Abstract:
The present application relates to a polymerizable dental primer/adhesive system comprising a primer component having a relatively hydrophilic monomer component in an amount that renders the system relatively hydrophilic before polymerization of the system and capable of penetrating a prepared dental surface such as etched tooth dentin or enamel, and a multi-functional cross-linking agent in an amount that renders the system relatively hydrophobic after polymerization. A polymerizable hydrophobic monomer component is also included in the primer. The inclusion of said hydrophobic polymerizable monomer and said multi-functional cross-linking agent improves the long term stability or durability of the polymerized primer system to the dental restoration and to the tooth, dentin, enamel and other dental surfaces. An additional hydrophobic resin can also be employed with the primer adhesive system. The dental primer adhesive system exhibits greater stability and durability over time when compared to other dental adhesive systems.

Description:
[0001]    The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/021,808, filed Jan. 29, 2008, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/898,014 filed Jan. 29, 2007, all of which are incorporated by reference herein. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF RELATED TECHNOLOGY 
       [0002]    Advances in dental restorative techniques include the use of various materials such as composite resins to effect tooth filling or other restorative processes. Other advances include the use of dental components such as thin wire braces and other types of dental components made of metal, ceramics, resins or other bio-compatible substances. Depending on the clinical application, such restoratives and components may be applied directly to the tooth dentin and/or enamel, or may be applied to other bio-compatible substrates such as metals, ceramics, resins, amalgams, or other restorative materials which may already exist in the patient and/or are to be added as part of the clinical treatment. 
         [0003]    Common to the foregoing materials and techniques is the need for bonding systems to enhance the bonding of the restorative or other dental component to the chosen dental substrate. Ideally, such enhancement would provide bond strengths which approach the strength of the underlying substrates. In addition, ideal bonding systems would also be simple for the dental professional to use in a manner which requires a minimum of time for the patient in the chair. 
         [0004]    Several bonding systems and techniques have been reported in the literature which have achieved some, but not all of the above-stated goals. Such bonding systems can be divided into three general categories, multiple-component primer systems, two component primer systems, and single-component primer systems. 
         [0005]    A. Multiple Component Bonding Systems 
         [0006]    A general discussion of multiple-component bonding systems and their predecessors is set out in Suh, “All-Bond—Fourth Generation Dentin Bonding System,” J. Esthetic Dentistry, Vol. 3, No. 4, pp. 139-147 (July-August, 1991) and in Bowen U.S. Pat. No. 5,270,351 at Col. 1, lines 29-Col. 2, line 36 and Col. 2, lines 54-64, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference. Briefly summarized, the early generation bonding systems generally disclosed at Col. 1 and 2 of the &#39;351 patent began with simple pretreatment of the dental substrate with mordants and/or acidic solutions before application of the dental restorative or component. Such systems, while simple to use, did not provide high bond strengths on substrates such as tooth dentin. 
         [0007]    Those low bond strengths led to the development of the multiple-component bonding systems discussed at Col. 2 of the &#39;351 patent and discussed in detail in the J. Esthetic Dentistry article at pp. 139-147. Such systems generally employed the older generation system&#39;s first step of pretreatment of tooth dentin or enamel with acidic solutions to decalcify and remove dentin smear layer and to etch tooth enamel (a technique often referred to as “total etch” process, as both dentin and enamel may be etched using a low pH solution). The multi-component systems then employed two or more separate “primer” or “adhesive enhancing” compounds to further enhance bonding between the substrate and the dental restorative. However, the primers in such systems must either (1) be applied separately and sequentially to the dental substrate, or (2) must be mixed together by the dental professional in the office immediately before use on the patient to prevent premature polymerization of the components. 
