Historical Evolution of Dentin Bonding Agents A CL
Historical Evolution of Dentin Bonding Agents A CL
Historical Evolution of Dentin Bonding Agents A CL
ABSTRACT: The development of dentin bonding agents has revolutionized the field of esthetic and restorative dentistry.
Buonocore’s discovery on enamel acid-etching followed by description of hybrid layer by Nakabayashi et al are some of the major
breakthroughs which are responsible for changing paradigms in adhesive dentistry.On the basis of mode of use,dental adhesives
can be divided in generations. Currently, challenges lie in front of the researchers to develop products that not only bind to the
tooth but also contain antibacterial, remineralizing and enzymatic-inhibitory properties that can increase the longevity of the
adhesive procedures.This paper provides an insight into the historical evolution of dentin bonding agents.
INTRODUCTION
Outlook towards cavity preparation has changed drastically with the advent of adhesive materials since it is no longer necessary
to prepare the cavity in order to provide mechanical retention through features such as dovetails, grooves, undercuts to retain
the restorative material. Adhesive dentistry has also resulted in the conservation of large quantities of sound tooth structure.
Bowen in his ground-breaking research developed the BisGMA (bisphenol glycidyl methacrylate),a monomer which is used in most
modern composite resin materials [7].In his efforts to effectively bond this compound to the tooth,in the year 1965,he also
developed a surface active comonomer named NPG-GMA(N-phenylglycine-glycidyl methacrylate). He concluded that the
mechanism by which the NPG-GMA coupling agent improves bonding between a methacrylate resin and hard tooth tissues may
be primarily by interaction with the mineral phase rather than with the organic phase of the tooth structures [8]. This formed the
basis of development of NPGGMA origin dentin bonding agents,also known as the first generation adhesives. The first
commercially available product was Cervident (SS White).
In the 1970s, identification of smear layer was made possible using the scanning electron microscope (SEM) and was first reported
by Eick et al [9]. The second generation adhesives evolved around this time.The first and second generation adhesives were
applied over the smear layer which resulted in low bond strengths [10].Commercial products from secondgeneration bonding
agents include Clearfil and Prisma Universal Bond.
The researchers soon realized that the smear layer had to be removed or modified/ in order to let the adhesives bond with dentin
[11] which led to the advent to the third-generation adhesives. Scotchbond 2 (3M Dental) was one of the first bonding agents in
this generation.
Developed in the 1980s-1990s, the fourth generation bonding agents were the first ones aiming to completely eliminate the
smear layer. They make use of the “Total-Etch” technique, which was based on a Japanese research originally conducted by
Fusayama et al [12].
During the early 1990s, the complexity of use of the preceding generation led the manufactures to develop the fifth generation.
It is 2-step etch and rinse adhesives that combined the primer and bonding agent in “one-bottle”. The commercial products of this
generation bonding systems include One-Coat Bond (Coltene) and Prime and bond (Dentsply) [13].
In the late 1990s, sixth generation systems were developed.They are 2-step self-etch adhesives that provide a self-etch primer,
combining the etchant with a primer, followed by the application of an adhesive resin.Commercial systems available are Adper
Prompt L – Pop (3M ESPE) and Xeno III (Dentsply) [13].
During the years 1999-2005, seventh generation adhesives or 1-step self-etch adhesives or “all-in-one” adhesives were
developed.They combined all three etching, priming and bonding functions in just one bottle.Commercial materials available are
ibond (Heraeuskulzer), Xeno IV (Dentsply) and One coat 7 universal (Coltene) [13].
CONCLUSION
In the hindsight,the state and simplification of adhesive bonding technology that has been achieved today,can be attributed to
the persistent efforts made by various researchers in the past.After extensive experiments and research, a paradigm shift has
been seen in adhesive dentistry. The future perspectives include adhesive systems that not only bond effectively to enamel and/or
dentin but also present additional features such as remineralizing properties,antibacterial effects and enzymatic inhibition.Though
research has been going on in this arena but further research is needed to develop products that deliver better results in clinical
conditions.
The historical perspective of evolution of bonding agents as per their development has been illustrated in Figure 2 –
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