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Published on: November 9, 2014
Tetrahydrofuran as solvent in dental adhesives: cytotoxicity and dentin bond stability
Silvia Terra Fontes1, María Raquel Fernández, Fabrício Aulo Ogliari
1Operative Dentistry Department, School of Dentistry, Federal University of Pelotas, Rua Gonçalves Chaves, 457, Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.
Objectives:
The aim of this study was to investigate the cytotoxicity and 1-year dentin bond stability of solvated etch-and-rinse dental adhesives based on tetrahydrofuran (THF), acetone, or ethanol, containing water or not.
Materials And Methods:
Seven primers were prepared using the following solvents: THF, acetone, ethanol, water, THF/water, acetone/water, and ethanol/water. Bovine dentin was used, and specimens for microtensile bond strength (μTBS) test were prepared. Specimens were tested after storage in distilled water for 24 h or 1 year. Cytotoxicity of the solvents was evaluated in 3T3/NIH mouse fibroblasts using a colorimetric 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay after exposure for 24 h.
Results:
No significant differences were detected among solvents after storage for 24 h, except for the water-based group, which showed the lowest μTBS values. After storage for 1 year, the THF-based adhesive system resulted in more stable bonds. Yet, THF showed an intermediate cytotoxicity when compared with the other solvents, being less toxic than phosphate monomer and similar to 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate.
Conclusion:
THF seems to be a suitable solvent for adhesive systems.
Clinical Relevance:
THF is a promising solvent that can be used to improve dentin bond stability.
