Abstract
Methyl methacrylate-p-styrenesulfonic acid copolymers (MS) was prepared to develop a new adhesive to both tooth substrates and dental resins which were made of methacrylates. The adhesion mechanism of MS to tooth substrates was elucidated. The effect of metal ions on the viscosity of the copolymer solution was observed. The reaction of the copolymer with the hydroxyapatite was studied by FT-IR spectroscopy. The ground bovine tooth enamel surfaces were applied with 3% of aqueous MS, washed with water, and then characterized by XPS. The FT-IR spectra indicated the reaction of sulfonic acid in MS with the hydroxyapatite. The XPS analysis showed that the MS could not be removed from the surface by washing. It could be concluded that the adhesion of dental resin to tooth with MS was of a new type of adhesion mechanism.
