From dry bonding to water-wet bonding to ethanol-wet bonding. A review of the interactions between dentin matrix and solvated resins using a macromodel of the hybrid layer.

PURPOSE: To review the use of a new resin-dentin bonding model called the macro-hybrid layer, to quantify resin uptake and matrix shrinkage during resin infiltration and solvent evaporation. A secondary purpose was to introduce the concept of ethanol-wet bonding where water-saturated acid-etched dentin is exchanged with ethanol to create ethanol-saturated dentin. Adhesive monomers seem to penetrate ethanol-saturated dentin more thoroughly than water-saturated dentin.