>> 0 >> 1 >> 2 >> 3 >> 4 >>

INTRODUCTION
DENTIN BONDING AGENTS are designed to provide a
sufficiently strong interface between restoratives composites
and tooth structure to withstand mechanical forces and
shrinkage stress.

REQUIREMENTS:
• Good wettability
• low viscosity

>> 0 >> 1 >> 2 >> 3 >> 4 >>

 Definitions
• Adhesion ~ the attraction between two atoms and molecules
at the contacting surfaces of different materials; it can be
chemical (ionic), physical (van der Waals’), and/or
mechanical (micro- or macro- interlocking)

• Adhesive ~ monomer (or related) that penetrates and

establishes intimate contact with the conditioned tissue
substrate, polymerises, and forms a strong bond between
such substrate and the restorative material

• Priming ~ cleaning, structural alteration, and increasing

adhesiveness of the substrate.

>> 0 >> 1 >> 2 >> 3 >> 4 >>

 • Etching ~ dissolution of the substrate, removed
by rinsing to enhance intimate contact of
adhesives with collagen.
• Wetting ~ the ability of a liquid to come into
intimate contact with solid substrate; facilitates
bonding

>> 0 >> 1 >> 2 >> 3 >> 4 >>

 MECHANISM OF ADHESION

It involves:
- Removal of hydroxyapatite to create micropores
- Infiltration of resin monomers into the micropores and
subsequent polymerization.

This results in the formation of “RESIN TAGS”

They are micromechanical interlocks/interpenetrates with

hard tissues.

>> 0 >> 1 >> 2 >> 3 >> 4 >>

 Microstructure of enamel:
• Inorganic component
is homogenous,
% by volume
regular rods and
3%
12%
prisms
water
organic
mineral

85%

>> 0 >> 1 >> 2 >> 3 >> 4 >>

 Microstructure of dentin:
• Inorganic component is
% by volume
heterogeneous,
45% peritubular and
water intertubular dentin
organic
mineral
• Low surface free energy
- wets less easily
33% 22%

>> 0 >> 1 >> 2 >> 3 >> 4 >>

 Difficulties of bonding to dentin
• Complex histologic structure and variable composition of
the dentin.
• Whereas enamel is 92% inorganic hydroxyapatite by
volume, dentine is (on average) only 45% inorganic.
• Also dentinal hydroxyapatite is randomly arranged in an
organic matrix that consists primarily of collagen, which
is permeated throughout by tubules.
• These contain vital processes of the pulp odontoblasts.
Hence, vital dentine is a sensitive structure.
• The high water content provides competition with any
adhesive biomaterial for bonding to dentine.

>> 0 >> 1 >> 2 >> 3 >> 4 >>

 Smear Layer:
• Whenever both/either enamel and dentinal
tissues are cut mechanically(especially with a
rotary instrument), a layer of adherent grinding
debris and organic film is left on their surface.
• And this layer is called “SMEAR LAYER”
• Composed of:
– Pulverized hydroxyapatite
– Altered collagen
– Bacteria
– Saliva

>> 0 >> 1 >> 2 >> 3 >> 4 >>

 Smear Layer

• To achieve a strong bond, it is necessary to

either strengthen this smear-layer in situ or to
remove it entirely.
• In the latter, it is imperative to ensure an
adequately adhesive restorative otherwise the
open tubules may allow irritants or bacteria
greater access to the pulp.

>> 0 >> 1 >> 2 >> 3 >> 4 >>

 COMPONENTS OF BONDING AGENTS

Has 3 components, namely

1.ETCHANT
•They are relatively strong acids
•Used to remove smear layer and to dissolve mineral phase
to allow formation of micromechanical interlocking in enamel
and dentin
•Eg: 37% Phosphoric acid
•Etching is done until a white frosty appearance is observed

>> 0 >> 1 >> 2 >> 3 >> 4 >>

 • 2. PRIMER
• They are hydrophilic monomers usually carried in a
solvent ( eg: acetone, water, ethanol)
• They can easily penetrate moist tooth structure and
maintain expanded collagen network.
• It removes residual water to allow the infiltration of the
hydrophobic adhesive monomer.
• Eg: HEMA (2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate
• Etched dentinal surface on application of primer gives a
shag carpet like appearance.

