Tensile adhesion and bond strength are important parameters in determining the performance of bonding materials in restorative dentistry. Although these particular types of test do not predict clinical behavior, they help scientists and researchers understand materials in a controlled laboratory environment.

ISO/TS 11405 'Dental materials - Testing of adhesion to tooth structure' helps to establish laboratory guidelines to evaluating both tensile and shear bond strength.

For a successful mechanical test of tensile bond strength, specimen alignment is critical during mounting of the specimen and as the test progresses.