Improved photochemical bonding of composites to dentin using 4-methacryloxyethyl trimellitate anhydride

The main objective was to evaluate the use of 4-methacryloxyethyl trimellitate anhydride (4-META) to improve bonding of composite materials to dentin. Bowen's resin, containing camphoroquinone, was polymerized by exposure to visible light. In composites, made with a silanated silicate, inclusion of 4-META (3%) had little effect in increasing mechanical strength or adhesion to bovine teeth. However, direct application of 4-META via acetone solution was found to be an effective way of increasing tensile adhesive strength; by 240% to dentin (to 7.2 MPa) and by 160% to enamel (to 10.8 MPa). Applying the experience mentioned above, 4-META was used to bond a proprietary photocuring microfilled composite material to Class V cavities in freshly extracted human teeth. After thermal cycling between water baths held at 5 degrees C and 60 degrees C, all dentin restorations without 4-META failed, as judged by marginal leakage of a dyestuff. In contrast, using 4-META there was no leakage in 9 out of 10 cases. In restorations involving enamel, 4-META failed to prevent marginal leakage at the enamel margins but did prevent penetration along the dentin/composite interface. It is concluded that 4-META shows great promise for preventing marginal leakage at dentin/composite interfaces.