The aim of this study was to examine two different synthetic routes for obtaining new hydrophilic matrices either by the modification of a synthetic matrix or by the copolymerization of hydrophilic monomers. First, the acrylic acid-ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (AAc-EGDMA) matrix, obtained from suspension with cyclohexane as the diluent at 70 degrees C after 2 h of reaction, was used as a base to be modified with TRIS(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane (TRIS). Experimental variables affecting the carbodiimide-mediated amide-bond development (i.e., the type of carbodiimide, reaction time, pH, and concentration of the matrix in the reaction medium) on the synthetic AAc-EGDMA matrix with TRIS were studied. Second, the N-acryloyl-TRIS(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane-ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (NAT-EGDMA) matrix was obtained under the same experimental conditions as reported for AAc-EGDMA.