Oral biofilms coat all surfaces in the oral cavity including the exposed dentin surface. This study aimed to investigate biofilm removal by acid etching procedures and the effects of the residual biofilm on dentin surfaces on composite–dentin adhesion. Dentin discs were assigned to five groups: no biofilm formation (C); biofilm formation and no surface treatment (BF); biofilm formation and acid etching (BF-E); biofilm formation and acid etching followed by chlorhexidine soaking (BF-EC); and biofilm formation and rubbing with pumice, followed by acid etching (BF-RE). Biofilms were formed on saliva-precoated dentin discs by soaking the discs in Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) suspension. Biofilm removal from the dentin surface was evaluated quantitatively and qualitatively by confocal laser scanning microscopy and scanning electron microscopy, respectively. To compare the bond strength of the biofilm-coated dentin discs with the surface treatments, specimens were assigned to four groups: no biofilm formation and acid etching (C-E); BF-E; BF-EC; and BF-RE. Assessments of the micro-shear bond strength and subsequent failure modes were performed. BF-E and BF-EC did not remove the biofilm, whereas BF-RE partially removed the biofilm attached to the dentin (p < 0.05). The bond strength of BF-RE was significantly higher than those of BF-E and BF-EC, but lower than that of C-E (p < 0.05). In conclusion, mechanical biofilm removal is recommended before etching procedures to enhance adhesion to the biofilm-coated dentin.

Increasing the aesthetic needs of patients and decreasing the use of amalgam had led to increased demand for dental resin composite. Thereby, light curing unit (LCU) has become an essential equipment in dental clinic. To ensure long-term prognosis of photopolymerized materials, LCU should have a uniform and consistent radiant output and an emission spectrum that includes the active wavelength range of photoinitiators. In addition, when the correct use and thorough maintenance and repair of LCU are performed, the higher success rate of restoration using photopolymerization materials will be achieved.