>> 0 >> 1 >> 2 >> 3 >> 4 >>

 3. ADHESIVE
• They are generally hydrophobic monomer
• Purpose:
-To fill the interfibrillar space of collagen network,
creating hybrid layer and resin tags to provide
micromechanical retention upon polymerization
- also prevents fluid leakage along the margins of the
restorative material
• Its mainly composed of bis-GMA, TEGDMA, UDMA
etc

>> 0 >> 1 >> 2 >> 3 >> 4 >>

 Concept of a Dentin Bonding Agent:

D
E
N Dentin
Bonding COMPOSITE
T Agent
I HYDROPHILIC
HYDROPHOBIC
N

>> 0 >> 1 >> 2 >> 3 >> 4 >>

 CLASSIFICATION OF DENTIN BONDING AGENTS

Based on generations:
• First Generation.
• Second Generation.
• Third Generation.
• Fourth Generation.
• Fifth Generation.
• Sixth Generation.
• Seventh Generation.

>> 0 >> 1 >> 2 >> 3 >> 4 >>

 First Generation
• These contained N-phenylglycine and glycidyl
methacrylate or NPG-GMA.
• NPG-GMA is a bifunctional molecule or coupling
agent.
• This means that one end of this molecule bonds
to dentin while the other bonds (polymerizes) to
composite resin.
• The bond strengths of these early systems were
only 1 to 3 MPa.

>> 0 >> 1 >> 2 >> 3 >> 4 >>

 • Drawbacks
-It showed poor clinical results
-Dentinal etchant wasn’t recommended.
-Low bond strength
• Example: Cervident (SS white), cosmic bond.

>> 0 >> 1 >> 2 >> 3 >> 4 >>

 Second Generation
• Phosphate ester dentin bonding agents were introduced
containing phenyl P and HEMA in ethanol
• MOA: its based on the polar interaction between
negatively changed phosphate groups in resin and
positively changed Ca++ in smear layer
• The bond strength was 5 to 6 MPa.
• Drawbacks:
-Loosely attached smear layer
-hydrophobic nature
• Example: ScotchBond (3M dental), Clearfil bond system.

>> 0 >> 1 >> 2 >> 3 >> 4 >>

 Drawbacks:
• Since dentin was not etched in these early
bonding systems bonding was with the
smear layer.
• Water immersion.

>> 0 >> 1 >> 2 >> 3 >> 4 >>

 Third Generation
• They were designed not to remove the entire smear layer
but rather to modify it and allow penetration of acidic
monomers, such as phenyl-P and Penta.
• Dentin was conditioned using mild acids( k.a conditioners)
like 10% citric acid, 10% maleic acid, 20% citric acid etc.
• Bond strength is 3 to 8 MPa
• Disadvantages:
-Requires more steps
-Procedure is complex
• Examples: ScotchBond 2, Universal bond 2 etc.

>> 0 >> 1 >> 2 >> 3 >> 4 >>

 Fourth Generation
• Aka 3-step total etch and rinse
• Total etch technique was introduced by fusayama.
• Here both enamel and dentin are etched with 37%
phosphoric acid.
• When primer and bonding resin are applied to etched
dentin, they penetrate the intertubular dentin.
• This leads to formation of a layer called “HYBRID
LAYER”.
• Wet bonding is observed here(i.e ability to bond to moist
dentin)

>> 0 >> 1 >> 2 >> 3 >> 4 >>

 The conditioning step  priming step  Adhesive application.

Etchant Primer Adhesive

+ +

Etchant Primer Adhesive

3 step total etch IV Generation

>> 0 >> 1 >> 2 >> 3 >> 4 >>

 Here the complete removal of the smear layer is
achieved .

