Use of dental adhesives as modeler liquid of resin composites

Resin adhesives (RA) have been applied between resin composite (RC) increments, but there is no consensus on the impact of this technique on the properties of the final restoration. This study evaluated the effect of the presence of RA between RC layers on physical properties, translucency and long-term color stability of the restorative material.

Scotchbond™ Multi-Purpose (bond, 3M ESPE) and Adper™ Single Bond 2 (3M ESPE) were used as RA, and Filtek™ Z350 (3M ESPE) as RC. Specimens containing RA were prepared by applying 3 layers of the adhesive between 4 increments of RC; adhesive-free specimens were also used (control). Tests of water sorption and solubility, mechanical performance (microtensile cohesive strength, flexural strength, and flexural modulus, after immediate and long-term water storage), and translucency and color stability (after immediate and 1, 7, 90, and 180 days of water or wine storage) were performed. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images were also taken from the fractured specimens (flexural strength test). Data were analyzed using ANOVA and Tukey test (p<0.05).

Scotchbond (SBMP) showed lower water sorption and solubility than the control (p<0.001), and an overall similar (p≥0.198, immediate tests) or higher (p≤0.019, long-term tests) mechanical performance. SBMP exhibited a rougher cross-sectional surface compared to the other groups. Translucency remained unaltered after 180 days of storage (p≥0.313), except for single bond that had increased translucency with wine storage (p<0.045). After 180 days, all groups changed color (p≤0.002), although more intensively when immersed in wine.

The presence of RA within RC increments increased the physical stability of the material, being this effect more evident by using the hydrophobic unfilled adhesive resin (SBMP). This study is the first to show positive results from the use of resin adhesives as modeler liquid of resin composite, which is common in clinical practice.