Methacrylic monomer derived from cardanol incorporated in dental adhesive as a polymerizable collagen crosslinker

The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence on MMP inhibition, dentin adhesion and physicochemical properties of an adhesive system incorporated with polymerizable collagen crosslinker monomer derived from cardanol.

The intermediary cardanol epoxy (CNE) was synthesized through cardanol epoxidation, followed by synthesis of cardanol methacrylate through methacrylic acid solvent-free esterification. Zymographic analysis was performed to evaluate the substances' ability to inhibit gelatinolytic enzymes. Collagen crosslinkers were added into adhesives systems according to the following groups: Ybond Universal® (Control), Ybond® + 2 % proanthocyanidin (PAC), Ybond® + 2 % unsaturated cardanol (Cardanol) and Ybond® + 2 % cardanol methacrylate (CNMA). Degree of conversion (DC) of the adhesives was assessed by FT-IR. Disk-shaped specimens were prepared for water sorption (WS) and solubility (SL) tests. Human third molars were sectioned to expose medium dentin and restored according to the different adhesives used (n = 5). Then, the specimens were cut into 1 mm² sticks to evaluate, after 24 h and 6-month aging, microtensile bond strength (µTBS) and nanoleakage by scanning electron microscopy. Data were analysed with ANOVA and Tukey's post-test (α = 0.05).

CNMA and PAC completely inhibited all forms of gelatinolytic enzymes. Cardanol achieved a significantly lowest DC, while the other groups did not differ from each other (p > 0.05). PAC achieved significantly higher water sorption, while CNMA solubility was significantly lower when compared to the other adhesives (p < 0.05). PAC provided a statistically higher 24 h and 6-month aging bond strength. Intermediary similar µTBS were presented by control and CNMA (p = 0.108). All adhesives applied attained significantly reduced bond strength after aging (p < 0.05). Interfaces created using CNMA were almost devoid of silver deposits initially, however all groups showed large amounts of silver deposits on resin-dentin interface subjected to water aging.

Although CNMA was effective in inhibiting gelatinolytic enzymes, when incorporated into a universal adhesive it could not promote less degradation of the adhesive interface after water aging. Since it is a hydrophobic monomer, CNMA did not interact well with dentin collagen, however it reduced the solubility of the adhesive system besides not interfering in its polymerization.