The present application relates to a polymerizable dental primer/adhesive system comprising a primer component having a relatively hydrophilic monomer component in an amount that renders the system relatively hydrophilic before polymerization of the system and capable of penetrating a prepared dental surface such as etched tooth dentin or enamel, and a multi-functional cross-linking agent in an amount that renders the system relatively hydrophobic after polymerization. A polymerizable hydrophobic monomer component is also included in the primer. The inclusion of said hydrophobic polymerizable monomer and said multi-functional cross-linking agent improves the long term stability or durability of the polymerized primer system to the dental restoration and to the tooth, dentin, enamel and other dental surfaces. An additional hydrophobic resin can also be employed with the primer adhesive system. The dental primer adhesive system exhibits greater stability and durability over time when compared to other dental adhesive systems.
