Effect of dentin biomodification delivered by experimental acidic and neutral primers on resin adhesion

Abstract

Objectives: Proanthocyanidins (PACs) are biocompounds mimicking native collagen cross-links. The effective and practical delivery of any biocompound is pivotal for clinical usage. The aim was to investigate the dentin biomodification and effective formation of dentin-resin biointerfaces of two highly bioactive PAC-rich extracts, Vitis vinifera (Vv) and Camellia sinensis (Cs), delivered using neutral (NP) or acidic (AP) rinse-out primer approaches.

Methods: The depth of dentin demineralization (optical profilometry), dentin biomodification (apparent modulus of elasticity, collagen auto-fluorescence) and properties of dentin-resin interfaces (microtensile bond strength - μTBS, and micro-permeability) were investigated. NP consisted of either 15% Vv or Cs applied for 60 s after surface etching; while AP contained 15% Vv or Cs in either 35% glycolic acid or tartaric acid applied for 30 s or 60 s. Data were analyzed using ANOVA and post-hoc tests (α = 0.05).

Results: The depth of demineralization was statistically higher when applied for 60 s, regardless of rinse-out primer approach (p < 0.001). Compared to the AP strategy, NP exhibited statistically higher apparent modulus of elasticity, regardless of PAC extract (p < 0.001). Highest μTBS were obtained for NP_Vv, which were statistically similar to AP_GAVv, when applied for 60 s (p < 0.001); both resulted in a dramatic decrease of the interfacial permeability. NP_Cs group showed the lowest μTBS (p < 0.001).

Conclusions: A combination of high bond strength and low micro-permeability can be accomplished using glycolic acid with the mid- and high-PAC oligomer enriched extract (Vv). Cs extract containing mostly catechins and dimeric PACs, was found unsuitable for resin-dentin adhesion despite exhibiting high initial dentin biomodification.

Clinical significance: This study provides a new conceptual delivery of PAC-mediated dentin biomodification and conservative dentin surface etching using rinse-out primers. The strategy requires a specific combination of PAC source, α-hydroxy acid, and application time.

Keywords: Alpha-hydroxy acids; Bond strength; Collagen; Dentin; Mechanical properties; Optical profilometry; Proanthocyanidins.