The simplified one-step self-etching adhesive and primer/adhesive blends presented high water sorption values that increased with increased water-storage time. High water sorption and solubility values might be related to marginal discoloration and degradation of the bond.
SUMMARYThis study evaluated the effects of water-storage on the water sorption and solubility behavior of five commercially available dental adhesive systems and two primer/adhesive mixtures. The adhesives comprised three different approaches to bonding to hard tooth tissues: a one-step selfetching adhesive (One-up Bond F), two two-step self-etching primers (Clearfil SE Bond and Clearfil Protect Bond) and two etch-and-rinse systems: a water/ethanol-based (Single Bond) and an acetone-based filled adhesive (Prime&Bond NT). The bonding agents and primers of the two-step selfetching systems were mixed in a 1:1 volume ratio. Water sorption and solubility values were determined after 1, 7, 30, 90 and 180 days. The results showed that, except for SB, all adhesives presented increased water sorption with increased storage time. The one-step self-etching adhesive and self-etching primer/adhesive mixtures presented the highest water sorption and solubility values. Equilibrium in the water sorption values was observed for all adhesives after 90 days of waterstorage. However, solubility values continued to increase for some materials until 180 days. The sorption and solubility behavior of the materials tested seem to be related to hydrophilicity of the adhesive resin solution and might influence the long-term performance of resin-based composite restorations.