Epigallocatechin-3-Gallate/Nanohydroxyapatite Platform Delivery Approach to Adhesive-Dentin Interface

Interface science is an intrinsic component of dental bonding. Current adhesive techniques allow clinicians to bond resin composites to dentin for the restoration of a defected tooth. However, a vulnerable adhesive-dentin interface remains clinically challenging by far resulting in frequent replacement of the restorations. The inappropriate management of exposed dentin plays a major role in jeopardizing the stability of the adhesive-dentin interface, leading to subsequent restorative failure. To overcome this problem, this paper highlights epigallocatechin-3-gallate/nanohydroxyapatite (EGCG/nHAp) platform (mesoporous silica-based) delivery approach to the adhesive-dentin interface and investigates its effectiveness on dentin bonding. Microtensile bond strength, interfacial nanoleakage, in situ zymography, and Streptococcus mutans biofilm formation were assessed. Results revealed that applying the EGCG/nHAp delivery platform on exposed dentin could preserve the dentin bond strength and reduce interfacial nanoleakage after collagenase ageing; moreover, it could inactivate the activity of matrix metalloproteinase within the hybrid layer and inhibit the adhesion and biofilm formation of Streptococcus mutans. The proposed approach demonstrates great potential for stabilizing the adhesive-dentin interface, which may aid in achieving a durable dentin bonding efficiency and preventing secondary caries progression, thereby indicating a promising strategy to prolong the service life of dental restorations.