An introduction to silanes and their clinical applications in dentistry.

PURPOSE This overview presents a description of organofunctional trialkoxysilane coupling agents (silanes), their chemistry, properties, use, and some of the main clinical experiences in dentistry. MATERIALS AND METHODS The main emphasis was on major dental journals that have been reviewed from 1958 up to the latest research news from 2002. A MEDLINE search with the key words "dental silanes" was used. Special silane literature and journals outside dentistry were also cited. RESULTS The main emphasis is on the use of silanes in prosthetic and restorative dentistry. Clinical relevance was based mainly on either short- or long-term tests. The interpretation of various results is not given, mainly because of controversial observations that may be very difficult to explain. Nevertheless, the majority of the clinical results pointed to silanes playing a significant role in the adhesion process. Silane reaction mechanisms were not entirely understood, and there exist several theories for bonding mechanisms for silanes and substrates. CONCLUSION Dental materials offer a continuously challenging forum for silanes, and silanes will play an essential role in material development.