Effects of water and water-free polar solvents on the tensile properties of demineralized dentin.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to test the null hypothesis that the tensile properties of demineralized dentin are not influenced by the hydrogen bonding ability of anhydrous polar solvents. METHODS: Dentin disks 0.5mm thick were prepared from mid-coronal dentin of extracted, unerupted, human third molars. 'I' beam and hour-glass shaped specimens were prepared from the disks, the ends protected with nail varnish and the central regions completely demineralized in 0.5M EDTA for 5 days. Ultimate tensile stress (UTS) and low-strain apparent modulus of elasticity (E) were determined with the specimens immersed for 60 min in water, methanol, HEMA, acetone or air prior to testing in those same media. Apparent moduli of elasticity were measured on the same specimens in a repeated measures experimental design. The results were analyzed with a one-way ANOVA on ranks, followed by Dunn's test at alpha=0.05. Regression analysis examined the relationship between UTS or E and Hansen's solubility parameter for hydrogen bonding (delta(h)) of each solvent. RESULTS: The UTS of demineralized dentin in water, methanol, HEMA, acetone and air was 18(7), 29(7), 31(6), 41(13) and 146(27)MPa, x(SD), n=10. Low-strain E for the same media were 11(7), 43(12), 79(21), 132(31) and 253(115)MPa. Regression analysis of UTS vs delta(h) revealed a significant (p<0.0005, r=-0.69, R(2)=0.48) inverse, exponential relationship. A similar inverse relationship was obtained between low-strain E vs delta(h) (p<0.0001, r=-0.93, R(2)=0.86). SIGNIFICANCE: The tensile properties of demineralized dentin are dependent on the hydrogen bonding ability of polar solvents (delta(h)). Solvents with low delta(h) values may permit new interpeptide H-bonding in collagen that increases its tensile properties. Solvents with high delta(h) values prevent the development of these new interpeptide H-bonds.

Solvation of dried dentin matrix by water and other polar solvents.

PURPOSE: To develop a simple method for measuring the degree of solvation of dried, demineralized dentin matrix by water and other polar solvents. The null hypothesis was that there are no differences in expansion forces produced by different polar solvents. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Midcoronal dentin discs were prepared from extracted, unerupted human third molars. The discs were cut into square specimens with surface areas of 2 x 2, 3 x 3 and 4 x 4 mm and thicknesses of 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 mm. After demineralization in 0.5 M EDTA (pH 7), the dimensions of the specimens were measured both wet and dry. Dry specimens were held between two parallel steel plates connected to a 50 N load cell which measured the solvation force when water or other polar solvents were added. After measuring the expansion force induced by water, the specimens were fixed in glutaraldehyde and the trials repeated. On additional specimens, repeated measures of expansion forces were obtained using water, methanol, ethanol, n-propanol, n-butanol, ethylene glycol, formamide, hydroxyethylmethacrylate, N,N-dimethyl formamide and acetone in unfixed specimens. RESULTS: Water produced hydration forces as high as 204 g before, and 428 g after glutaraldehyde treatment. The hydration force correlated better with specimen thickness than with surface area. Water solvated the matrix faster than methanol > ethanol > formamide > ethylene glycol. Hydroxyethylmethacrylate, N,N-dimethyl formamide and acetone were unable to solvate the dried matrix. Regression analysis of solvation force vs. Hansen's solubility parameters for dispersive, polar and hydrogen bonding forces demonstrated that solvation force correlations were highest with hydrogen bonding solubility parameters. Measurements of solvation forces provides a simple method for determining solvent-collagen matrix interactions.