and microhardness of different commercial nanoparticle contained composite resins. Methods and Materials. The samples were made of Z250 (microhybrid), Z350 XT (nanofilled), and Z550 (nanohybrid) resin composites. Each group was subdivided into 2 subgroups according to polishing protocols. Subgroup 1 for each composite underwent wet polishing, and subgroup 2 was subject to dry polishing technique. Flexural strength and microhardness of the samples were measured at two different times of polishing (T0 and T24). The flexural strength test and microhardness test were measured by a 3-point bending test using a universal testing machine, and a Vickers machine, respectively. Data were analyzed by Kolmogorov–Smirnov, two-way ANOVA, and Tukey HSD tests. Results. ANOVA showed that the type of composite has a significant effect on flexural strength. Two-way ANOVA showed that, at T0, flexural strength of all composites in the dry technique was higher than in the wet technique ( p = 0.019 ). At T24, Z350 XT had the lowest, and Z250 had the highest flexural strength in both techniques. The time and technique of polishing were also significantly effective on hardness. At T0, hardness was higher in the wet compared to the dry method ( p = 0.008 ). Tukey test showed that, at T24, the hardness of Z350 XT was significantly higher than the other materials in both techniques. Conclusion. Immediate wet finishing and polishing presented lower flexural strength. Delayed dry/wet finishing and polishing significantly enhanced the hardness of the samples.

Since sediment concentration is an effective factor on increasing debris flood’s peak flow and damages from floods, developing new models to predict the sediment concentration of debris floods has crucial importance. In this study, a hybrid SVR-PSO model was proposed to predict the concentration of sediment in typical and debris floods, and it was examined in three basins located in Gilan, Mazandaran, and Tehran Provinces, Iran. Mean elevation and slope of the basin, the area of the basin, current day’s rainfall, the rainfall of previous days (1–3 days before flood) for all rain-gauge stations of the basins, as well as the discharge of the previous day, were used as the input variables of the model. Then, various combinations of variables were tested to assess the factors influencing the concentration of sediment in typical and debris floods in order to find the best variable combination with a high performance in predicting the concentration of sediment in the studied floods. The results showed that basin elevation, current day’s rainfall, previous day’s discharge, rainfall of the previous day, basin area, rainfall of the previous two days, basin slope, and rainfall of the previous three days were the key factors influencing the concentration of sediment in typical and debris floods, respectively. Coefficient of determination, root mean square error, and mean absolute percentage error were estimated 0.96, 0.003, and 14.38% for the proposed model at the testing phase, respectively. This implies model’s good performance for predicting the concentration of sediment in typical and debris floods so that the present model can provide reliable predictions of flood character in basins.

This study aimed to assess the thermal effect of different light irradiation times on the setting time of mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) and calcium-enriched mixture (CEM) cements. This in vitro experimental study evaluated 40 hydraulic cement specimens, including 20 MTA and 20 CEM specimens, according to the manufacturers'instructions. For each cement, the specimens were divided into 3 test groups light cured with a halogen light-curing unit (n = 5 per group) and 1 control group (n = 5) that was not exposed to irradiation. The specimens in the MTA test groups were light cured for 20, 40, or 60 seconds, and the specimens in the CEM test groups were light cured for 60, 90, or 120 seconds. All test and control groups had 60 seconds of rest time. Setting of the cements was assessed at different timepoints using a Gillmore needle weighing 113.4 g with a 12.2-mm diameter according to ASTM C266-03 standards. The data were analyzed with the Fisher exact test and the Mann-Whitney U test (α = 0.05). The setting of MTA specimens after different curing times was significantly different (P0.05). The setting time of MTA control specimens was significantly longer than that of test specimens (P = 0.008). The setting of CEM specimens after different curing times was not significantly different (P0.05). However, the setting time for CEM control specimens was significantly longer than that for test specimens (P = 0.008). Light curing with a halogen light-curing unit can significantly decrease the setting time for MTA and CEM cements.

