2,3-Epithiopropyl methacrylate as functionalized monomer in a dental adhesive

Objectives The aim of this study was to investigate new dentin bonding agents formulated with 2,3-epithiopropyl methacrylate (ETMA) comonomer blends. Methods Synthesis and characterization of ETMA were performed. Adhesive resins with three different ETMA concentrations (0.1, 1 and 10 wt.%) were prepared. To comparison a blend with only Bis-GMA/HEMA and with 1% of GMA were used as controls. FTIR analysis was used to verify the degree of conversion. Blend copolymerization was investigated by 1H NMR spectroscopy analysis. To investigate immediate properties of experimental adhesives, microtensile bond strength to human dentin and SEM fractographic analysis were studied. Results ETMA was synthesized with 90% yield through a one step synthetic route. Degree of conversion for the experimental and control resins was not significantly different. Different monomers showed copolymerization among them, not presenting traces of ETMA release in 0.1 and 1% groups. Bonding agents containing ETMA had statistically higher microtensile bond strength values than the no ETMA adhesive (p < 0.05). Conclusions Dental adhesive resin–ETMA mixtures produced increased bond strengths without harming the other properties investigated.