>> 0 >> 1 >> 2 >> 3 >> 4 >>

 Hybridisation Zone
• Results from the polymerized methacrylate and
dentin.
• Def:
“the structure formed in dental hard tissues (enamel,
dentin,cementum) by demineralization of the surface and
subsurface, followed by infiltration of monomers and
subsequent polymerization.”
- Nakabayashi et al (1982)

• Aka Dentin Interdiffusion Zone.

>> 0 >> 1 >> 2 >> 3 >> 4 >>

 Hybrid zone

Hybrid zone

>> 0 >> 1 >> 2 >> 3 >> 4 >>

 • The formation of resin tags and adhesive lateral
branches complete the bonding mechanism between the
adhesive material and etched dentin substrate.
• Bond strength 13 to 30 MPa
• Eg: OptiBond FL and ScotchBond multipurpose.

>> 0 >> 1 >> 2 >> 3 >> 4 >>

 Fifth Generation

• Unique feature: combination of the priming and bond

resin application steps, resulting in a one component
formula.Hnce aka 2-step etch and rinse adhesive.
• These bonding systems create a mechanical interlocking
with etched dentin by means of resin tags, adhesive
lateral branches and hybrid layer formation.
• It also relies heavily on wet bonding.
• Bond strength is 3 to 25 MPa.

>> 0 >> 1 >> 2 >> 3 >> 4 >>

 Fifth Generation
Advantages:
-Reduced application steps
-Less technique sensitive
-Incresed bond strength

Disadvantages:
-They lack many of the components necessary to perform
multisubstrate bonding
-Multiple coats of these agents are required
•Eg: OptiBond Solo and OptiBond Solo Plus.

>> 0 >> 1 >> 2 >> 3 >> 4 >>

 Etchant Primer Adhesive
+

Aka 2-step etch and rinse

>> 0 >> 1 >> 2 >> 3 >> 4 >>

 Sixth Generation
• They are self etching adhesives ( Etch & prime simultaneously).
• It involves 2-step,i.e,
1. Etch and Prime
2. Adhesive
-They dissolve the smear layer when applied and do not require rinsing.
• Advantages:
-Minimize postoperative sensitivity.
-Increase bond strength to enamel and superficial dentin are typically greater
than deep dentin.

>> 0 >> 1 >> 2 >> 3 >> 4 >>

 Sixth Generation
Type I

Self
Etchant +
etching Primer + Adhesive
primer

Sixth Generation
Type II

All in one Adhesive

Etchant + adhesive
Primer +

>> 0 >> 1 >> 2 >> 3 >> 4 >>

 Seventh Generation
Self-etch adhesive

Etchant + Primer + Adhesive = All in one

adhesive

Etchant Primer Adhesive

Involves only 1 step(etch+priming+adhesive)

>> 0 >> 1 >> 2 >> 3 >> 4 >>

 Eighth Generation
• In 2010, voco America introduced voco futurabond DC as
8th generation bonding agent, which contains nanosized
fillers.
• In the new agents, the addition of nano-fillers with an
average particle size of 12 nm increases the penetration of
resin monomers and the hybrid layer thickness, which in
turn improves the mechanical properties of the bonding
systems.
• These new agent from self-etch generations have an acidic
hydrophilic monomers and can be easily used on the
etched enamel after contamination with saliva or moisture.

>> 0 >> 1 >> 2 >> 3 >> 4 >>

>> 0 >> 1 >> 2 >> 3 >> 4 >>
 Questions from Old D.M Papers
• Bonding agents – 4m
(2006,2008,2009,2010,2011,2013,2016,2018)
• Smear layer – 2m (2017) (imp.viva question)
• Etching – 2m (2004,2012,2015) (imp.viva
question)
• Acid etch technique – 4m (2009,2014)
(imp.viva question)

>> 0 >> 1 >> 2 >> 3 >> 4 >>