title: Biocompatibility of dentine-bonding agents. 1. Factors associated with function.
abstract: The paper reviews the literature on the biocompatibility of dentine-bonding agents with respect to their ability to perform their defined function. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) pictures, prepared by the critical-point drying technique, are used to illustrate the various aspects of bonding to dentine such as the nature of dentine, the smear layer and the effects of primers, conditioners and etchants. From the review of the literature it can be concluded that the mechanisms of bonding to dentine are still not fully understood. The more recently introduced materials use mechanical means of adhesion where the dentine is altered by primers or conditioners to expose collagen fibres and a hybrid zone is created by the penetration of unfilled resins into this fibrous network. The irritant effects of a bonding agent on pulpal tissue may be caused by bacterial ingrowth due to initial poor bonding or a breakdown of the bond in addition to any inherent toxicity of the constituents of the bonding agent.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Santini
mesh_terms: D001641:Bicuspid / Q000187:drug effects / Q000648:ultrastructure; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001840:Dental Bonding; D003793:Dental Restoration, Permanent / Q000379:methods; D003804:Dentin / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D017220:Dentin-Bonding Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D016369:Smear Layer
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D017220:Dentin-Bonding Agents