Zinc-doped dentin adhesive for collagen protection at the hybrid layer

The aim of the study was to ascertain whether the addition of zinc to adhesives may decrease metalloproteinase-mediated collagen degradation without affecting bonding efficacy. Human dentin beams were treated with phosphoric acid, with Clearfil SE Bond Primer or with Clearfil SE Bond Primer plus ZnCl(2) (2 wt%). Acid-etched dentin was infiltrated with Single Bond, Single Bond plus ZnCl(2) (2 wt%), or Single Bond plus ZnO nanoparticles (10 wt%), and Clearfil SE Bond-primed dentin was infiltrated with Clearfil SE Bonding resin, Clearfil SE-Bonding resin with ZnCl(2) (2 wt%), or Clearfil SE-Bonding resin with ZnO nanoparticles (10 wt%). The C-terminal telopeptide concentrations were determined 24 h, and 1 and 4 wk after treatment. Microtensile bond strength to dentin was determined for the tested adhesives. Matrix metalloproteinases-mediated collagen degradation occurred in acid-etched and SE-primed dentin. Resin infiltration decreased collagen degradation. Lower collagen degradation was found for SE Bond than for Single Bond. Zinc-doped Single Bond resin always reduced collagen degradation, the ZnO particles being more effective than ZnCl(2) . Zinc-doped SE Bond reduced the liberation of C-terminal telopeptide only at 24 h. Bond strength to dentin was not decreased when Zn-doped resins were employed, except when ZnCl(2) was added to SE Primer. Zinc-doped resin reduced collagen degradation in Single Bond hybrid layers, but did not affect bond strength. The addition of zinc to SE Bond had no beneficial effects.