Improvement of the bond strength of 4-META/MMA-TBB resin to collagen-depleted dentin

It has been reported that the tensile bond strength between the 4-META/MMA-TBB resin and dentin pretreated with 10% citric/3% ferric chloride solution decreased after immersion in water for 2 years. The current study investigated the effect of an experimental dentin conditioner on the bonding of 4-META/MMA-TBB resin to dentin after thermocycling. The experimental conditioner was an aqueous solution of 10% ascorbic acid and 5% ferric chloride (Exp). Human teeth were prepared to expose flat dentin surfaces. These were treated sequentially with 40% phosphoric acid, 10% sodium hypochlorite, and the experimental conditioner. A commercially available dentin conditioner, an aqueous solution of 10% citric/3% ferric chloride (10-3) was used for a control group. Stainless steel rods were bonded to the pretreated dentin surfaces with the use of the 4-META/MMA-TBB resin. Tensile bond strengths were determined after 0, 5,000, 10,000, 20,000 themocycles. All data were analyzed by ANOVA, and differences among groups were analyzed by Duncan's new multiple range test (n = 10, p < 0.05). The experimental group showed no significant decrease in bond strength through 20,000 thermocycles, while the control group exhibited significant decrease after 10,000 thermocycles. Mean bond strength of the experimental groups were significantly higher than those of the control group at both 10,000 and 20,000 thermocycles. A hybrid layer could not be identified in SEM micrographs of the experimental groups. 10-3-conditioned specimen SEMs displayed crack formation between the adhesive resin and a hybrid layer. The experimental dentin pretreatment improved the bond strength of a 4-META/MMA-TBB resin to human dentin compared to 10-3 treatment after thermocycling.     

Effects of a ferric chloride primer on collagen-depleted dentin bonding between tri-n-butylborane initiated self-curing resin and dentin

This study was designed to evaluate the micro-tensile bond strength between a carboxylic resin and dentin, when the dentin surface was modified with an experimental dentin primer. The three primers tested were ED primer II (ED), 0.3% ferric chloride aqueous solution (FE), and ED containing 0.3% ferric chloride (ED/FE). Three commercial dentin conditioners [40% phosphoric acid, 10% NaOCl, and 10% citric acid with 3% ferric chloride (10-3)] were also used. The coronal surfaces of extracted human molars were ground flat to dentin. The dentin surfaces were treated with phosphoric acid, NaOCl, or with one of the primers. The 10-3 was used without phosphoric acid or NaOCl as a control. A composite material rod was bonded to the dentin surface with 4-META/MMA-TBB resin. After 24-h immersion in 37 degrees C distilled water, 0.9 mm x 0.9 mm composite-dentin beams cut from the bonded specimens were stressed to failure in tension at 0.6 mm/min. The bond strengths were also evaluated after 5000 thermocycles. The bond strength of the group ED/FE was significantly higher than those of the 10-3, ED, and FE. After 5000 thermocycling, 10-3, ED and FE showed significant decrease in bond strength, although no significant decrease was seen for ED/FE. It was concluded that dentin surface treatment with phosphoric acid, NaOCl, and the ED/FE primer improved the bonding (p < 0.05) between 4-META/MMA-TBB resin and dentin, with or without thermocycling, while the bond strengths in the control group fell 34% following 5000 thermocycles.     

Influence of dentin substrates to simplify wet-bonding: a leakage-free and reliable tensile strength interface for long-lasting restorations

The wet-bonding procedure can be simplified by eliminating the primer. An aqueous mixture of 1% citric acid and 1% ferric chloride (1-1) was hypothesized as providing an easier dehydratable thinner substrate to which 4-META/MMA-TBB resin can adhere reliably. The 1-1 was applied for 10 s and rinsed off with water for 10 s. Demineralized dentin under four conditions was prepared before bonding to PMMA rod using 4-META/MMA-TBB resin: air-dried 10 s (D-NP); air-dried 10 s, primed 60 s with 5% 4-META in acetone (D-P); blotted dry 10 s (W-NP); blotted dry 10 s, primed 60 s (W-P). The tensile strengths (MPa) using mini-dumbbell specimens were 4.0 ± 2.4 for D-NP, 10.6 ± 5.4 for D-P, 38.3 ± 4.4 for W-NP, and 42.9 ± 3.3 for W-P. There was no significant difference between W-NP and W-P with cohesive failure in the dentin and the cured resin. In the wet groups, the hybridized dentin was stable against both HCl and NaOCl challenges. TEM examination and a leakage tests confirmed a perfect seal with a leakage-free interface of W-NP. These results suggest that this primer-less wet-bonding is promising method to protect the underlying intact dentin and pulp, thus providing long-lasting dental treatment.     

