A Zn-doped etch-and-rinse adhesive may improve the mechanical properties and the integrity at the bonded-dentin interface

ObjectiveThe objective of the study was to determine if zinc-doped etch-and-rinse dentin adhesive may induce therapeutic effects within the resin–dentin interface.MethodsHuman acid-etched dentin was infiltrated with Adper™ Single Bond Plus (SB, 3M ESPE, St. Paul, MN, USA), SB doped with 10 wt.% ZnO nanoparticles (ZnO-SB) or SB doped with 2 wt.% ZnCl2 (ZnCl2-SB). AFM/nanoindentation analysis was performed on fully hydrated specimens to evaluate the nanomechanical properties (Hi: hardness; Ei: modulus of elasticity) across the resin–dentin interface after different SBF storage periods (24 h, 1 m, 3 m). Confocal laser microscopy (CLSM) was used to evaluate the ultramorphology and micropermeability at 24 h and 3 m of SBF storage.ResultsSB control specimens exhibited a decrease in Hi in the hybrid layer (HL) and bottom of the hybrid layer (BHL) and a decrease in Ei in the HL after 3 m of SBF storage, indicating that severe degradation occurred in the control interface. ZnO-SB bonded specimens preserved the initial Hi and Ei at the HL and BHL subsequent SBF storage; ZnCl2-SB bonded specimens showed a decrease in Ei, in the HL over time. CLSM analysis confirmed that both Zn-doped adhesives were able to preserve the integrity of the HL.SignificanceSpecific formulation of Zn-doped etch-and-rinse adhesives may offer the possibility to maintain the nano-mechanical properties along the dentin-bonded interface by inhibiting dentin MMPs and by protective mineral crystals formation within the resin–dentin interface. Clinical advantages may be expected by preserving and improving the integrity of the hybrid layer when Zn-doped adhesives are employed.