         [0008]    The first type of such multiple-component primer systems is exemplified in Bowen U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,514,527, 4,551,550, 4,558,756 and 4,659,751, and U.S. Pat. No. 4,964,911 Ivson et al., (and related Ibsen et al. U.S. patents re 34937) discussed at Col. 2 of the &#39;351 patent. Those earlier patents disclose, inter alia, two or three component primer systems employing the separate steps of treating the dental substrate with (1) an acidic acid solution of inorganic acids, polycarboxylic acids and metal salts of such acids capable of changing valence states, (2) applying a first primer compound comprising N-arylglycine and derivatives such as NTG-GMA (the adduct of N(p-tolyl)glycine and glycidyl methacrylate), NPG (N-phenylglycine), and other amino acids and metal salts thereof to the substrate, followed by (3) applying a second polymerizable adhesive bonding monomer to the substrate comprising PMDM, BDTA-HEMA, 4-META, or other polymerizable acidic monomers disclosed therein and having groups or moieties that do not interfere with polymerization. Although some of those systems report achieving moderate bond strengths for bonding to substrates such as tooth dentin, from about 1600 to about 2500 p.s.i (11-17 Mega Pascals (1 MPa=145 p.s.i.)), such multi-component/multi-step methods are necessarily complicated for the dental professional and time-consuming for the patient. 
         [0009]    B. Two-Component Primer Systems 
         [0010]    As an alternative to multiple-component primer systems, Bowen and others, including applicant&#39;s assignee, Bisco, Inc., have reported development of two-component primer systems. See e.g., Bowen U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,320,886 and 5,270,351, Suh et al. article cited above and U.S. Pat. No. 5,348,988 and Bunker U.S. Pat. No. 4,544,467. Such systems involve steps whereby the dental professional admixes the two primer components immediately prior to application of the mixture to the dental substrate. Immediate application is required in such systems because the primer composition begins to polymerize upon mixing due to the chemical nature of the primer molecules, at least one of which contains ethylenically unsaturated (vinyl) groups whose polymerization is initiated by the tertiary amine group present on the other primer component of the system. The two-component primer bonding systems typically require an acid-etch step to provide a secure bond between the dentin and/or enamel and the primer, resulting in the so-called “hybrid layer” wherein the dentin/enamel and primer interface with one another. 
         [0011]    A different type of a two-component primer bonding system is disclosed in Waknine U.S. Pat. No. 5,276,068. That two-component system comprises a polymerization initiator and a polymerizable compound which are packaged separately. The first step in that system requires application of polymerization initiator alone to the dental substrate. In a second step, the polymerizable compound is applied to the substrate. Polymerization begins when the polymerizable compound comes into contact with the initiator on the substrate surface. 
         [0012]    Some of the aforesaid multiple-component primer systems were reported as providing only moderate dentin adhesive bonding strengths. For example, the data included in the Bowen &#39;351 and &#39;886 patents show dentin adhesive bond strengths of from about 10 to about 15 MPa. Moreover, the higher bond strengths reported in the &#39;351 patent were achieved only after an additional step and component, comprising applying an unfilled adhesive resin monomer to the primed substrate before application of the dental restorative composite material, was added to the restorative process. (See &#39;351 patent, Example 1.) The Waknine &#39;068 patent also reports relatively low bond strengths in the 10 MPa range and also used an additional step of application of a commercial bonding resin (see Examples 22-23.) Bunker et al. reported slightly lower dentin shear bond strengths of between about 5 MPa and 8 MPa (49.3 to 86.5 kg/cm 2 ). 
         [0013]    Surprisingly, Suh et al.&#39;s two-component primer system utilizing polymerizable acidic monomer biphenyl dimethacrylate (BPDM) achieved bond strengths of between 22 and 27 MPa for dentin bonding, which approaches or equals the point of cohesive failure of tooth dentin. High bond strengths of around 23-26 MPa were also achieved with that two component priming system for bonding to tooth enamel. (See, e.g., J. Esthetic Dentistry article, Hydrophilic Primer Adhesive System and Optional Hydrophobic Resin). 
         [0014]    C. Single Component Primer Systems 
         [0015]    Additionally, there have been reported certain “one-component” or “single step” dental bonding systems. See, for example, Blackwell et at. U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,657,941 and 4,816,495 and Huang et at. U.S. Pat. No. 4,966,934 all of which are assigned to Dentsply Research and Development Corporation (hereinafter also collectively referred to as the Dentsply patents) and Bunker U.S. Pat. No. 5,304,585. 
         [0016]    The Bunker et al. system is reported as involving polymerizable phosphoric acid ester adhesives. Such compositions are generally disclosed therein as capable of being packaged with polymerization initiators in the presence of polymerization inhibitors and other compounds in one package. (See &#39;585 patent, col. 10, line 31 to col. 11, line 8.) However, such one-component packaging is not exemplified in the &#39;585 patent. Instead, a two-component was tested in Example 1 of that patent, involving admixing of the polymerization initiator sodium benzenesulfinate first component with the phosphorous ester monomer second component immediately before application to the tooth substrate. Bunker et al. also reported relatively low bond strength to dentin of around 9 MPa. (See &#39;585 patent, col. 12, lines 16-42.) 
