Recent Advances in Adhesive Bonding: The Role of Biomolecules, Nanocompounds, and Bonding Strategies in Enhancing Resin Bonding to Dental Substrates

Purpose of review: To present an overview on the main agents (i.e. biomolecules and nanocompounds) and/or strategies currently available to amplify or stabilize resin-dentin bonding. Recent findings: According to studies retrieved for full-text reading (2014–2017), there are currently six major strategies available to overcome resin-dentin bond degradation: (1) use of collagen crosslinking agents, which may form stable covalent bonds with collagen fibrils, thus strengthening the hybrid layer; (2) use of antioxidants, which may allow further polymerization reactions over time; (3) use of protease inhibitors, which may inhibit or inactivate metalloproteinases; (4) modification of the bonding procedure, which may be performed by using the ethanol-wet bonding (EWB) technique or by applying an additional adhesive (hydrophobic) coating, thereby strengthening the hybrid layer; (5) laser treatment of the substrate prior to bonding, which may cause specific topographic changes in the surface of dental substrates, increasing bonding efficacy; and (6) reinforcement of the resin matrix with inorganic fillers and/or remineralizing agents, which may positively enhance physicomechanical properties of the hybrid layer. Summary: With the present review, we contributed to the better understanding of adhesion concepts and mechanisms of resin-dentin bond degradation, showing the current prospects available to solve that problematic. In addition, adhesively-bonded restorations may be benefited by the use of some biomolecules, nanocompounds or alternative bonding strategies in order to minimize bond strength degradation. © 2017, Springer International Publishing AG.