Assessment of bond strength and bioactivity on a prototype resin-based luting agent containing a novel bioactive monomer

A prototype luting agent based on a resin composite containing a novel bioactive monomer (a calcium salt of 4-methacryloyloxyethyl trimellitate; CMET) was developed, and its shear bond strength to tooth materials (dentin and enamel) and bioactivity was compared with those of commercially available resin-based luting systems. Extracted bovine incisors were embedded in a mold with a potting material. The labial bonding surface of the embedded tooth was wet-ground using #400 silicon carbide abrasive paper until sufficient superficial enamel or dentin was exposed. The bonding and luting agents assessed included our experimental bonding agent and luting agent, Prime&Bond Universal, Calibra Ceram, Multilink Primer A + B, Multilink Automix, Panavia V5 Tooth Primer, Panavia V5, RelyX Universal Resin Cement, SA Luting Multi, and SpeedCem Plus. The experimental luting agent was a novel material containing CMET. Shear-bond-strength testing was performed at 0 and 5000 thermocycles. To evaluate the in vitro bioactivity, specimens were immersed in 22 mL of simulated body fluid (SBF) at 37 °C for 5 days. Scanning electron microscopy combined with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy was used to examine the chemical composition of the specimen surfaces after immersion in the SBF. In conclusion, the shear bond strength to dentin and enamel, and durability of the novel bonding and luting agents were similar to those of commercially available resin-based luting systems. Furthermore, the novel luting agent had bioactive potential.