Immunohistochemical study of dental pulp applied with 4-META/MMA-TBB adhesive resin after pulpotomy

The purpose of this study was to investigate nerve regeneration and proliferative activity in amputated pulp tissue after the application of 4-META/MMA-TBB adhesive resin (4-META resin). Calcium hydroxide was used as a control material. At 3 days, fibroblast-like cells were positive for proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) in both 4-META resin- and calcium hydroxide-treated groups and were located mainly within 0.5 mm from the cut surface. Only a few fragmented neurofilament protein (NFP)-positive nerve fibers were observed in this area. At 7 and 14 days, the number of PCNA-positive cells had gradually decreased and regenerated NFP-positive nerve fibers were observed close to the cut surface of the pulp in both groups. At 21 days in the experimental group, several PCNA-positive cells were still found in the area 0.5 mm from the cut surface, and NFP-positive nerve fibers were detected about 0.15-;0.2 mm from the cut surface. In contrast, a dentin bridge was produced under the necrotic layer at 21 days in the control group. PCNA-positive cells were not found underneath the dentin bridge, but NFP-positive nerve fibers had regenerated close to it. These results suggest that although cell differentiation and nerve regeneration are delayed, wound healing occurred even after the application of 4-META resin to exposed pulp surface the same as calcium hydroxide application.     

Bonded interface between a self-curing resin and dentin primed with a metalloprotein

The purpose of this study was to investigate adhesive bonding between a self-curing luting agent and dentin conditioned with a metalloprotein in terms of resin-dentin hybridization and interfacial polymerization. Of the six experimental primers containing bovine heart cytochrome c (BHCC), three contained 2-hydroxyethylmethacrylate (HEMA) and the remaining three did not. The self-curing luting agent used consisted of methyl methacrylate (MMA) and tri-n-butylborane (TBB) with or without 4-methacryloyloxyethyl trimellitate anhydride (4-META). Bovine dentin surfaces were etched with 10wt% phosphoric acid, primed, and then bonded with stainless steel rods. After 24 h of water storage, the optimum bond strength was obtained with the 4-META/MMA-TBB luting agent and the aqueous primer contained 0.1 micromol/g BHCC and 35wt% HEMA. Microscopic observations showed continuity among the luting agent, the hybridized dentin, and the dentin substrate. A model experiment suggested that BHCC accelerates the polymerization of the 4-META/MMA/HEMA mixture from the hybridized dentin.     

Prevention of fibrous layer formation between bone and adhesive bone cement: in vivo evaluation of bone impregnation with 4-META/MMA-TBB cement

We have studied a new adhesive bone cement, that consists of 4-methacryloyloxyethyl trimellitate anhydride (4-META) and methylmethacrylate (MMA) as monomers, tri-n-butyl borane (TBB) as the initiator, and polymethylmethacrylate powder (4-META/MMA-TBB cement). This cement has shown remarkable adhesive properties to bone in vitro. In this study, we assessed the interface in vivo periodically. The femora of rabbits were fenestrated and filled with either the 4-META/MMA-TBB cement or a conventional polymethylmethacrylate cement. The animals were killed after 1, 4, 12, and 24 weeks to analyze the interface by optical microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. Optical microscopic examinations showed that the cured 4-META/MMA-TBB adhesive cement bonded to bone directly for 24 weeks, whereas a fibrous tissue layer was observed between the bone and cured conventional cement at 12 weeks after the operation. The transmission electron microscopy views of 4-META/MMA-TBB cement bonded to bone demonstrated a unique "hybridized bone" with the cement in the subsurface of the substrate in every case. The formation of the hybridized bone indicates the bonding mechanism of the adhesive cement to bone, which prevents the fibrosis intervention between bone and cement. These results suggest that the biomechanical and adhesive properties of 4-META/MMA-TBB cement make it a useful bone-bonding agent in orthopedic surgery.     

