Gelatinolytic activity in dentin upon adhesive treatment

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Dental Materials
• Biochemistry

Background:

• Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), particularly gelatinases, play a role in dentin degradation.
• Understanding the interaction between dental adhesives and host-derived MMPs is crucial for long-term restoration success.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effect of dental adhesive application on the activation of host-derived gelatinases.
• To assess the impact of adhesives on MMP-2/9 activity and micro-tensile bond strength (μTBS).

Main Methods:

• Gelatin zymography and in-situ zymography were used to detect gelatinase activity.
• Fluorogenic DQ-gelatin assay and micro-tensile bond strength (μTBS) testing were employed.
• Statistical analyses included two-way linear mixed effects models (LMEM) and two-way ANOVA.

Main Results:

• Gelatin zymography detected gelatinases in etched dentin, but not with adhesive application.
• In-situ zymography and DQ-gelatin assays indicated no significant MMP activation by the adhesives.
• Adhesives decreased MMP-2/9 activity in solution, with thermal effects from light-curing contributing to deactivation.
• High MMP-9 concentrations did not significantly affect μTBS.

Conclusions:

• The investigated gold-standard dental adhesives do not activate dentinal gelatinases.
• These adhesives appear to inhibit MMP-2/9 release and activation.
• Adhesive application does not negatively impact bond strength in the presence of MMPs.