Self-Etch Adhesive Systems: A Literature Review

Abstract

This paper presents the state of the art of self-etch adhesive systems. Four topics are shown in this review and included: the historic of this category of bonding agents, bonding mechanism, characteristics/properties and the formation of acid-base resistant zone at enamel/dentin-adhesive interfaces. Also, advantages regarding etch-and-rinse systems and classifications of self-etch adhesive systems according to the number of steps and acidity are addressed. Finally, issues like the potential durability and clinical importance are discussed. Self-etch adhesive systems are promising materials because they are easy to use, bond chemically to tooth structure and maintain the dentin hydroxyapatite, which is important for the durability of the bonding.

Microtensile Bond Strength of Adhesive Systems in Different Dentin Regions on a Class II Cavity Configuration

“…As part of this behavior, self-etching hydrophilic commercial blends are formulated to change the smear layer with acidic monomers rather than remove it, creating a permeable membrane by smear layer and smear plugs (20,8). This contributed to µTBS results in this study, as there were no statistically significant differences between each other in central and proximal dentin, and still presented higher µTBS values compared to etch-and-rinse adhesives systems in proximal dentin.…”

“…The second is to not exceed the necessary amount of water, avoiding the dilution of some adhesive monomers and phase separation, leading to an improper functionality (14,19). In this case, the self-etching technique has the advantage of a more adaptable approach depending of the intrinsic subtract re-moisture (8,13,20).…”

“…The etch-and-rinse technique adhesive systems rely on the removal of the smear layer and exposure of the collagen matrix by acid etching, followed by the application of a primer solution and a bond adhesive or a prime-bonding agent, which combines primer and adhesive resin into one single solution (7). The second approach remains on the use of self-etching primers, in which acid and primer solutions are present in two different bottles or combined in a single one (8). This has its bonding mechanism based upon the simultaneous etching, priming and bonding to the smearcovered dental tissue, reducing the number of steps for the adhesive procedure, shortening the application time and leading to a lower sensitivity technique (8).…”

“…The second approach remains on the use of self-etching primers, in which acid and primer solutions are present in two different bottles or combined in a single one (8). This has its bonding mechanism based upon the simultaneous etching, priming and bonding to the smearcovered dental tissue, reducing the number of steps for the adhesive procedure, shortening the application time and leading to a lower sensitivity technique (8).…”

Dentin bonding performance and interface observation of an MMA-based restorative material

“…The self-etching primer, TP, contains 4-META in the solution. 4-META is expected to play important roles in dentin bonding, such as demineralizing of the smear layer, promotion of monomer penetration into dentin and possibly chemical bonding to dentin minerals 28) . Yoshida et al 29) reported chemical bonding strength of several acidic monomers to hydroxyapatite (HAp).…”