Physicochemical characterization, water sorption and solubility of adhesive systems incorporated with titanium tetrafluoride, and its influence on dentin permeability.

Titanium tetrafluoride (TiF) in an aqueous solution can decrease dentin permeability, but some effects of its incorporation into adhesive systems are not yet known. Therefore, the aim of this study was to characterize the physicochemical, water sorption (WS) and solubility (SL) properties of two adhesive systems (Clearfil SE Bond/C and Scotchbond Universal/S) incorporated with 0.0% (T0), 2.5% (T2) and 4.0% (T4) titanium tetrafluoride (TiF), and determine dentin permeability (L) after application of these adhesive systems both immediately afterwards (baseline) and after 6 months of storage. The physicochemical analyses of the incorporated solutions were performed based on evaluating particle size (PS), polydispersity index (PDI) by dynamic light scattering, and zeta potential (ZP) by electrophoresis. WS and SL tests followed ISO 4049 standards, and used a 7-day water storage period. The L test was performed by analyzing human dentin discs before and after adhesive system application, and after storage. PS and PDI were higher for CT0 and ST4 (p < 0.0001; ANOVA, Tukey). ZP was lower for CT4, ST2 and ST4 (p < 0.0001; ANOVA, Tukey). A 4.0% TiF incorporation showed higher WS (p < 0.05; Mann Whitney, Kruskal Wallis, Dunn). Higher SL was observed for CT0 and ST4 (p < 0.05; Mann Whitney, Kruskal Wallis, Dunn). The L value at baseline was lower for ST4, but was not different from the CT4 groups after storage (p < 0.05; Mann Whitney, Kruskal Wallis, Dunn). It can be concluded that TiF affected the colloidal stability of Scotchbond, but did not alter the other properties. The 2.5% TiF did not affect the PDI, WS or L of the Clearfil, and can be considered an alternative for reducing hybrid layer degradation.