         [0017]    The Dentsply patents also disclose alleged one-component dentin and enamel bonding primer and adhesive systems. Such systems are reported as based inter alia on phosphorous-containing adhesion promoter compounds. However, the phosphorous-based bonding systems disclosed in the examples of &#39;941 and &#39;495 patents all gave relatively low bond strengths of 8.39 MPa or less. 
         [0018]    The dipentaerythritol pentaacrylate phosphoric acid ester-based (PENTA) bonding systems disclosed in the &#39;934 patent were reported as generating higher dentin bond strengths in the range of 10-27 MPa. (See &#39;934 patent Example 10.) However, also reported therein is data showing that the higher reported bond strength systems were not stable over time, with the 27 MPa strength system reported as decreasing to around 10 MPa or less after 1-2 weeks storage of the system at elevated temperatures. (See &#39;934 patent, Table VIII.) Moreover, the higher bond strengths reported in the &#39;934 patent were in actuality two-component systems in which a second commercial, unfilled adhesive bonding resin component was used after application of the phosphorous primer composition. (See Example 4 and Example 10 at Col. 17, line 60-Col. 18, line 53 and Tables IX and X.) The “most promising” PENTA-based bonding systems disclosed in the &#39;934 patent were further tested with that additional second adhesive component and step which were reported to provide bonding strengths from about 17 to 20 MPa. (See Table X.) In all three Dentsply patents, the primer curing system was reported as light-curing done after either application of the composite resin material and/or after application of a separate adhesive resin. (See Example 4 of &#39;941,495 and 934 patents.) 
         [0019]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,525,256 discloses certain one component photopolymerizable resins containing certain tertiary amine accelerators. However, such compositions are composite (filled) resins, and not dental primer or adhesive compositions. (See &#39;256 patent, Examples 1-3.) 
         [0020]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,295,824 discloses inter alia plastic orthodontic devices with a “shelf-stable” monomeric adhesive layer pre-coated and “solvated” into the plastic device. The bond strengths reported therein are about 10-20 kg, which if meant to be kg/cm 2 , translate to rather low levels of around 2-4 MPa. 
         [0021]    PCT application publication No. WO/93/02630 discloses an adhesive-coated orthodontic bracket. The bracket&#39;s adhesive layer comprises ethoxylated diglycidyimethacrylate of Bisphenol A (Bis-GMA), Bis-GMA and/or other monomers and photo-initiator catalysts and inhibitors. The bond strength of such pre-coated brackets were reported to be in the range of 54-104 kg/cm 2  (about 5-10 MPa). 
         [0022]    D. Bond Strength and Etching Systems 
         [0023]    In general, the three step process of etching/rinsing, applying a primer(s), followed by an adhesive, and thereafter followed by a restorative resin has been reported in the literature as the “gold standard” of achieving high bond stability and durability in a dental restoration bonded to dentin. De Munck et al., J. Dent. Res. 84(2):118-124 (2005). However, three step process restorations are reported to be more labor intensive and technique sensitive, and the technique used can significantly influence the resultant bond strength. Id. Nonetheless, reported laboratory results show that three step etch and rinse systems provide in an average initial dentin microtensile bond strength (μTBS) that is higher than that reported for acid etched and self-etched two-step adhesive systems. Id. Self-etched single component systems were reported to have the lowest initial microtensile bond strengths. Id. 
         [0024]    Commercially available single-component self-etching bonding systems are reported as being promoted for use primarily for ease of use and low technique sensitivity, as well as good performance in class V clinical trials. Inoue et al.; J. Dent. Res 84(12):1160-1164 (2005). However, aside from the relatively low initial dentin and enamel bond strength, self-etch single-component systems employing functional acidic methacrylate monomers with water that are stored together in a single bottle have been reported to degrade via hydrolysis during storage. Nishiyama et al., J. Dent. Res. 85(5):422-426 (2006) (describing such simplified self-etch adhesives as having “poor shelf lives”). Further, such degradation has been reported to occur as early as one month from the date of manufacture when kept at 25° C. Id. 
         [0025]    E. Bond Strength and Hydrophilicity 
