Mineral precipitation, polymerization properties and bonding performance of universal dental adhesives doped with polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes

Objectives To investigate the effect of methacrylate polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS-8) particles on the polymerization process, dentin bond strength, and mineral precipitation of universal dental adhesives. Methods Five universal adhesives (Adhese Universal, CLEARFIL Universal Bond, Futurabond U, iBOND Universal, Scotchbond Universal) were filled with POSS-8 particles (10 wt%, additionally 2 wt% and 5 wt% in Scotchbond Universal). The particle size and dispersion in ethanol and acetone were examined by dynamic light scattering. Degree of conversion, linear shrinkage, and shear bond strength to dentin treated with the filled and pure adhesives (controls) were measured. Growth of calcium phosphate (Ca/P) precipitates on the adhesive specimens immersed in artificial saliva for up to 28 days was analyzed by energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Statistical analyses were performed using ANOVA and Tukey's post-hoc tests (p < 0.05). Results The hydrodynamic radius of the particles in acetone (1.4 ± 0.4 nm) and ethanol (1.1 ± 0.4 nm) revealed their good dispersion. POSS-8 did not change the degree of conversion and dentin bond strength of any adhesive. Ca/P precipitates formed on iBOND Universal specimens doped with POSS-8 after 4 weeks of immersion, but were not detected on the unfilled adhesive. The mineral precipitation of all other adhesives was not improved by POSS-8. Significance POSS-8 particles did not compromise polymerization and bonding of universal adhesives. Ca/P precipitation was stimulated by POSS-8 only in iBOND Universal.