Oligomers with pendant isocyanate groups as tissue adhesives: II. Adhesion to bone and other tissues

The adhesive properties of a series of oligomers prepared from 2-isocyanatoethyl methacrylates (IEM) and/or m-isopropenyl-alpha,alpha-dimethylbenzyl isocyanate (TMI) and various acrylates or methacrylates were studied. The bond strength of bone, dentin, or soft tissue specimens joined with these oligomers respectively to bone, dental composite restorative, or denture base resin were determined by tensile adhesion or shear tests. These oligomers are more effective in forming stronger bonds to bone than are other tissue adhesives. Fracture occurs cohesively, usually within the bone. Thermocycling in water for 1 week between 5 degrees C and 55 degrees C did not decrease adhesion indicating that exposure to water or thermal shock produced no deterioration of the bond. Tensile adhesion of bovine or human dentin joined to composite restorative resin by means of the oligomers is similar to that of the best dental bonding agents such as Gluma (glutaraldehyde and 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) or ferric oxalate + N-phenylglycine + dimethylacryloxyethyl-pyromellitate. These oligomers also strongly bond soft tissues and calfskin and to acrylic resins and composites.