Transition metal salt solutions and anaerobic adhesives in dental bonding

Abstract

Objectives: The objectives of this experiment were twofold. Firstly to determine whether an anaerobic adhesive could be used to bond steel attachments to etched human enamel, following treatment of this surface with various concentrations of copper (II) sulphate solution. Secondly, to determine the effect of 0.05 M solutions of other transition metal sulphates and chlorides on the same bonding process. Methods: Stainless steel attachments were bonded to human enamel using an anaerobic adhesive. In each case the enamel, which had been ground flat, was etched with 37% o-phosphoric acid and then treated with copper (II) sulphate solution prior to bonding. After bench curing for one hour, the specimens were shear tested to failure, and the load at debond recorded in each case. The effect of varying the concentration of copper (II) sulphate solution was determined. Following determination of the optimal copper (II) sulphate concentration, the experiment was repeated using the same concentration of various other transition metal sulphates and chlorides. Results: The results were analysed using mean force to debond (N) and 95% confidence intervals. Kaplan–Meier survival probabilities and log-rank tests were also performed. Conclusions: Under the conditions of this experiment the optimal concentration of copper (II) sulphate solution was found to be 0.05 M. Of the various transition metal sulphates and chlorides under test, the sulphates appeared to provide a more active surface for the polymerisation of the anaerobic adhesive than the chlorides. Of the sulphate solutions, the most effective was that of copper. Significance: Anaerobic adhesives show promise as dental bonding agents capable of bonding metal attachments to enamel following enamel pretreatment with 0.05 M copper (II) sulphate solution.