Background: This study aimed to assess the effect of adding propolis to glass-ionomer cements (GICs) on their antimicrobial and physical properties. Methods: For the evaluation of the antimicrobial properties of conventional (Fuji II) and high-viscous (Fuji IX) GICs containing propolis, 120 glass-ionomer disks with the dimensions of 10 × 2 mm were prepared in three groups of control, 25% propolis, and 50% propolis. Then, these GICs were placed in the Streptococcus mutans culture media. After 24 h of incubation, the inhibition zone diameters of the disks were recorded. For the evaluation of flexural strength, 30 samples (six groups of 5) with the dimensions of 2 × 2 × 25 mm were prepared and measured by a universal testing machine. The Kolmogorov-Smirnov test and SPSS software (version 21.0) were used for statistical analysis and ensuring normal data distribution. One-way analysis of variance was used for comparing the mean values of the groups, and Tukey’s HSD test was used for pairwise comparison of the groups. The duration of the study setup was 9 months. Results: An inhibition zone was not observed in any of the study groups. There was no significant difference between the flexural strength values of the three groups of the Fuji IX (P = 0.905) and also between the three groups of the Fuji II (P = 0.096). However, the Fuji IX samples had higher flexural strength values than the Fuji II glass-ionomer specimens (P < 0.001). Conclusions: The addition of different concentrations of propolis aqueous extract to conventional and high-viscous GICs did not have a significant effect on their antimicrobial properties and flexural strength.

This study assessed the effect of addition of aqueous extract of propolis in different concentrations on the mechanical and antimicrobial properties of resin-modified glass ionomer cement (RMGIC). In this in vitro study, powder of Fuji II LC RMGIC was mixed with 25% and 50% aqueous extracts of propolis. Samples (n = 15 for shear bond strength, n = 5 for flexural strength, and n = 20 for the antibacterial activity test) were fabricated using this mixture. The buccal and lingual surfaces of 23 premolars were ground to expose dentin. Tygon tubes were filled with cement, bonded to dentin, and subjected to bond or the flexural strength test in a universal testing machine. Antibacterial activity was assessed using the disc diffusion and well-plate techniques against S. mutans. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA and Tukey’s test. The three groups showed significant differences (p

Stabilized tetragonal zirconia is a biocompatible ceramic with high mechanical properties that is considered by different industries. In this research, the effect of fabrication of laminated composite with high strength 3 mol% yttria stabilized tetragonal zirconia polycrystal (3Y-TZP) ceramic as the outer layers (thickness of 1 mm for each layer) as well as high toughness 12 mol% ceria stabilized tetragonal zirconia polycrystal (12Ce-TZP) ceramic as inter layer (thickness of 1 mm) on the mechanical properties was investigated and the results were compared with monolithic samples. Nano-powders of 3Y-TZP and 12Ce-TZP obtained by the co-precipitation process were examined by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and field emission electron microscopy (FESEM). The powders were pressure-less sintered at 1450 °C after biaxial pressing at 60 MPa. The zirconia ceramics were polished and thermally etched and then observed under FESEM. The flexural strength, Vickers hardness and indentation fracture toughness of the samples were measured. The results show that the laminated structure yields a composite with the hardness of 1100 HV and a 41% increase in fracture toughness (10.57 MPa m1/2) perpendicular to the layers relative to the fracture toughness of monolithic 3Y-TZP ceramic (7.5 MPa m1/2). The use of laminated structure can change the fracture mode from brittle fracture in 3Y-TZP and 12Ce-TZP ceramics to a non-catastrophic fracture in the 3Y-TZP/12Ce-TZP laminated composite.

Background. This in vitro study aimed to evaluate the microshear bond strength (μSBS), microhardness and morphological characteristics of primary enamel after treating with sodium fluoride (NaF) and acidulated phosphate fluoride (APF). Methods. Forty-eight primary canines were cut into mesial and distal sections and assigned to five groups randomly: group 1 (immersed in saliva as a control), group 2 (treated with NAF and immersed in saliva for 30 minutes), group 3 (treated with APF and immersed in saliva for 30 minutes), group 4 (treated with NAF and immersed in saliva for 10 days), and group 5 (treated with APF and immersed in saliva for 10 days). Composite resin (Filtek Z250) was bonded on the specimens (n=15) for measuring the μSBS. After storage in 37°C artificial saliva for 24 hours, µSBS and Vickers hardness tests (10 readings) were performed. The data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA and Kolmogorov-Smirnov, Levene’s and Tukey HSD tests (PResults. Significant differences in μSBS were only noted between groups 2 and 4 (P=0.024). Group 3 showed a significant decrease in hardness after storage in artificial saliva (PConclusion. Fluoride therapy with NaF and APF gels prior to restorative treatments had no adverse effects on the microshear bond strength.

