Development of MDP-based one-step self-etch adhesive--effect of additional 4-META on bonding performance.

We designed three experimental 10-methacryloyloxydecyl dihydrogen phosphate (MDP)-based one-step (EX) adhesives consisting of MDP, urethane dimethacrylate, and triethylene glycol dimethacrylate adhesives with different water contents (98.4, 196.8, and 294.4 mg/g), and 4-methacryloyloxyethyl trimellitic anhydride (4-META) or 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA)-containing onestep adhesive. The effect of the amount of MDP-calcium (MDP-Ca) salt produced through demineralization of enamel and dentin on the bonding performance was examined. The efficacy of 4-META and HEMA was then discussed. When the amount of water in EX adhesive was increased, the production amount of MDP-Ca salt of enamel increased, but not the dentin. The enamel bond strength slightly increased with increasing the production amount of MDP-Ca salt, in contrast to the dentin. However, addition of 4-META in the EX adhesive (water content=98.4 mg/g) increased both bond strengths, although the production amounts of MDP-Ca salt significantly decreased. The 4-META enhances both bond strengths more effectively than the HEMA.