Biomodification of dentin collagen by primers with crosslinking reagents using ethanol wet bonding technique

To evaluate the association between Ethanol Wet Bonding (EWB) and collagen cross-linking agents (CLA) on the mechanical properties of collagen and on the physical chemical proprieties of an etch-and-rise adhesive to dentin. Demineralized dentin bars (n = 10) were immersed, for 1 min or 1 h, according to the respective groups: distilled water control (WC); absolute ethanol (EA); absolute ethanol with the incorporation of proanthocyanidins 6,5% (PAC + AE); absolute ethanol with the incorporation of 1-ethyl-3- (3-dimethylaminopropyl) carbodiimide 0.3 M (EDC + EA); absolute ethanol with the incorporation of 5% glutaraldehyde (GA + AE). All as solutions used as dentin primer per 1-min of application, for 3-point bending test was performed to evaluate the modulus of elasticity (ME) and mass change (MC) of collagen treated with the respective solutions, at different times of application (1min and 1h). The in situ degree conversion [DC] (n = 3), microtensile bond strength testing [μTBS] (n = 6) and micropermeability [MI] (n = 3) of the teeth restored with the respective treatments were analyzed. After 1 min and 1 h of application, it was observed that WC group showed the lowest ME (p < 0,05). The groups EDC + AE, GA + AE and AE presented a better ME with 1 h of application (p < 0,05), since the PAC + AE and WC were statistically similar. Treatments did not influence DC and μTBS (p > 0,05). In the micropermeability the WA showed the worst results. The association of EWB technique and CLA improved the mechanical properties of the collagen, but it showed no influence in the adhesive procedure.