Purpose: This study evaluated the postoperative sensitivity of posterior Class I composite resin restorations, restored with a self-etching or a total-etch one-bottle adhesive system. Materials and Methods: One hundred four restorations were replaced by one clinician in 52 patients. Each patient received two restorations. After cavity preparations were completed under rubber-dam isolation, they were restored using Clearfil SE Bond or Single Bond and a resin-based restorative material (Filtek Z250). Sensitivity was evaluated at 0 and 7 days and 6 months using cold stimuli, and recorded using a visual analogue scale. If sensitivity was experienced on day 7, patients were also contacted on days 14 and 30 to assess the degree of sensitivity. The scores were analyzed as nonparametric data by means of the Friedman and Wilcoxon tests. Results: No statistically significant differences in sensitivity were found between the two adhesives systems at days 0 and 7 or at 6 months. No spontaneous postoperative sensitivity was reported. Conclusions: The adhesives systems used in this study showed no differences in postoperative sensitivity, and did not show spontaneous sensitivity after 6 months.

Keywords: postoperative sensitivity, adhesive system, composite resin