Improved photochemical bonding of composites to dentin using 4-methacryloxyethyl trimellitate anhydride

The main objective was to evaluate the use of 4-methacryloxyethyl trimellitate anhydride (4-META) to improve bonding of composite materials to dentin. Bowen's resin, containing camphoroquinone, was polymerized by exposure to visible light. In composites, made with a silanated silicate, inclusion of 4-META (3%) had little effect in increasing mechanical strength or adhesion to bovine teeth. However, direct application of 4-META via acetone solution was found to be an effective way of increasing tensile adhesive strength; by 240% to dentin (to 7.2 MPa) and by 160% to enamel (to 10.8 MPa). Applying the experience mentioned above, 4-META was used to bond a proprietary photocuring microfilled composite material to Class V cavities in freshly extracted human teeth. After thermal cycling between water baths held at 5 degrees C and 60 degrees C, all dentin restorations without 4-META failed, as judged by marginal leakage of a dyestuff. In contrast, using 4-META there was no leakage in 9 out of 10 cases. In restorations involving enamel, 4-META failed to prevent marginal leakage at the enamel margins but did prevent penetration along the dentin/composite interface. It is concluded that 4-META shows great promise for preventing marginal leakage at dentin/composite interfaces.     

Adhesive bone cement both to bone and metals: 4-META in MMA initiated with tri-n-butyl borane

In order to develop a new bone cement which is expected to prevent loosening of a prosthesis by better adhesion, the cement composed of 4-methacryloyloxyethyl trimellitate anhydride (4-META) and methyl methacrylate (MMA) as monomers and tri-n-butyl borane (TBB) as an initiator was evaluated. The tensile bond strength between bone and metals adhered with 4-META/MMA-TBB cement was above 7 MPa. The values were higher than that with conventional bone cement (1 MPa) or MMA-TBB cement (2 MPa). Therefore, 4-META was effective for improving adhesion. When cohesive failure of the bone was observed with the scanning electron micrography after the tensile test, fracture occurred on the bone side below the interface between the bone and the 4-META/MMA-TBB cement. This result showed that the cement adhered tightly to both the bone and metals. Thus, it is concluded that the 4-META/MMA-TBB cement is useful as an adhesive bone cement.     

In vivo evaluation of the bond strength of adhesive 4-META/MMA-TBB bone cement under weight-bearing conditions

In order to minimize the problems associated with implant fixation using acrylic bone cement, we studied a new adhesive bone cement that consists of 4-methacryloyloxyethyl trimellitate anhydryde (4-META) and methylmethacrylate (MMA) as monomers, tri-n-butylborane (TBB) as an initiator, and PMMA powder (4-META/MMA-TBB cement). It shows remarkable adhesive properties to metal and bone in vitro. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the strength of the bond of the cement to both metal and bone in vivo under weight-bearing conditions. Metal prostheses were implanted in the right femora of 12 rabbits using either adhesive 4-META/MMA-TBB cement or the conventional PMMA cement, as the control, for fixation. After 4 and 12 weeks, both femora were excised and the same operations were performed in the left femora in vitro. Eighteen femora were sectioned for the mechanical assessment of the bone-cement and cement-implant interfaces. 4-META/MMA-TBB cement had a significantly higher interfacial shear strength than the conventional PMMA cement: 201 N and 90 N, on average, for the implant-cement interface (p<0.01); and 138 N and 89 N, on average, for the bone-cement interface (p<0.01), at 12 weeks. The present results suggest the efficacy of 4-META/MMA-TBB cement in providing greater fixation of implants to bone and promise a firmer intramedullary fixation than the control conventional PMMA cement.     

Effect of self-etching primers containing N-acryloyl aspartic acid on dentin adhesion

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of aspartic acid derivative, N-acryloyl aspartic acid (N-AAsp) when used as a self-etching primer prior to the application of a commercial bonding agent containing 10-methacryloxydecyl dihydrogen phosphate. N-AAsp was synthesized by the reaction of DL-aspartic acid and acryloyl chloride. N-AAsp can be dissolved in water up to 25 wt % and can adequately remove the smear layer. When 20 wt % N-AAsp was applied as a self-etching primer, the tensile bonding strength of resin composite to dentin doubled to 16.0 MPa compared with that of the nonetching group or the 40 wt % H(3)PO(4) etching/water rinse group. Scanning electron microscopic observations revealed that the formation of the hybrid layer at the interface between the resin composite and dentin and the thickness of the hybrid layer increased with N-AAsp concentration. The hybrid layer in the specimens treated with 20 wt % N-AAsp aqueous solution presented a uniform structure, whereas those treated with 5 wt % N-AAsp solution showed a porous structure. We conclude that 20 wt % N-AAsp aqueous solution has good potential value as a self-etching primer.     

