%0 Journal Article %T Equivalence study of the resin-dentine interface of internal tunnel restorations when using an enamel infiltrant resin with ethanol-wet dentine bonding. %A Kielbassa AM %A Summer S %A Frank W %A Lynch E %A Batzer JS %J Sci Rep %V 14 %N 1 %D 2024 05 30 %M 38816512 %F 4.996 %R 10.1038/s41598-024-63289-0 %X This preregistered ex vivo investigation examined the dentinal hybrid layer formation of a resinous infiltrant (Icon), with reference to both thickness (HLT) and homogeneity when combined with modified tunnel preparation (occlusal cavity only) and internal/external caries infiltration. The adhesives Syntac and Scotchbond MP were used as controls (Groups 1 and 3) or in combination with Icon (Groups 2 and 4). A split-tooth design using healthy third molars from 20 donors resulted in 20 prepared dentine cavities per experimental group. The cavity surfaces (nā€‰=ā€‰80) were etched (37% H3PO4), rinsed, and air-dried. Rewetting with ethanol was followed by application of the respective primers. After labeling with fluorescent dyes, either Syntac Adhesive/Heliobond or Scotchbond MP Adhesive was used alone or supplemented with Icon. HLT, as evaluated by scanning electron microscopy, did not significantly differ (Pā€‰>ā€‰0.05), and confocal laser scanning microscopy revealed homogeneously mixed/polymerized resin-dentine interdiffusion zones in all groups. Icon can be successfully integrated into an ethanol-wet dentine bonding strategy, and will result in compact and homogeneous hybrid layers of comparable thickness considered equivalent to the non-Icon controls, thus allowing for preservation of the tooth's marginal ridge and interdental space in the case of internal/external infiltration of proximal caries.