Comparison of the elastic modulus among three dentin adhesives before and after thermocycling

Recently tooth colored composite restorative materials are substituting enamel and dentin not only for the esthetic aspects but also mechanical properties, however, long-term serviceability is not yet guaranteed. Current dentin adhesives favored user-friendliness and have been simplified into reduced-step systems. The inclusion of relatively high concentrations of acidic monomers and water, to permit ionization of those monomers and solution of calcium and phosphate, makes these polymers very hydrophilic. This hydrophilic nature of the adhesives rendered the resultant layer absorbing water over time, thereby decreasing stiffness. During the service in the oral environment, water sorption within the adhesive interface may adversely affect stress distribution across the bonded interface and provide a weak link across the bonded complex. A recent study correlated water sorption and the elastic modulus * Corresponding Author: Ho Hyun Son