The use of collagen cross-linking agents to enhance dentin bond strength.

UNLABELLED: Type I collagen is a major component of the hybrid layer, and improvement of its mechanical properties may be advantageous during bonding procedures. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of three different cross-linking agents (Glutaraldehyde [GD], Grape seed extract [GSE], and Genipin [GE]) on the tensile bond strength (TBS) of resin-dentin bonds. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty-four sound human molars were collected and their occlusal surfaces were ground flat to expose dentin. Dentin surfaces were etched using a phosphoric acid and then teeth were randomly divided according to the dentin treatment: Control group (no treatment), 5% GD, 6.5% GSE, or 0.5% GE. Teeth were restored either with One Step Plus or Adper Single Bond Plus adhesive systems and resin composite. After 24 h, teeth were sectioned to produce a cross-sectional surface area of 1.0 mm(2) and tested for tensile bond strength. Data were statistically analyzed using ANOVA and Fisher's PLSD tests (p < 0.05). There was a statistically significant interaction between factors (treatment and adhesive p < 0.001). Treatment affected TBS (p < 0.0001), while no differences were observed between the adhesive systems (p = 0.6961). CONCLUSION: Chemical modification to the dentin matrix promoted by GD and GSE, but not GE, resulted in increased bond strength. The application of selective collagen cross-linkers during adhesive restorative procedures may be a new approach to improve dentin bond strength properties.

Rebonding of orthodontic brackets. Part II, an XPS and SEM study.

OBJECTIVE: The hypothesis of this two-part study is that adhesive systems for bonding orthodontic brackets (ie, two self-etch primers [Transbond and M-Bond] and a conventional phosphoric acid etch [Rely-a-Bond]) would show a difference with respect to rebonded enamel surface morphology and chemical composition. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study examined the enamel surface before and after debonding with scanning electron microscopy and the enamel surface chemical composition for the elements Ca, P, O, F, Si, and C using x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. RESULTS: The etching of the two self-etch groups is less aggressive and less uniform than that of phosphoric acid. The change in the concentration of C indicated that the separation of the bracket from the enamel surface is at the resin-enamel interface for the phosphoric acid-etched adhesive and a mixed mode involving the enamel-resin-bracket interfaces for the self-etching systems. F release appears to occur for Transbond but not for M-Bond. CONCLUSIONS: The results confirm the original hypothesis that differences in adhesive systems are manifested in less aggressive etches and less adhesive left on the enamel surface for the self-etching adhesive systems.

Changes in stiffness of demineralized dentin following application of collagen crosslinkers.

It is thought that increasing the strength of the dentin matrix using crosslinking agents may improve both the strength and the durability of resin-dentin bonds. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of two collagen crosslinking agents (glutaraldehyde, GD and grape seed extract, GSE) on the modulus of elasticity of demineralized dentin. Sound molar fragments were fully demineralized and divided into five groups according to the type and concentration of crosslinking agents: 2.5% GD; 5% GD, 25% GD; 0.65% GSE; 6.5% GSE. Specimens were immersed in their respective solution and tested at baseline, 10 min, 30 min, 1 h, 2 h, 4 h. The elastic modulus of dentin was significantly affected by the treatment (p < 0.01) and exposure time (p < 0.01). There was a statistically significant interaction between the two factors evaluated (treatment vs. time p < 0.01). Mean baselines values varied between 4.8 and 6.2 MPa in water; after 4 h of treatment the values increased between 34.9 and 242.5 MPa, that were treatment time and agent dependent. The use of these collagen crosslinkers to increase the stiffness of demineralized dentin, was both concentration and time dependent.