Oligomers with pendant isocyanate groups as adhesives for dentin and other tissues.

Oligomers containing pendant isocyanate groups were synthesized from various vinyl monomers, m-isopropenyldimethylbenzyl isocyanate (TMI), and 2-isocyanatoethyl methacrylate (IEM). The liquids were characterized by their refractive indices, infrared spectra, and percentage of isocynate groups in the molecule. Adhesive properties of these compounds were compared with those of oligomers prepared from methacrylate esters, IEM, and/or TMI which had been synthesized previously. Bond strengths of the sodium salt of ethylenediamine-tetraacetic acid (Na2EDTA adjusted to pH 7.4) and glutaraldehyde-treated dentin cemented to composite resin with dilute solutions of the oligomers and then stored in water were determined by the procedure of Kemper and Kilian (1975). These adhesive compositions, especially formulations synthesized from vinyl monomers, adhered at least as well to dentin as did other dentin bonding agents. Oligomers synthesized with methacrylate esters bonded more strongly to bone than did other hard-tissue adhesives. These oligomeric compositions are also excellent soft-tissue adhesives. For example, they provide a strong bond between a collagenous substrate (such as calfskin) and cured denture-base resin. Provided that their biological properties prove satisfactory, these compositions could find many applications as hard- and soft-tissue adhesives in clinical dentistry.