Layering mechanism of MDP-Ca salt produced in demineralization of enamel and dentin apatite.

OBJECTIVE

The 10-methacryloyloxydecyl dihydrogen phosphate (MDP) (EX adhesives)-based one-step self-etch adhesives have become widely utilized due to their simplified application procedures. The aim of this study was to determine the type of the molecular species of calcium salts of MDP (MDP-Ca salts) that form a layered structure and to understand the layering mechanism of MDP-Ca salts.

METHODS

The EX adhesives were prepared by varying the amounts of MDP (25.6, 49.9, 80.5 and 116.1mg) added in 1g of the EX adhesive. Enamel and dentin reactant residues were obtained after the reaction of each EX adhesive to enamel or dentin particles for 30s. The chemical analyses of both reactant residues were then performed.

RESULTS

The molecular species of MDP-Ca salts that form a layered structure were determined as mono-calcium salt (MCS-MD) and di-calcium salts of the MDP dimer (DCS-MD). The dentin sample showed two types of characteristic XRD peaks assigned to the layer structure, since the dentin produced DCS-MD along with MCS-MD in contrast to the enamel sample. A mono-calcium salt of the MDP monomer (MCS-MM), a predominant molecular species, was not contributed to a layered-structure formation, since the intensities of characteristic XRD peaks are limited by the production of DCS-MD and MCS-MD.

SIGNIFICANCE

The self-assembled layering of MCS-MD and DCS-MD is associated by a hydrophobic bond between two 10-methylene groups in MCS-MD and DCS-MD. The MCS-MD may form a more tightly-packed layered structure than DCS-MD by the hydrogen bonded interaction between hydroxy groups bonded to each phosphorous atom.