Introduction:
Bonding to dentine in adhesive dentistry is a known challenge due to the unique characteristics of dentine. Dentine exposed during tooth preparation is vulnerable to bacterial infiltration and microleakage in the provisional phase, posing risks of post-operative sensitivity and pulp irritation in bonded restorations. To mitigate these issues, immediate dentine sealing (IDS) was introduced. This review explores the interactions between IDS and various treatment phases, from temporization to final assembly.

Material and methods:
An extensive electronic search was conducted on PubMed Scopus, and Cochrane Library databases, focusing on in vitro studies and clinical trials published between 2005 and 2023. The search used specific keywords such as “immediate dentine sealing”, “IDS”, and “prehybridization”, targeting studies on IDS applied to human teeth.

Results:
Forty-six relevant articles were identified and analysed. The findings consistently emphasize IDS’s critical role in improving bond strength between dental restorative materials and dentine.

Discussion:
Researchers support the localized application of an adhesive system whenever a significant portion of dentine is exposed during tooth preparation for indirect restorations. IDS has been shown to enhance bonding, provide superior water resistance, and reduce post-operative sensitivity. Experts recommend adding a layer of flowable resin and glycerin jelly, followed by a 10-second curing. Additionally, using polyether impression materials should be avoided, while micro-sandblasting is recommended to create surface roughness on the adhesive resin, followed by gentle cleaning with pumice.

Conclusions:
Immediate dentine sealing requires meticulous attention but offers promising results in improving dentine bonding and reducing complications in bonded restorations.