A new design of dual solvent stir bar microextraction (DSSBME) was developed and combined with HPLC-UV for the simultaneous extraction of clozapine (CLZ) and lorazepam (LRP) from human plasma with different acceptor phases. Two short hollow fibers immobilized with an organic extraction solvent were used as the solvent bars for microextraction of CLZ and LRP from the sample solution. The solvent bars were fixed with a staple pin which served as the stirrer. The target analytes were simultaneously and selectively extracted from the sample solution into their corresponding solvent bar. Extraction parameters such as organic solvent type, pH of the sample solution, the acceptor phase concentration, salt incorporation into the solution, stirring rate, and extraction time were optimized to achieve the best extraction results. Under the optimum conditions (1-undecanol as extraction solvent, pH of sample solution = 9.0, 10% w/v NaCl, concentration of HCl = 10 mM, concentration of NaOH = 100 mM, stirring rate of 1400 rpm and extraction time of 30 min at ambient temperature) the limit of detection for CLZ was 0.4 ng mL-1 and for LRP it was 1.1 ng mL-1. The linear range for CLZ was 1.3-1000.0 ng mL-1 (R2 = 0.9991) and for LRP it was 3.6-800.0 ng mL-1 (R2 = 0.9993). Extraction recovery and the enrichment factor for CLZ were 95.4% and 343 and for LRP they were 74.3% and 263, respectively. Finally, the method developed was successfully applied for the simultaneous determination of CLZ and LRP in human plasma samples.

Polymer networks are considered to be largely affected by water and chemical absorption from environment. Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the hygroscopic expansion of bulk-fill composite. Material and Methods: Fifteen disks (5 in each group) with different thickness(4mm/2mm) of Tetric N-Ceram Bulk Fill composite(TB) and Tetric N-Ceram composite(TN) were made according to the manufacturer’s instruction and stored in deionized water. The length of each specimen was recorded using a digital micrometer at baseline and at the end of 24 h, 1, 2, 4, 12 weeks intervals. Repeated measure ANOVA and Tukey HSD were used to determine the effect of variables. At 12 weeks, the mean hygroscopic expansion after water immersion ranged between 0. 33±0.09mm for TN to 0.41±0.07mm for TB with 2mm thickness. Repeated measure ANOVA revealed a significant increase in hygroscopic expansion over time (P

Objectives This study aimed to evaluate the ability of lithium disilicate ceramics to reproduce the A2 shade and to mask A4 substrates. Materials and Methods Twenty-four discs (8 mm in diameter, shade A2) of high translucency (groups 1-3) and low translucency (groups 4-6) of IPS e.max ceramic with different thicknesses (0.5, 0.75, and 1 mm) were fabricated as monolithic structures. In addition, discs of medium opacity (group 7-8) with different core/veneer combinations (0.3 mm/0.7 mm and 0.5 mm/0.5 mm) were fabricated as bilayer structures. Specimens were superimposed on an A4 substrate (complex). The color changes of the complex were measured using a spectrophotometer on a black background, and the ΔE values of the complex were compared with either the A4 substrate or the A2 shade tab. One-way analysis of variance, the Tukey honest significant difference test, and the Fisher test were used to analyze the data (p < 0.05). Results Significant between-group differences were found for comparisons to both the A4 substrate and the A2 shade (p < 0.05). When compared with the A4 substrate, the ΔE values in all groups were in the non-acceptable range. When compared with the A2 shade, the ΔE values in all groups, except groups 2 and 3, were in the clinically acceptable range. Conclusions All translucencies and thicknesses masked the underlying dark substrate. However, the low-translucency IPS e.max Press better reproduced the A2 shade.

