Fig. 6

Scanning electron micrographs show the bonded interface of the experimental and control groups. Resin tag quantity and quality match the bond strength results (MPa). White arrows point toward the hybrid layer. C, composite resin; HL, hybrid layer; RT, resin tags; AD, adhesive resin. A uniform hybrid layer with long well-formed resin tags was observed in the control (a) and CHX (b) groups. RP3 specimens before etching (c) and after etching (d) show a thin hybrid layer, and relatively shorter resin tags were identified compared with the control group. Representative SEM images of the resin-dentin interface from the RP6 group applied before etching (e) and after etching (f) show that a very thin hybrid layer was created (white arrows). Short resin tags were identified inside the dentin tubules (E, black arrows). Hardly any hybrid layer could be observed in RP1 specimens. Lack of well-formed resin tags was observed regardless of whether dentin treatment with micellar nanocomposites loaded with EARP was done before (g) or after etching (h). Only a few very short resin tags can be seen