Tantalum oxide as filler for dental adhesive resin.

The purpose of this study was to formulate and evaluate an adhesive resin with tantalum oxide. Ta2O5 was evaluated by scanning electron microscopy and laser diffraction. The adhesive was formulated with methacrylate monomers and photoinitiators. Ta2O5 was added into the adhesive at 1, 2, 5 and 10 wt%. One group remained without filler (control group). Ta2O5 distribution, radiopacity (n=5), degree of conversion (DC) (n=3), softening in solvent (n=5) and ultimate tensile strength (UTS) (n=10) were evaluated. Data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA and Tukey's test (α=0.05). Spherical nanometric Ta2O5 was arranged in 3.35 µm particles. The groups over 5 wt% presented higher radiopacity (p<0.05). The DC ranged from 61.78 (±1.19)% to 67.35 (±1.40)%, with statistical difference from control group over 5 wt% addition (p<0.05). There was no difference in softening in solvent (p>0.05) and UTS (p>0.05). Tantalum oxide is a promising alternative for adhesive formulation and it could be further tested for biomimetic remineralization.