Introduction:The development of new pulp capping agents has paved the way towards the preservation of pulp vitality, which is an important goal in restorative dentistry. This study sought to assess the calcium ion release, pH and setting of mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) Angelus, an experimental formulation of nano-hybrid MTA containing nano-SiO2, nano-Al2O3 and nano-TiO2 and MTA Angelus plus nano-oxides. Methods:In this experimental study, five specimens from each material were placed in polypropylene tubes and immersed in a flask containing deionized distilled water. The amount of calcium ions released into the solution from each material was measured at 15 minutes, one hour and 24 hours using atomic absorption spectroscopy. The pH of the solutions was measured using a pH meter at the respective time points. Setting time was also assessed using a Gilmore needle. Data were analyzed using the repeated measures ANOVA. Results:The amount of released calcium ions was not significantly different among the groups (P=0.060). All materials were alkaline and the pH at 24 hours was significantly higher than the other two time points in all groups (P

Background: Mechanical oral hygiene procedures are the most effective means of plaque removal and toothbrush is the most commonly used tool for mechanical plaque removal worldwide. There is an array of available manual and electric toothbrushes in the market. Thus, choosing the best one for dental plaque removal can be of great help for patients. Objectives: This study aimed at compare the efficacy of dental plaque removal using a manual and an electric toothbrush. Materials and Methods: This experimental, single-blinded sequential clinical trial was conducted on 12 patients (ten females and two males) who aged 21 to 30 years old. The tested manual toothbrush was 35-mm soft Oral-B Pulsar and the electric one was Oral-B Professional Care 8500 DLX chargeable D18. Patients’ dental plaque score was set as zero through scaling, root planning, and polishing. Subjects were avoided tooth cleaning for three days and on day four, plaque accumulation was assessed using Tureskey's modification of Quigley and Hein plaque index. Results: The mean of plaque index was 2.13 ± 0.83 and 2.11 ± 1.01 in the manual and electric toothbrush groups, respectively. No significant difference was detected between the study toothbrushes in terms of plaque removal (P = 0.374); however, with the manual tooth brushing, plaque removal was significantly greater in the buccal than in lingual surface and in the maxilla than in the mandible (P = 0.03 and P = 0.015, respectively). Conclusions: Similar to previous studies, this study could not show the superiority of electric toothbrush over manual in plaque removal. After 72 hours, the mean of plaque index was greater in buccal than in lingual surface, which may be attributed to the natural cleansing action of the tongue.

Background: Since the introduction of resin composites, the staining of resin-based materials by colored solutions such as coffee, tea, chlorhexidine (CHX), and other beverages has become a common concern. Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of home and office bleaching as a treatment for discoloration of composite after immersion in coffee or CHX. Materials and Methods: A microhybrid composite (Z250), nanohybrid composite (Z550), and nanofill composite (ultimate, body shade) were selected. Forty disk shape specimens (8 mm diameter and 2 mm thickness) for each composite were prepared then divided into two groups according to staining solutions (25 g of coffee in 250 ml water, 20 min/day or 0.2% CHX, 1 min/day). Following 1 month staining, specimens were divided into two groups again. Half of the specimens was bleached with in office bleaching agent (Opalescence Boost 40% hydrogen peroxide concentration) 3 times in one visit for 15minutes and the others subjected to home bleaching agent(Opalescence 10% carbamide peroxide) 6h/day until 2 weeks both from Ultradent Products, Inc., South Jordan, UT, USA. Color of the specimens was measured with a spectrophotometer using CIELAB color space at baseline, after 1 month staining, and after ending the bleaching process. Statistical Analysis: Analysis of variance was used to analyze the data (P < 0.05). Results: Coffee and CHX provided significant color changes in all groups (P < 0.05). Z550 was the material more prone to discoloration in coffee in comparison with Filtek Ultimate (P = 0.003). After bleaching, materials showed significant reduction except stained Z550 by coffee in home bleaching groups. Both home and office bleaching provided significant color changes in all CHX groups (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Coffee produced more color changes than CHX. The hydrogen peroxide has the same whitening effect in comparison with carbamide peroxide.

