ABSTRACT
The possible interaction between dentin and a proprietary dentin bonding agent (DBA), Gluma, was studied by Phase Photoacoustic FTIR. The determination of the existence and nature of a chemical bond between the DBA and the substrate can be of great importance in explaining the performance of these agents. Human dentin was treated by solutions of 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA), glutaral-dehyde and a combination of both (Gluma Primer). Spectra of dentin samples treated with 35% and 100% HEMA as well as Gluma Primer show loss of both the hydroxyl (O—H stretch) and methylene (CH2 stretches) peaks from HEMA while other peaks are retained, even after thorough washing. This indicates a reaction between HEMA and the collagenous fraction of dentin.