         [0026]    Apart from initial bond strength, recent studies have tested the bond strength of various resins when exposed to conditions approximating those experienced in vivo over time. In particular, it has been reported that resins formed from relatively hydrophilic monomers results in a substantially weaker bond strength after cured, largely due to hydrolysis, elution, and the formation of water trees within the hybrid layer. Yiu CK, Biomaterials (25):5789-5796 (2004). Those, studies report that the greatest absorption of water in hydrophilic compounds occurs within the first day of exposure to water. Id. In addition, hydrophilic acidic resins were reported to show the greatest decrease in bonding strength within the first month of exposure to water. Id. Recent studies suggest that some commercial single-step dental bonding systems are hydrophilic and have their greatest water-absorption during the first few weeks of storage in water. Malacarne J, Dent. Mater. (22): 973-980 (2006). 
         [0027]    Therefore, an improved two or three-step restoration system showing higher initial bond strength and improved bond stability and durability over time would be appreciated by those in the art. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION 
       [0028]    According to the present invention, an improved dental adhesive and restoration system is disclosed. In particular, it has been found that use of a primer A and B system having a polymerizable component that comprises a monomer component relatively hydrophilic before polymerization of the system and is relatively hydrophobic after polymerization of the system, when used alone or in association with an additional hydrophobic resin, creates strong initial bonding with improved long term stability and durability. 
         [0029]    More specifically, it has been found that inclusion in one of the primer components of a relatively high cross-linking agent such as a multifunctional (meth)acrylate monomer having at least four functional groups improves the stability of the system relative to degradation due to exposure of the system to water. In addition, the inclusion in a primer component of a relatively hydrophobic monomer(s) improves the stability of the system. 
         [0030]    In particular, it has been found that when a primer/adhesive system comprising a first primer component A comprising ethanol and an amino acid salt derivative N(p-tolyl)glycine glycidyl methacrylate magnesium salt (Mg NTG-GMA) and a second primer component B comprising polymerizable acidic monomer BPDM (biphenyl dimethacrylate), dipentaerythritol pentaacrylate (“DPEPA”), relatively hydrophobic resin BisGMA or ethoxylated BisGMA, and initially hydrophilic monomer 2-hydroxyethyl-methacrylate (HEMA), and camphorquinone (“CQ”) creates an effective hybridization layer when mixed and applied to a tooth surface prepared with an acid etch (of approximately 20%-50% phosphoric acid) and rinsed with water prior to application of the primer mix. 
         [0031]    In one embodiment, a hydrophobic dentin/enamel resin is applied over a tooth surface prepared and primed with the primer/adhesive system described above. For example, a hydrophobic resin may comprise BisGMA, urethane dimethacrylate (“UDMA”), triethyleneglycol dimethacrylate (“Tri-EDMA”), ethyl 4-dimethylaminobenzoate (“EDMAB”), CQ, and 4-methoxyphenol (“MEHQ”). 
         [0032]    It has also been found that removal of monomers such as HEMA from the resin, while including such a hydrophilic monomer in the primer, results in a high initial bond strength with improved long term bond strength. 
       Example I 
       [0033]    For example, according to one exemplary embodiment, a primer/adhesive system comprises a part A comprising from approximately 90-99% (by weight) ethanol and approximately 1%-10% (by weight) of an amino acid or its salt derivative such as Mg NTG-GMA; and a part B comprising a polymerizable acidic monomer such as BPDM at about 5%-30% (by weight), about 10%-40% HEMA (by weight), about 5%-15% DPEPA (by weight), about 20%-60% (by weight) of relatively hydrophobic resin BisGMA or ethoxylated BisGMA, and about 0.1%-1% CQ (by weight). According to one exemplary embodiment, Part B may comprise a polymerizable acidic monomer such as BPDM in an amount about 10% (by weight), about 38% HEMA (by weight), about 10% DPEPA (by weight), about 41% (by weight) of relatively hydrophobic resin BisGMA or ethoxylated BisGMA, about 0.5% CQ (by weight), and about 0.5% EDMAB (by weight). Additionally, a hydrophobic resin may comprise approximately 20-30% BisGMA (by weight), approximately 20-30% UDMA (by weight), approximately 30-47.77% Tri-EDMA (by weight), approximately 1.00-1.75% EDMAB (by weight), approximately 0.30-0.45% camphorquinone (by weight), and approximately less than 0.1% MEHQ (by weight). As shown below in Table 1, the initial bond strength to dentin when a first acid etch/rinse is applied is approximately 60 MPa, with no statistically significant reduction in strength after 24 hours. In this instance, microtensile bond strength was tested according to the methods generally described in Sano et al., Dent Mater (10): 236-240 (1994). Optionally, the resin may contain a filler or radiopaque filler such as Ytterbium fluoride (YbF3) that may comprise approximately 10%-50% by weight of the resin composition. 
         [0034]    When the primer is used along with the HEMA free resin, the bond strength after 24 hours did not decrease. 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 1 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 MICROTENSILE BOND STRENGTH TO DENTIN 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Example I Primer 
                 Example 1 Primer 
               
