Dual-Functionality Evaluation of a Novel Collagen Crosslinking Resin

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Dental Materials Science
• Polymer Chemistry

Background:

• Current dental adhesives rely on mechanical interlocking for dentin bonding.
• Enhanced chemical interaction between collagen and resin could improve bond durability.
• Grapeseed extract (GSE) possesses collagen crosslinking properties.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize a novel light-curable collagen crosslinker, methacrylate (MA) functionalized GSE (MAGSE).
• To evaluate MAGSE's efficacy in crosslinking dentin collagen in a clinically relevant setting.
• To assess MAGSE's role as a resin monomer in light-cure adhesive formulations.

Main Methods:

• MAGSE synthesized by reacting GSE with methacryloyl chloride, characterized by NMR and FTIR.
• Dentin films demineralized and treated with MAGSE; collagen crosslinking assessed by FTIR, MALDI-TOF, SEM, and TEM.
• MAGSE incorporated into an experimental adhesive; polymerization kinetics monitored by FTIR-ATR.

Main Results:

• MAGSE effectively crosslinked dentin collagen, providing significant resistance to collagenase degradation (1.6% digestion vs. 100.9% for untreated).
• MAGSE demonstrated efficient collagen crosslinking within 30 seconds, rendering dentin collagen nearly inert to digestion.
• Unlike GSE, MAGSE accelerated polymerization of the experimental adhesive, exhibiting resin monomer characteristics.

Conclusions:

• A novel, light-curable collagen crosslinking resin (MAGSE) was successfully synthesized.
• MAGSE combines the collagen crosslinking ability of GSE with the polymerizable function of MA.
• Incorporating MAGSE into dental adhesives offers a promising strategy to enhance the durability of dentin bonding in composite restorations.