Effect of water content on the physical properties of model dentine primer and bonding resins

Objectives: Primers and adhesives containing hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) are placed on moist dentine even though several studies indicate that water may interfere with the polymerization reaction. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of increasing amounts of water on the physical properties of a model dentine primer resin (HEMA) and model dentine bonding resin (a mixture of HEMA and Bis-GMA). Methods: Miniature (ca 10 × 0.5 mm (long × thick)) hour-glass shaped and parallel-sided specimens were created by casting the monomer or comonomer mixtures into appropriately shaped moulds. The water content was either 0, 5, 9, 17 or 29 vol%. One hour after polymerization, half the specimens were subjected to physical testing under dry conditions. The other half were immersed in water for 24 h and then tested while wet. The ultimate tensile strength (UTS), modulus of elasticity (E), percent elongation at failure, and toughness were calculated. Results: The properties of the dry-stored primer and bonding resins were not altered by water incorporation up to 9 vol%. Higher water content lowered the physical properties (P < 0.05). Immersion of primer polymers in water for 24 h significantly decreased their properties. Water immersion of the bonding resins was unaffected only for specimens containing 0 or 5 vol% water. Conclusions: The plasticizing effects of extrinsic water are far more important than the effects of intrinsic water in poly-HEMA resin. Hybrid layers composed primarily of poly-HEMA would be expected to be more elastic than those made with bifunctional, cross-linked polymer chains.