Self-etching dentin primers containing phenyl-P.

The dentin bonding efficacies of two commercial dentin bonding systems and experimental self-etching dentin primers composed of methacryloxyethyl hydrogen phenyl phosphate (Phenyl-P) and either hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) or glyceryl methacrylate (GM,2,3-dihydroxypropyl methacrylate) were examined. The wall-to-wall polymerization contraction gap width of a commercial light-activated resin composite in a cylindrical dentin cavity and the tensile bond strength to a flat dentin surface were measured. Changes in dentin hardness were determined by Micro Vickers Hardness measurement, and an SEM observation was performed after priming. Formation of a contraction gap was completely prevented by the application of Phenyl-P diluted in HEMA or GM solution combined with a commercial dentin bonding agent, although gap formation was evident in nearly half of the specimens with both commercial dentin bonding systems. The mean tensile bond strengths of the tested groups varied from 16.3 to 20.7 MPa, and there were no significant differences between groups. Based on the measurement of Micro Vickers Hardness and SEM observation after priming, a slight reduction in dentin hardness was observed. However, this reduction in dentin hardness due to self-etching priming did not significantly correlate with either contraction gap width or tensile bond strength.