Age changes in dentin and its effect on bonding: A mini review

Abstract

Objective: The objective of this mini review is to evaluate the age-related changes in dentin and its effect on bonding.Background: Bonding to dentin poses a great challenge which can be attributed to multifarious including factors such as the high organic content of dentin, the presence of dentinal tubules, a continuously moist environment due to fluid presence in the tubules, permeability in dentin, and intratubular pressure. The bonding becomes more challenging with advancing age due to corresponding age-related changes. This dental problem triggered by age-related changes is mainly attributed to the mineralization property of dentin. The bonding to dentin differs significantly in both primary and secondary dentin. These differences can be maintained by altering the etching time.