BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to compare the shear bond strength of Biodentine, ProRoot MTA (MTA), glass ionomer cement (GIC) and composite resin (CR) on dentine. METHODS 120 extracted human third molars were embedded in cold-cured-resin and grinned down to the dentine. For each material 30 specimens were produced in standardised height and width and the materials were applied according to manufacturers´ instructions on the dentine samples. Only in the CR group a self-etching dentine-adhesive was used. In all other groups the dentine was not pre-treated. All specimens were stored at 37.5 °C and 100% humidity for 2d, 7d and 14d. With a testing device the shear bond strength was determined (separation of the specimens from the dentine surface). The statistical evaluation was performed using ANOVA and Tukey-test (p < 0.05). RESULTS At all observation periods the CR showed the significant highest shear bond strength (p < 0.05). After 2d significant differences in the shear bond strength were detectable between all tested materials, whereby CR had the highest and MTA the lowest values (p < 0.05). After 7d and 14d the shear bond strengths of MTA and Biodentine increased significantly compared to the 2d investigation period (p < 0.05). Biodentine showed a significantly higher shear bond strength than MTA (p < 0.05), while the difference between Biodentine and GIC was not significant (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS After 7d Biodentine showed comparable shear bond values than GIC, whereas the shear bond values for MTA were significantly lower even after 14d. The adhesion of Biodentine to dentine surface seams to be superior compared to that of MTA.