Objectives: The aim of this in-vitro study was to assess the thermal effect of light emitting diode (LED) light curing unit on the enamel etching time. Materials and Methods: Three treatment groups with 15 enamel specimens each were used in this study: G1: Fifteen seconds of etching, G2: Five seconds of etching, G3: Five seconds of etching plus LED light irradiation (simultaneously). The micro shear bond strength (µSBS) of composite resin to enamel was measured. Results: The mean µSBS values ± standard deviation were 51.28±2.35, 40.47±2.75 and 50.00±2.59 MPa in groups 1, 2 and 3, respectively. There was a significant difference between groups 1 and 2 (P=0.013) and between groups 2 and 3 (P=0.032) in this respect, while there was no difference between groups 1 and 3 (P=0.932). Conclusion: Simultaneous application of phosphoric acid gel over enamel surface and light irradiation using a LED light curing unit decreased enamel etching time to five seconds without compromising the µSBS.

We aimed to evaluate the color stability of bulk-fill and conventional composite resin with respect to thickness and storage media. Twenty specimens of a conventional composite resin (6 mm diameter and 2 mm thick) and 40 specimens of the bulk-fill Tetric EvoCeram composite resin at two different thicknesses (6 mm diameter and 2 mm thick or 4 mm thick,n=20) were prepared. The specimens were stored in distilled water during the study period (28 d). Half of the specimens were remained in distilled water and the other half were immersed in coffee solution 20 min/d and kept in distilled water between the cycles. Color changes (ΔE) were measured using the CIEL⁎a⁎b⁎color space and a digital imaging system at 1, 7, 14, and 28 days of storage. Data were analyzed using Two-way ANOVA and Tukey’s HSD post hoc test (P<0.05). Composite resins showed significant increase in color changes by time (bulk-fill > conventional;P<0.001). Coffee exhibited significantly more staining susceptibility than that of distilled water (P<0.001). There was greater color changes with increasing the increment thickness, which was significant at 14 (P<0.001) and 28 d (P<0.01). Color change of bulk-fill composite resin was greater than that of the conventional one after coffee staining and is also a function of increment thicknesses.

Background The aim of the present study was to evaluate the influence of water storage on micro tensile strength (µTS) and mass changes (MC) of two universal adhesives. Material and Methods 10 disk-shaped specimens were prepared for each adhesive; Scotchbond Universal (SCU) All-Bond Universal (ABU) and Adper Single Bond 2 (SB2). At the baseline and after 1 day and 28 days of water storage, their mass were measured and compared to estimate water sorption and solubility. For µTS test, 20 dumbbell shaped specimens were also prepared for each adhesive in two subgroups of 1 day and 28 days water storage. Results MC was significantly lower for SCU and ABU than SB2 (P < 0.05) at both time intervals. In all three adhesives, the MC was significantly lower at 28 days compared to that at 1 day (P < 0.05). Similarly, µTS was significantly higher for SCU and ABU than SB2 at both storage intervals (P < 0.05). After 28 days, µTS increased significantly for universal adhesives (P < 0.05). Conclusions MC and µTS of adhesives were both material and time dependent when stored in water; both universal adhesives showed less water sorption and higher values of µTS than the control group. Key words:Absorption, dental adhesives, dentin-bonding agents, solubility, tensile strength.

Objectives This study assessed the effect of water storage on the flexural strength (FS) of low shrinkage composites. Materials and Methods A total of 165 bar-shaped specimens (2 × 2 × 25 mm) were fabricated of 2 low shrinkage composites (Filtek P90 [3M ESPE], GC Kalore [GC International]) and a conventional methacrylate-based composite (Filtek Z250 [3M ESPE]). The specimens were subjected to 3-point bending test at 6 time intervals, namely: immediately after curing, at 24 hours, 1 week, 1 month, 6 months, and 1 year following storage in wet and dry conditions. The FS of the specimens were measured by applying compressive load at a crosshead speed of 1.0 mm/min. Data was analyzed using 3-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey's test. Results Three-way ANOVA revealed significant interactions between time, type of composite, and storage condition (p = 0.001). Tukey's multiple comparison test revealed significant reductions in FS of all composites after 6 months and 1 year of storage in distilled water compared to dry condition. Conclusions Filtek P90 showed the highest and GC Kalore showed the lowest FS after 1 year storage in distilled water. The immediate high strength of Filtek Z250 significantly decreased at 1 year and its final value was lower than that of Filtek P90.

