Optimum concentration and application time of 1,6-hexanediol as a dentin primer.

The optimum concentration and application time for an experimental dentin primer composed of an aqueous solution of 1,6-hexanediol were determined by measuring the wall-to-wall polymerization contraction gap width of a commercial light-activated resin composite in a cylindrical dentin cavity prepared in an extracted human molar. Contraction gap formation was completely prevented only when the dentin cavity wall was primed with 45 wt% 1,6-hexanediol for 60 s. There were no significant differences in tensile bond strength among primers composed of 20.0-57.5 wt% 1,6-hexanediol. These results suggest that the optimum concentration and application time are 45 wt% and 60 s, respectively.