Effect of structural change of collagen fibrils on the durability of dentin bonding

This study investigates the effect of structural changes of collagen fibrils on the bonding durability of a total etch luting resin (Super-Bond C&B) and a self-etching luting resin (Panavia F 2.0) to dentin. An atomic force microscope (AFM) was used to observe structural changes of intact dentin collagen fibrils after acidic conditionings of two bonding systems. After 90 d water storage and 15,000 thermal cycles (TC) as artificial aging, micro-tensile bond strength (microTBS) was utilized to evaluate the bonding durability of the two bonding systems to dentin. microTBS after 1 d or 90 d water storage without TC were separately measured in control groups. A cross-banding periodicity of about 67 nm along collagen fibrils was seen on demineralized intertubular dentin surfaces in AFM images. For both luting resins, thermal cycling decreased (p < 0.05) microTBS of 1 d and 90 d, compared to controls. Scanning electron microscope and transmission electron microscopic examinations revealed that the top and bottom of hybrid layer (HL) were weak links in the bonding interface over time. The results suggest that the top of HL contains disorganized collagen fibrils from the smear layer which degrade over time. AFM results indicate that the demineralized intact collagen fibrils beneath the smear layer were not denatured during acidic conditioning. However, these collagen fibrils may be structurally unstable due to poor infiltration by resin or loss of resin protection within the HL over time, reducing the long-term microTBS. This process was accelerated by thermal fatigue cycling.     

Microperoxidase primer promotes adhesion of butylborane-polymerized resin to dentin

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of dentin primers containing microperoxidase (MP-11) with 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) on the bond strength between a tri-n-butylborane-initiated self-polymerizing resin and dentin. Bovine dentin surfaces were etched with 10 wt % phosphoric acid, primed, and then bonded with stainless steel rods. Tensile bond strength after 24 h of storage in water was significantly influenced by both MP-11 and HEMA. Groups with no MP-11 showed the lowest values. Without HEMA, the bond strengths of groups using 0.01, 0.1, and 1.0 micromol/g MP-11 were statistically identical, and also greater than that of the no MP-11 control. In the presence of HEMA, the bond strength was significantly enhanced with an increasing concentration of MP-11. The highest bond strength of 29.0 MPa was obtained with aqueous HEMA primer, containing 1.0 micromol/g MP-11. Microscopic observation showed the formation of a hybrid layer at the bonded interface. Polymerization of the resin was significantly accelerated with the MP-11 primer. In conclusion, MP-11 has a potential for adhesive bonding promoter between the resin and the demineralized dentin surface.     

A study on cytochrome c oxidoreductase for bonding a tri-n-butylborane-initiated luting agent to dentin.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of cytochrome c, an oxidoreductase, in terms of initiation of polymerization in dentin bonding. The efficacy of experimental dentin primers was evaluated via the bonding of a luting agent to dentin. The eight primers evaluated were cytochrome c aqueous solutions, four with 35 wt% 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) and four without. The concentrations of cytochrome c in the primers were 0, 0.01, 0.1, and 1[corrected] micromol/g. The luting agent (Super-Bond C&B) consisted of methyl methacrylate (MMA), 4-methacryloyloxyethyl trimellitate anhydride (4-META), and tri-n-butylborane (TBB) initiator. Bovine dentin surfaces were flattened, etched with an aqueous solution of 10 wt% phosphoric acid, primed, and then bonded with stainless steel rods. After 1-day immersion in water, tensile testing revealed that the bond strength was influenced by the application of cytochrome c and HEMA. The maximum bond strength of 24.6 MPa was recorded with aqueous HEMA primer containing 10 micromol/g cytochrome c. This bonding technique, combining oxidoreductase with Super-Bond C&B, may potentially be applied for seating resin-bonded restorations.     

