Phosphoric acid containing proanthocyanidin enhances bond stability of resin/dentin interface

Abstract Proanthocyanidin (PA) is a promising dentin biomodifier due to its ability to stabilize collagen fibrils against degradation by matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs); however, the most effective protocol to incorporate PA into bonding procedures is still unclear. This study evaluated the effect of dentin biomodification with a PA acid etchant on MMP activity, adhesive interface morphology and resin-dentin microtensile bond strength. Sound extracted human molars were flattened to expose dentin and acid-etched for 15 s according to the groups: EXP - experimental phosphoric acid; EXP+PA - experimental phosphoric acid 10% PA; TE - total-etching system; SE - self-etching system. Samples were restored with composite resin and stored in distilled water (37ºC). MMP activity and interface morphology were analyzed after 24 h by in situ zymography (n=6) and scanning electron microscopy (n=3), respectively. The resin-dentin microtensile bond strength (μTBS) was evaluated after 24 h and 6 months storage (n=6). Significantly higher MMP activity was detected in etched dentin compared with untreated dentin (p