Self-etching adhesives and postoperative sensitivity.

The total number of restorations placed in vital teeth were 330 for 150 patients in the SE/SP group, and 126 for 70 patients in the TE group. Incidences of IPS in the total number of restorations stratified for depth were 14% in deep cavities, 6% in medium depth cavities and 5% in shallow cavities in the SE/SP group, and 35% in deep cavities, 16% in medium and 4% in shallow cavities in the TE group. Fisher's exact test showed the incidence of IPS was significantly higher in cases of deep (P< 0.05) and medium (P< 0.05) cavities. The test also revealed that in restorations placed with the SE/SP adhesive systems, the presence or absence of a protective liner or base made no significant difference in the IPS in medium and shallow cavities, while the use of such protective layers produced a significantly higher IPS (21%), compared with no protection (0%), in deep cavities (P< 0.05). The absence of protective liners or bases did not result in postoperative sensitivity in deep cavities, when the SE/SP dentin bonding systems were used.