Nanoleakage and microshear bond strength in deproteinized human dentin

This study evaluated the influence of dentin deproteinization with NaOCl on the microshear bond strength (microSBS) and the nanoleakage patterns of three dentin bonding systems (DBS). Occlusal dentin surfaces, obtained from extracted noncarious human molars, were divided into two experimental groups, according to dentin surface treatment: Group I-37% H(3)PO(4)/15s and Group II-37% H(3)PO(4)/15s + 10% NaOCl/1 min. The dentin surfaces were bonded with one of the following DBS: Scotchbond Multipurpose-SBMP, Prime & Bond NT-PB and Clearfil SE Bond-SE. After 1 week storage in water at 37 degrees C, the specimens were subjected to the microSBS test. The data were analyzed by two-way ANOVA and Student-Newman-Keuls' test (p = 0.05). The nanoleakage was evaluated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) in backscattered electron imaging regime. No significant difference in microSBS between dentin treatments was found for SBMP. For PB, microSBS increased after NaOCl dentin treatment. SE showed a reduction in microSBS in deproteinized specimens. SEM analysis showed different nanoleakage patterns for each DBS. Irrespective of dentin treatments, all SBMP specimens showed nanoleakage. SE did not show nanoleakage with the two dentin treatments. PB showed nanoleakage within the hybrid layer only in acid-etched specimens. The influence of dentin deproteinization was dependent on the dentin bonding system formulation.     

Adhesion to chondroitinase ABC treated dentin

Dentin bonding relies on complete resin impregnation throughout the demineralised hydrophilic collagen mesh. Chondroitin sulphate-glycosaminoglycans are claimed to regulate the three-dimensional arrangement of the dentin organic matrix and its hydrophilicity. The aim of this study was to investigate bond strength of two etch-and-rinse adhesives to chondroitinase ABC treated dentin. Human extracted molars were treated with chondroitinase ABC and a double labeling immunohistochemical technique was applied to reveal type I collagen and chondroitin 4/6 sulphate distribution under field emission in-lens scanning electron microscope. The immunohistochemical technique confirmed the effective removal of chondroitin 4/6 sulphate after the enzymatic treatment. Dentin surfaces exposed to chondroitinase ABC and untreated specimens prepared on untreated acid-etched dentin were bonded with Adper Scotchbond Multi-Purpose or Prime and Bond NT. Bonded specimens were submitted to microtensile testing and nanoleakage interfacial analysis under transmission electron microscope. Increased mean values of microtensile bond strength and reduced nanoleakage expression were found for both adhesives after chondroitinase ABC treatment of the dentin surface. Adper Scotchbond Multi-Purpose increased its bond strength about 28%, while bonding made with Prime and Bond NT almost doubled (92% increase) compared to untreated specimens. This study supports the hypothesis that adhesion can be enhanced by removal of chondroitin 4/6 sulphate and dermatan sulphate, probably due to a reduced amount of water content and enlarged interfibrillar spaces. Further studies should validate this hypothesis investigating the stability of chondroitin 4/6 and dermatan sulphate-depleted dentin bonded interface over time.     

The effect of NaOCl dentin treatment on nanoleakage formation

The term "nanoleakage" has been introduced to explain a penetration pathway within hybrid layers of the dentin-composite junction in the absence of gap formation. This phenomenon is argued in the literature to be a risk factor for the quality of the dentin bonding. NaOCl is a well-known agent used to remove collagen layers that are exposed after acid etching. The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of an NaOCl treatment of dentin to the formation of nanoleakage. Class V cavities were prepared in 40 human molars with the cervical margins located in dentin. After etching with phosphoric acid, 20 samples were treated with 10% NaOCl for 60 s, and 20 samples were used as control. Composite restorations were placed using two different bonding systems. The specimen were exposed in silver nitrate solution and then in developer. After embedding, the teeth were sectioned, dried, coated with gold, and analyzed by SEM. For all the specimen in the control group, backscatter images indicated a silver penetration within the hybrid layer. There was no penetration of silver detectable in the teeth that were treated with NaOCl. We conclude that the removal of the collagen layer by using NaOCl avoids the formation of nanoleakages with the materials tested.     

