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Differential nanofiller cluster formations in dental adhesive systems
Estrella Osorio1, Manuel Toledano, Monica Yamauti
1Department of Dental Materials, School of Dentistry, University of Granada, Granada, Spain.
Microscopy Research and Technique
|December 8, 2011
Summary
Adding solvents like ethanol or water to dental adhesives can cause nanofiller aggregation, negatively impacting the hybrid layer. Ethanol generally leads to larger filler clusters than water.
Area of Science:
- Dental Materials Science
- Nanotechnology in Dentistry
- Biomaterials Engineering
Background:
- Nanofillers enhance mechanical properties of dental adhesives and the hybrid layer.
- Solvents such as ethanol or water are used to improve adhesive infiltration into demineralized dentin.
- Potential filler aggregation due to solvent addition can compromise adhesive performance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of 5 vol% water or ethanol on nanoparticle distribution within dental adhesives.
- To investigate the aggregation behavior of nanofillers in various dental bonding agents when exposed to solvents.
Main Methods:
- Six commercial dental adhesive systems and one experimental filler-free system were analyzed.
- Polymer films were created with 0 (control), 5 vol% water, or 5 vol% ethanol added to bonding resins.
- Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) in tapping mode was used to image and analyze nanoparticle clusters and surface nanoroughness.
Main Results:
- Nanofiller aggregation was observed in control specimens of several commercial adhesives (CSE, FLB, OUB, BF).
- The addition of water or ethanol induced particle aggregation in the tested bonding resins.
- Ethanol addition resulted in more significant aggregation, especially in adhesives containing fluoraluminosilicate fillers.
Conclusions:
- Nanofiller aggregation is a common occurrence in dental adhesive systems when additional solvents are present.
- Ethanol generally causes larger aggregate sizes compared to water.
- The size of the formed nanofiller clusters exceeds the interstitial spaces within demineralized collagen fibers, potentially affecting hybrid layer integrity.