               
                   
                 (A + B Only) 
                 (A + B) &amp; Resin) 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                   
                 Standard 
                   
                 Standard 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Deviation 
                   
                 Deviation 
               
               
                   
                 Strength 
                 (“SD”) 
                 Strength 
                 (“SD”) 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Same Day 37° C. 
                 60.0 MPa 
                 14.7 MPa 
                 55.3 MPa 
                  9.8 MPa 
               
               
                 in H 2 0 LC 
               
               
                 24 Hours at 37° C. 
                 60.0 MPa 
                 13.2 MPa 
                 62.4 MPa 
                 11.1 MPa 
               
               
                 in H 2 0 LC 
               
               
                 Self Cure 
                 58.2 MPa 
                  9.3 MPa 
                 NA 
                 NA 
               
               
                 24 Hours at 37° C. 
               
               
                 in H 2 0 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0035]    Further, according to one embodiment of the present application, long term testing over 24 months, as shown in Table 2 below, shows that the above-described primer composition alone continues to retain microtensile bond strength (“μ-TBS”) over the entire period when exposed to water in an accelerated aging test when used alone or with a filled Dentin Enamel (“D/E”) resin. 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 2 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 ACCELERATED AGING TEST OF BOND TO 
               
               
                 DENTIN ULTRADENT SHEAR BOND TEST 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Prior Art Primer 
                 Example 1 Primer 
                 Example 1 Primer 
               
               
                   
                 with D/E Resin 
                 (A + B) Only 
                 (A + B) &amp; Filled D/E Resin 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                   
                 Standard 
                   
                 Standard 
                   
                 Standard 
               
               
                 Light Cure 
                 Strength 
                 Deviation 
                 Strength 
                 Deviation 
                 Strength 
                 Deviation 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Initial 24 
                 33.8 MPa 
                 5.9 MPa 
                 35.1 MPa 
                 4.6 MPa 
                 41.6 MPa 
                 6.6 MPa 
               
               
                 Hrs at 37° 
               
               
                 C. in H 2 0 
               
               
                 24 Months 
                 23.5 MPa 
                 7.0 MPa 
                 34.4 MPa 
                 4.6 MPa 
                 47.9 MPa 
                 6.8 MPa 
               
               
                 at 37° C. 
               
               
                 in H 2 0 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0036]    In addition, the sample was tested according to the use of the Ultradent shear bond test by using an Ultradent jig as described generally in the article: Pashley et al., Dent. Mater. 11: 117-125 (1995). Further testing in water for 24 months and 45 months at 37° C. further supports the findings set forth in Table 2 above. As summarized below in Table 3, aging testing in water showed that shear bond strength did not appreciably reduce over 24 months in the novel primer/adhesive system described as Example 1. Further, only slight reduction in shear strength was shown in the water aging test at 45 months. 
         [0037]    Aging testing of the primer disclosed above when further bonded with a filled D/E resin as discussed above further showed surprising results compared to the teachings of Yiu et al. Specifically, when tested in water for 24 months and 45 months at 37° C., the bonding strengths of the primer/adhesive system to dentin when used along with a hydrophilic resin such as that described above show that the system remained stable, exhibiting resistance to water-induced degradation. 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 3 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 LONG TERM AGING TEST IN H 2 O - SHEAR BOND STRENGTH 
               
