Effect of experimental silane-based primers with various contents of 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate on the bond strength of orthodontic adhesives.

AIM: To evaluate in vitro the effect of different concentrations of 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) in experimental silane-based primers on shear bond strength of orthodontic adhesives. METHODS: Different volume percentages of HEMA were tested in four experimental silane-based primer solutions (additions of HEMA: 0, 5.0 vol%, 25.0 vol% and 50.0 vol%). An experimental silane blend (primer) of 1.0 vol% 3-isocyanatopropyltrimethoxysilane (ICMS) + 0.5% bis-1,2-(triethoxysilyl) ethane (BTSE) was prepared and used. The experimental primers together with the control group were applied onto acid-etched premolars for attachment of orthodontic brackets. After artificial aging by thermocycling the shear-bond strength was measured. The fractured surfaces of all specimens were examined under scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to evaluate the failure mode on the enamel surface. RESULTS: The experimental primers showed the highest shear-bond strength of 21.15 MPa (SD +/- 2.70 MPa) and with 25 vol% showed a highly significant increase (P < 0.05) in bond strength. The SEM images showed full penetration of adhesive agents when using silane-based primers. In addition, the SEM images suggested that the predominant failure type was not necessarily the same as for the failure propagation. CONCLUSIONS: This preliminary study suggested that nonacidic silane-based primers with HEMA addition might be an alternative to for use as adhesion promoting primers.