Influence of water on bonding of various methacrylates to dentin treated with 10% citric acid-3% ferric chloride solution.

The bond strength of resins (MMA-TBB resin system), containing 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (2-HEMA), 3-methacryloyloxypropionic acid (3MPA), 2-phenylethyl methacrylate (Py1EM) and 2-(1-naphthyl) ethyl methacrylate (NEM), to dentin treated with a solution of 10% citric acid and 3% ferric chloride was measured after being immersed in water at 37 degree C for a long period of time to investigate the influence of water on bonding, and the relationship between the monomer structure and the decrease in bond strength in water. The bond strength of the resins did not change with the time spent immersed in water up to 6 months, but decreased with any further increase in time. The decrease in bond strength of all the resins tested was caused by either the degeneration and swelling of collagen or a difference in the degradation of the resin inside and outside the acid-proof dentin layer. There was no significant relationship between the decrease in bond strength in water and the monomer structure.