| This study investigated the effects of Glutaraldehyde (GA) and Grape Seed Extract (GSE)-induced cross-linking on: (1) the stability of dentin collagen, and (2) dentin bond strengths of sound and caries-affected dentin. Our results demonstrated that the treatments of dentin collagen with GA and GSE significantly increase dentin collagen stability (resistance to collagenase degradation) in sound and caries affected dentin, likely via distinct mechanisms. In addition, the application of chemical cross-linking agents (GA and GSE) to etched dentin prior to bonding procedures significantly enhances dentin bond strengths for sound and caries-affected dentin. |
