Interfacial chemistry of the dentin/adhesive bond

The extent to which resin can infiltrate dentin by acetone-based adhesives

The combined methodologies of fractography and laser-Raman spectroscopic analysis were used for evaluation of the resin-dentin bonds made with wet and dry bonding. Resin-dentin-bonded beams were produced by means of 2 acetone-based adhesives (One-Step and Prime & Bond NT). The micro-tensile bond test was conducted, and the fractured surfaces of all specimens were examined by SEM and an image analyzer. The amount of resin infiltration within the hybrid layer was quantified by means of a laser-Raman spectroscope. In Raman analysis, the amount of resin impregnation within the hybrid layer of the dry bonding was found to be significantly lower (approximately 50%) than that in the wet one. Under fractographic analysis, a correlation was found between the bond strength and the failure mode. Based on those findings, it was suggested that the integrity between the bonding resin and the top of the hybrid layer played a major role in bond strength.

Ultrastructural study of a glass ionomer-based, all-in-one adhesive

OBJECTIVE

Reactmer Bond (Shofu Inc., Kyoto, Japan) is a glass ionomer (GI) based, tri-curable, all-in-one, filled adhesive. Both fluoroaluminosilicate glass (FASG) and fully pre-reacted glass (F-PRG) are used as fillers. This study examined the ultrastructure and elemental composition of resin-dentine interfaces that were treated with this adhesive.

METHODS

Dentine disks prepared from human third molars were abraded with either 600- or 60-grit SiC paper to create smear layers of different thickness. They were bonded using Reactmer Bond. Cryo-fractured dentine surfaces devoid of smear layers were also bonded by chemical-activation and GI reaction without additional light-activation, or allowing the GI reaction to proceed for 1min before the adhesive was applied and light-activated. Undemineralised and demineralised sections were processed for TEM examination and STEM/EDX analysis.

RESULTS

Resin-dentine interface from specimens with smear layers consisted of a mineral-dense surface layer that resided on top of a partially demineralised dentine. The partially demineralised zone was considerably thicker in the 600-grit than the 60-grit specimens. In smear layer-free specimens that were cured by chemical-activation/GI modes only, the surface layer concurred with the partially demineralised zone, and appeared as an electron-dense layer over the undemineralised intact dentine. Smear layer-free specimens that were cured by the light-activation of the partially neutralised adhesive contained incomplete amorphous surface layers only. Apart from colloidal silica, FASG fillers were the predominant filler type within the resin matrices. Peripheral hydrogel layers that contained electron-dense "seeds" were found around the FASG fillers. F-PRG fillers were only sparsely observed. In specimens that were laboratory demineralised with formic acid, phase separation of the unstained resin matrices into electron-dense and electron-lucent domains occurred. Artefactual dendritic deposits were found within the electron-dense domains.

CONCLUSIONS

The presence of a surface interaction layer on top of a partially demineralised zone along the resin-dentine interface suggests that either a GI-type reaction or precipitation of insoluble carboxylate salts around remnant apatite crystallites may occur when this single-step adhesive interacts with dentine. Appearance of artefactual dendritic deposits suggests that continuous ion movement is possible within the hydrophilic portion of the resin matrix in this fluoride-releasing adhesive.

Molecular structure of acid-etched dentin smear layers--in situ study

It is commonly reported that acid etchants remove the smear layer, but to date, there has been no chemical evidence to support these observations. The purpose of this study was to determine the molecular structure of acid-etched carbide- and diamond-bur-created smear layers. This project tested the null hypothesis that such smear layers are totally removed with current etchants. Smear layer/demineralized/mineralized dentin interfaces were analyzed at 1- m intervals by micro-Raman spectroscopy. Features associated with the organic component were substantially broadened with loss of fine structure, and mineral peaks were clearly evident in the spectra of acid-etched smear layers. The organic features in the spectra of the EDTA-treated smear layer showed relative intensity ratios similar to demineralized dentin without contribution from the mineral phase. The disorganized collagen within the smear layer was not removed but was denatured by the acid treatment; the mineral was trapped in this gelatinous matrix and shielded from complete reaction.

Novel periodontal drug delivery system for treatment of periodontitis

A conceptually novel periodontal drug delivery system (DDS) is described that is intended for treatment of microbial infections associated with periodontitis. The DDS is a composite wafer with surface layers possessing adhesive properties, while the bulk layer consists of antimicrobial agents, biodegradable polymers, and matrix polymers. The wafers contain poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) as the main bioerodible component used in the bulk layer and ethyl cellulose applied as a matrix polymer enabling diffusion-controlled release. Starch and other polymers in combination with AgNO(3) serve as coatings adhesive to the teeth. In vitro experiments demonstrate that the wafers are capable of zero-order release of antimicrobial agents such as silver nitrate, benzylpenicillin, and tetracycline, for over 4 weeks.