               
                 OF BOND TO DENTIN AS SUBSTRATE 
               
               
                 ULTRADENT SHEAR BOND TEST (MPa) 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                   
                 Example 1 Primer 
               
               
                   
                 Example 1 Primer 
                 (A + B) &amp; 
               
               
                   
                 (A + B) Only 
                 Filled D/E Resin 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                   
                 Standard 
                   
                 Standard 
               
               
                 Light Cured 
                 Strength 
                 Deviation 
                 Strength 
                 Deviation 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Initial at 37° C. in 
                 35.1 
                 4.6 
                 41.6 
                 6.6 
               
               
                 H 2 0 LC 
               
               
                 24 Months at 37° C. 
                 34.4 
                 4.6 
                 47.9 
                 6.8 
               
               
                 in H 2 0 LC 
               
               
                 45 Months at 37° C. 
                 29.6 
                 6.4 
                 45.9 
                 6.1 
               
               
                 in H 2 0 LC 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0038]    Table 4 shows the bond strength of adhesives commercially available when compared to a primer/adhesive system according to the present invention. Each of the commercially available bonding systems were compared with the primer/adhesive system as disclosed above, as well as the primer/adhesive system and an additional hydrophobic resin comprising 29.5% BisGMA (wt), about 29.5% UDMA (wt), about 39% TriEDMA (wt), about 1.435% EDMAB (wt), and about 0.369% CQ (wt), and 0.025% MEHQ, each of which were applied using the total etch technique. As will be appreciated, the primer/adhesive system according to the present invention, when used alone or in combination with a hydrophobic resin, resulted in an initial bond that is very high, coupled with long term bond stability and durability that is better than any other adhesive system tested. 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 4 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 LONG TERM AGING TEST OF ADHESIVES μ-TBS - EXPOSED 
               
               
                 SPECIMENS WITH DENTIN AS A SUBSTRATE 
               
               
                 (ALL RESULTS IN MPa) 
               
             
          
           
               
                 Total Etch 
                   
                   
                   
               
               
                 Adhesives 
                 24 HR (SD) 
                 6 Weeks (SD) 
                 24 Weeks (SD) 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Example 1 Primer 
                 57.7 (15.8) 
                 65.7 (11.8) 
                 65.2 (15.6) 
               
               
                 (A + B) Only at 37° C. 
               
               
                 in H 2 0 LC 
               
               
                 Example 1 Primer 
                 62.8 (4.9)  
                 61.4 (13.6) 
                 61.0 (10.1) 
               
               
                 (A + B)+ Filled 
               
               
                 Hydrophobic Resin 
               
               
                 at 37° C. in H 2 0 LC 
               
               
                 Scotchbond MP 
                 49.1 (14.0) 
                 64.0 (11.7) 
                 44.1 (15.3) 
               
               
                 at 37° C. in H 2 0 LC 
               
               
                 One-Step 
                 65.2 (11.3) 
                 69.5 (14.2) 
                 58.0 (13.4) 
               
               
                 at 37° C. in H 2 0 LC 
               
               
                 Singlebond 
                 75.1 (12.4) 
                 66.6 (12.6) 
                 54.0 (23.0) 
               
               
                 at 37° C. in H 2 0 LC 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0039]    Further, according to at least one embodiment of the present application, long term testing over 6 months, as shown in Table 5 below, shows that one exemplary embodiment of the adhesive system, when bonded to dentin continues to retain microtensile bond strength (“μ-TBS”) over the entire period when exposed to water at 37° C. in an aging test. According to at least one embodiment, a dental adhesive system comprising a Part A primer component comprising 2% Mg-NTG-GMA (wt) and 98% absolute ethanol (wt), and a relatively hydrophilic Part B primer component comprising 10% BPDM (wt), about 38.75% HEMA (wt), about 10% DPEPA(wt), about 41% BisGMA (wt), about 0.25% CQ (wt); and a relatively hydrophobic liner comprising about 29.5% BisGMA (wt), about 29.5% UDMA (wt), about 39% TriEDMA (wt), about 1.435% EDMAB (wt), and about 0.369 CQ (wt), and 0.025 MEHQ (the “Sample”). 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 5 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 LONG TERM AGING TEST OF ADHESIVES μ-TBS - EXPOSED 
               