酸蚀牙面后黏结树脂嵌体修复牙体的抗力性能

背景：树脂嵌体修复牙体缺损在一定程度上可减少修复后牙齿的折裂,但嵌体经不同方法黏结处理后对牙体抗力的影响未见报道。 目的：了解复合树脂经不同方法处理后修复牙体的抗力特性。 方法：将40颗无龋人前磨牙制作近中-牙合面-远中洞型洞,随机分成4组：其中一组备洞后未进行修复作为对照组,其他3组分别以可乐丽菲露光固化复合树脂直接充填,可乐丽菲露光固化复合树脂嵌体直接黏结和酸蚀黏结修复。 结果与结论：①力学模型静态力学加载实验结果：树脂直接充填组、树脂嵌体直接黏结和酸蚀黏结组断裂载荷均高于对照组(P < 0.05),前3组断裂载荷比较组间差异无显著性意义(P > 0.05),树脂嵌体酸蚀黏结组断裂载荷最大。②扫描电镜观察结果：树脂直接充填组断裂位于牙本质层和树脂之间,几乎无树脂残留,有较多孔隙;树脂嵌体直接黏结组大量牙本质基体与树脂间断裂,有较少树脂残留;树脂嵌体酸蚀黏结组牙与树脂之间无气泡、无缝隙、相互嵌合、紧密接触;对照组,树脂直接充填、直接黏结、酸蚀黏结组分别出现10,5,3,1个样本树脂内聚破坏断裂。表明经酸蚀处理复合树脂嵌体可提高牙体力学性能。     

Effect of light-cure time of adhesive resin on the thickness of the oxygen-inhibited layer and the microtensile bond strength to dentin

A thick oxygen-inhibited layer (OIL) on a cured adhesive layer (AL) is believed to result in both good adaptation of composite resin (CR) and high bond strength. A high degree of conversion (DC) of the AL is also needed for durable bonding. This study evaluated the hypothesis that increasing the DC by prolonging the light-curing time of adhesive bonding resin might decrease the bond strength of the adhesive to dentin because of the subsequent thinning of the OIL thickness. The OIL thickness and the DC of solvent-removed One Step and D/E bonding resin of All Bond 2 (Bisco, USA) were measured simultaneously with FT-NIR spectroscopy according to increasing light-cure times (10, 20, 30, and 60 s) so as to evaluate their effect on the microtensile bond strength. The bonded interfaces were evaluated using scanning electron microscopy. Excessive irradiation of light-curing adhesives increased the DC, but decreased the OIL thickness. When the OIL was significantly thin by curing the adhesives for 30 or 60 s, defects were observed at the interface between the AL and the CR, as well as at the interface between the AL and the hybrid layer. When the OIL was thick, free radicals from the overlying CR may have diffused into the unreacted monomer mixtures of the OIL, chemically connecting the cured AL and the newly curing composite. It was found that to obtain maximum dentin bond strength, light-curing adhesives should be cured for the irradiation time recommended by the manufacturer.     

The fibrillar structure of cementum and dentin at the cemento-dentinal junction in rat molars

The cemento-dentinal junction was examined in demineralized rat molars with complete roots by scanning electron microscopy combined with NaOH maceration. It is established that the NaOH maceration removes interfibrillar substances and cells from connective tissues selectively without structural damage to collagen fibrils. The cementum was detached from the dentin by the maceration. The inner cementum surface facing the dentin and the outer dentin surface facing the cementum were observed. In acellular cementum, both the outer dentin surface and the inner cementum surface had a smooth appearance. There was little indication of fibrils intermingling between dentin and cementum. In contrast, both the inner cementum surface and outer dentin surface in cellular cementum had an uneven appearance due to the irregular arrangement of collagen fibrils. Point-like protrusions of fibril bundles were observed on both surfaces. Some (not all) of these point-like protrusions appeared to correspond to places of fibrillar intermingling between dentin and cementum.     

Fourier transform infrared photoacoustic spectroscopy study of physicochemical interaction between human dentin and etch-&-rinse adhesives in a simulated moist bond technique

The purpose of this study was to provide the physicochemical interactions at the interfaces between two commercial etch-&-rinse adhesives and human dentin in a simulated moist bond technique. Six dentin specimens were divided into two groups (n=3) according to the use of two different adhesive systems: (a) 2-hydroxyethylmethacrylate (HEMA) and 4-methacryloxyethyl trimellitate anhydrate (4-META), and (b) HEMA. The Fourier transform infrared photoacoustic spectroscopy was performed before and after dentin treatment with 37% phosphoric acid, with adhesive systems and also for the adhesive systems alone. Acid-conditioning resulted in a decalcification pattern. Adhesive treated spectra subtraction suggested the occurrence of chemical bonding to dentin expressed through modifications of the OH stretching peak (3340 cm(-1)) and symmetric CH stretching (2900 cm(-1)) for both adhesives spectra; a decrease of orthophosphate absorption band (1040 to 970 cm(-1)) for adhesive A and a better resolved complex band formation (1270 to 970 cm(-1)) for adhesive B were observed. These results suggested the occurrence of chemical bonding between sound human dentin and etch-&-rinse adhesives through a clinical typical condition.