Evaluation of Chlorhexidine on the Quality of the Hybrid Layer in Noncarious Primary Teeth: An In Vitro Study.

It has recently been observed that chlorhexidine has the capacity to inhibit matrix metalloproteinase. Therefore, the object of this study was to assess the effect of chlorhexidine on the quality of the hybrid layer of noncarious primary teeth. In group 1, the teeth were subjected to acid-etching, chlorhexidine application, Single Bond adhesive insertion, and restoration with resin composite Z250. Group 2 received the same procedures, without the application of the antimicrobial agent. Twenty-five regions were examined by scanning electronic microscopy by blind examiners. The data obtained were statistically analyzed by the chi-square and student t tests at a 5% level of significance. The groups presented few interfacial gaps without statistically significant differences. Group 1 presented a larger number of areas with a visible hybrid layer (68%) vs group 2 (52%). The layer's thickness was 3.33 μm and 3.28 μm for groups 1 and 2, respectively (P=.94). The results showed that the clinical restorative protocol with the use of chlorhexidine application does not interfere significantly in the morphological characteristics of the hybrid layer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]