Influence of N-(2-hydroxyethyl)acrylamide addition in light- and dual-cured resin cements

To develop experimental light-cured (L) and dual-cured (D) resin cements containing N-(2-hydroxyethyl)acrylamide and evaluate the physicochemical and optical properties.

Experimental resin cements were formulated using bisphenol A-glycidyl dimethacrylate (70%) and 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (30%), in the control groups, and, bisphenol A-glycidyl dimethacrylate (70%) and N-(2-hydroxyethyl)acrylamide (30%). Polymerization kinetics were evaluated by differential scanning calorimetry (n = 3), softening in solvent (ΔKHN) evaluated by the difference of Knoop microhardness before (KHN₁) and after (KHN₂) ethanol solution immersion (n = 5), radiopacity in mmAl (n = 5), film thickness (n = 3) and color stability were evaluated. Mechanical properties as ultimate tensile strength (UTS) and micro-shear bond strength (μSBS) were analyzed immediately and after 6 months. Results were analyzed using ANOVA, Tukey's test and Student's t-test (α = 0.050).

The L_HEAA1 group had no statistical difference from the control group regarding polymerization kinetics, KHN₁, ΔKHN and color stability (p > 0.050). In dual-cured cements, the acrylamide groups presented a lower degree of conversion and higher ΔKHN than the D_HEMA0.6 group, which obtained a higher rate of polymerization (p < 0.050). There was no statistical difference in radiopacity and film thickness (p > 0.050). Dual-cured cements with N-(2-hydroxyethyl)acrylamide showed higher color change than methacrylates. Immediate mechanical properties were lower for acrylamide groups (p < 0.050), with higher hydrolytic stability.

The addition of N-(2-hydroxyethyl)acrylamide negatively affected the properties of the dual-cured resin cements. LHEAA1 did not differ in physicochemical and optical properties from the control, with higher hydrolytic stability.

The results of the study indicate that acrylamides increased mechanical properties over time independently of the curing system mode, with more hydrolytic stability. The clinical performance of experimental resin cements should be evaluated.