Introduction: This in vitro study evaluated the influence of composite thickness (with or without fiber reinforcement) on fracture resistance of direct restorations in endodontically treated teeth. Methods and Materials: Fifty-six intact human premolars were chosen and randomly divided into four groups (n=14). After preparation of a mesio-occluso-distal (MOD) cavities and cusp reduction, the teeth were endodontically treated. Subsequently, the samples were restored with composite resin using the following protocols: group 1; composite onlay with cusp coverage of 1.5 mm, group 2; composite onlay with cusp coverage of 2.5 mm, group 3; composite onlay (including resin-impregnated fiber) with cusp coverage of 1.5 mm and group 4; composite onlay (including resin-impregnated fiber) with cusp coverage of 2.5 mm. The fracture resistance of teeth in all test groups was calculated by subjecting them to a progressively increasing compressive axial force in the universal testing machine with the cross-head speed of 1 mm/min to the point of fracture. The data were analyzed using the Kruskal-Wallis test. Results: The mean fracture strengths and obtained standard error were 1263.85±74.03 N, 1330.26±128.01 N, 1344.92±64.40 N and 1312.54±75.63 N for groups 1 to 4, respectively. Statistical analysis revealed no significant difference between groups. Conclusion: Cusp coverage of 1.5 and 2.5 mm in MOD access cavities with or without insertion of resin impregnated fiber had similar fracture rates in the endodontically treated teeth.

Background Dentin sensitivity is one of the most important problems in dentistry. Enamel loss due to root exposure is serious issue and common exposure is one of the reasons for dentin hypersensitivity. There are different methods for solving this problem. One of the most conservative and least expensive methods is use of casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate (CPP-ACP) paste. Objectives The aim of this study was to evaluate shear bond strength of GIC to dentin, with or without laser, CPP-ACP paste and polyacrylic acid treatments. Materials and Methods Fifty sound human third molars were bisected in a mesiodistal direction using a diamond disk. Using 400, 600 and 800 grit silicon carbide paper, dentin surfaces were exposed. The teeth were divided into five groups. In groups A, B, D and H, CPP-ACP (GC tooth mousse Itabashi-Ku, Tokyo, Japan) was applied for one hour the first day and repeated at the same time of day for a total of five days. In groups B, C, D and E, the specimens were subjected to laser for 10 seconds using Er, Cr: YSGG laser. In groups B, C, H and G, specimens were treated with 10% polyacrylic acid for 20 seconds. A plastic tube containing GI was positioned over the tooth. Samples were loaded in shear bond using a Universal Testing Machine (Zwick/Roell, Germany), at a 0.5 mm/minute crosshead speed. Results Despite the failing of groups A and D, group analysis showed that there were no significant differences between the groups. The predominant type of fracture in all groups was adhesive. Conclusions Application of CPP-ACP, without preconditioning with polyacrylic acid, can decrease shear bond strength. Laser irradiation has no effect on shear bond strength of GIC to dentin in this condition.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the micro-shear bond strength of silorane-based composites after saliva/blood decontamination.A transparent mold (1 × 2 × 1 cm) was used to make 11 flat, silorane-based composite blocks. One block served as the control. After contamination, the blocks were treated as follows: group 1: 10-s air spray; group 2: 10-s water spray + 10-s air spray; group 3: 10-s water spray + 10-s air spray + 10-s etching with phosphoric acid; group 4: 10-s air spray + 10-s etching + bonding; group 5: 10-s water spray + 10-s air spray + 10-s etching + bonding; and groups 6-10: treated the same as groups 1-5, the only difference being that blood was used instead of saliva. Ten tubes (0.7 mm × 1 mm) containing silorane-based composites were attached to each decontaminated block and light cured for 40 s. After 24-h storage in distilled water, specimens were tested under micro-shear loading at a cross-head speed of 0.5 mm/min. Data were analyzed using one-way anova and Tukey's honest significant difference (HSD) test (P0.05).One-way anova showed significant differences in the micro-shear bond strength among the experimental groups (P0.001). Tukey's HSD test revealed that the bond strengths in groups 5, 9, and 10 were similar to the control group (P0.05).Decontamination by water and air spray, etching, and bonding was effective in restoring the bond strength of silorane-based composite increments.