Polymer Chemistry of Dental Adhesives
Dental adhesives are water soluble, non-toxic materials that bind composite resins to dentin and enamel. Adhesive systems are dependent on a polymerization process at the interface and require different moieties to prepare the substrate to effectively interact with the tooth surface. Due to their critical role in restorative procedures, many chemists are interested in strengthening the adhesive bond strength at the interface. The review paper I published in the Pacific Journal of Health covers the evolution of dental adhesive systems over time and provides an extensive overview of what components make up a dental adhesive system. Additionally, the article explores the common issues found in adhesive systems, and how current researchers are working to approach these complications to increase the success rate of dental restorations.