Vibrational analysis by Raman spectroscopy of the interface between dental adhesive resin and dentin

The Raman microprobe technique was applied for analysis of the molecular components at the adhesive interface between 4-META/MMA-TBB resin and dentin. The Raman spectra showed that the 4-META molecules in monomer solution were mostly hydrolyzed into 4-MET molecules, which were then co-polymerized with MMA molecules to form resin and resin-reinforced dentin layers. On the basis of line analysis by the Raman microprobe, resin molecules were estimated to penetrate 6 microns into the dentin from the interface. Raman intensity studies indicated that the concentration of 4-MET molecular units in the resin-reinforced dentin was more than four times the concentration in the original monomer solution. This demonstrated the excellent infiltration ability of 4-MET monomer into dentin substrate in situ.