               
                 SPECIMENS WITH DENTIN AS A SUBSTRATE 
               
               
                 (ALL RESULTS IN MPa) 
               
             
          
           
               
                 Total Etch 
                   
                   
                   
               
               
                 Adhesives 
                 24 HR (SD) 
                 3 months 
                 6 Months 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Sample in water 
                 42.22 (13.53) 
                 46.25 (13.32) 
                 52.52 (14.29) 
               
               
                 Sample + 
                 48.41(7.53)  
                 47.65 (6.46)  
                 46.62 (9.82)  
               
               
                 hydrophobic 
               
               
                 resin in water 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0040]    In yet another embodiment, a dental adhesive system according to at least one of the above formulations further comprises the use of chlorhexidine dissolved in ethanol or a comparable alcohol or other solvent having a solubility parameter approximately similar thereto as a wetting solution prior to bonding the prepared dentin surface. As it is known that chlorhexidine is a matrix metalloproteinase (“MMP”) inhibitor, and studies have indicated that endogenous MMP&#39;s may contribute to collagen degradation and weakening adhesive bond strength, the below Table 6 shows the results of testing used to determine whether use of chlorhexidine interferes with a dental adhesive system according to at least one of the above formulations. 
         [0041]    Four solutions were prepared: a control solution of water; a 1% chlorhexidine diacetate in water solution (CHX/Water); ethanol only (Ethanol); and 1% chlorhexidine diacetate in ethanol (CHX/Ethanol). Flat dentin surfaces were etched with 32% phosphoric acid, Uni-etch BAC (Bisco Inc.) during 15 s, rinsed thoroughly with water (30 s), and dried with absorbent paper. Any visible water was remaining on the dentin surface was removed and surfaces were re-wetted during 30 seconds with one of the solutions prepared, including the control groups (water and ethanol without chlorhexidine). The excess of the solution was removed with tissue-paper and an adhesive according to one of the embodiments discussed above (Sample components A and B of Table 5 above), was applied with smooth and continuous rubbing during 15 seconds and left undisturbed for 15 seconds. A gentle air stream was applied to evaporate the solvents, and subsequently it was light-cured for 20 s (500 mW/cm 2 ). Four-mm resin build-ups were constructed incrementally, using Aelite All-purpose Body (Bisco). After storage in water at 37° C. for 24 h, teeth were cut into beams for microtensile test (0.5 mm/min). Half of the beams were tested immediately (24 h) and the other half was stored in distilled water, which was changed every month for 6 months. When the storage period was completed, the remaining beams were tested. Data were analyzed by two-way ANOVA and Tukey for pairwise comparisons (α=0.05) to evaluate effects of treatments and testing periods. The tests below show that there were no significant negative effects of treating the dentin with any of the chlorhexidine solutions prior to bonding, either in initial bond strength or at the 6 month period. It is believed that long term bond strength may be improved due to the MMP inhibitive effects of chlorhexidine, as well as the anti-microbial effects of chlorhexidine. Further, according to another embodiment, chlorhexidine dissolved in ethanol is utilized as a portion of Part A or Part B of the adhesive systems disclosed above. 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 6 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 BOND STRENGTH AS A FUNCTION OF STORAGE TIME OF 
               
               
                 ADHESIVES μ-TBS - CHLORHEXIDINE (“CHX”) INFUSED 
               
               
                 SAMPLES WITH DENTIN AS A SUBSTRATE 
               
               
                 (ALL RESULTS IN MPa) 
               
             
          
           
               
                 Solution Used to 
                   
                   
               
               
                 Treat Prepared Dentin 
                 24 HOURS 
                 6 MONTHS 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 WATER 
                 49.41 ± 10.75 (19) 
                 58.68 ± 8.95 (23) 
               
               
                 CHX + WATER 
                 51.27 ± 17.28 (16) 
                 55.13 ± 15.87 (16) 
               
               
                 ETHANOL 
                 58.27 ± 10.42 (20) 
                 57.31 ± 10.11 (21) 
               
               
                 CHX + ETHANOL 
                 53.08 ± 15.80 (21) 
                 59.71 ± 12.92 (19)