Effects of Alternative Solvents in Experimental Enamel Infiltrants on Bond Strength and Selected Properties

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate different concentrations of solvents (tetrahydrofuran (THF) and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and monomers on the degree of conversion, microtensile bond strength, and mechanical properties of experimental resin infiltrants. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Resin infiltrants were formulated and divided into eleven groups: (1) Icon, (2) 75% TEGDMA (T) +25% UDMA (U), (3) T +25% BIS-EMA (B), (4) T + U +0.5%DMSO, (5) T + U +5% DMSO, (6) T + U +0.5% THF, (7) T + U +5% THF, (8) T + B +0.5% DMSO, (9) T + B +5% DMSO, (10) T + B +0.5% THF, and (11) T + B +5% THF. One hundred and ten bovine mandibular incisors were sectioned, treated, and destined to the degree of conversion, tensile cohesive strength, microtensile bond strength, flexural strength, and elastic modulus. Data were submitted to one-way ANOVA and Tukey's test (α = 0.05). RESULTS: The degree of conversion was lowest for T + B +5%THF (41.9%) and highest for T + U +5%THF (62.1%). In flexural strength and E-modulus, the T + B (96.5 MPa and 0.49 GPa) obtained the highest values and the lowest for T + U +5% DMSO (18.5 MPa and 9.7 GPa). Icon showed the highest bond strength (19.3 MPa) and cohesive strength (62.2 MPa), while T + U +5%DMSO (9.7 MPa) and T + B +5% DMSO (9.8 MPa) the lowest values and T + B +0.5% DMSO (12.3 MPa) the lowest cohesive strength. CONCLUSIONS: The addition of lower concentrations of DMSO or THF (0.5%) did not impair bond strength or significantly affect monomer conversion, but reduced the mechanical properties of resin infiltration.