Variation in phosphoric acid concentration and treatment time and HEMA diffusion through dentin.

PURPOSE

The effects of phosphoric acid concentration and time of dentin treatment on the movement of 2-hydroxyethylmethacrylate (HEMA) from a bonding resin-resin composite combination through dentin were investigated in vitro.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Freshly extracted human third molar teeth were divided into seven groups each of 10 teeth. A closed chamber was attached to the CEJ of each tooth to contain 1 ml distilled water. An occlusal cavity of 6 mm diameter and remaining dentin thickness of 1.0-1.5 mm was prepared in each tooth. Dentin was treated with either 10% phosphoric acid for 15, 30 or 60 seconds or with 37% phosphoric acid for 15, 30 or 60 seconds. A control group not treated with acid was also prepared. The cavities were rinsed, dried and then treated with the HEMA-containing Scotchbond Multi-Purpose bonding resin which was light-cured for 10 seconds. The cavities were then restored with Z100 and light-cured for 30 seconds. Water samples were retrieved from the chambers over a time course (4.32, 14.4, 43.2, 144 & 432 minutes; 1, 3 and 10 days) and analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography.

RESULTS

HEMA was detected in the pulp chambers of all teeth from 4.32 minutes after resin placement. Mean total (cumulative) release at 10 days for all groups was in the 2-4 mumol range. The highest HEMA diffusion rate was 4.32 minutes after placement and were in the range 6-13 times greater than control in the 10%-15 seconds, 10%-30 seconds, 10%-60 seconds, 37%-15 seconds, and 37%-30 seconds groups. Unexpectedly, by far the lowest early rate at 4.32 minutes was in the 37%-60 seconds group (0.6 times of no-acid control).