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Thiol-ene oligomers as dental restorative materials
Jacquelyn A Carioscia1, Hui Lu, Jeffrey W Stanbury
1Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Engineering Center, University of Colorado at Boulder, ECCH 111, 80309-0424, USA.
Summary
New oligomeric thiol-ene dental resins significantly reduce polymerization stress and shrinkage compared to traditional materials. These advanced resins maintain mechanical properties, offering a promising alternative for dental restorations.
Area of Science:
- Polymer Chemistry
- Biomaterials Science
- Dental Materials
Background:
- Dental restorative materials often suffer from polymerization shrinkage and stress, leading to marginal gaps and secondary caries.
- Current dimethacrylate-based resins exhibit significant polymerization stress, impacting clinical longevity.
- Thiol-ene chemistry offers a versatile platform for developing novel polymer networks.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize reactive thiol- or vinyl (ene)-functionalized oligomers via prereaction of thiol-ene monomers.
- To evaluate these oligomeric thiol-ene materials as dental restorative resins.
- To compare their polymerization shrinkage and stress against monomeric thiol-ene systems and conventional dimethacrylate resins.
Main Methods:
- Thiol-functionalized oligomers were synthesized using photopolymerization with triallyl-1,3,5-triazine-2,4,6-trione (TATATO), trimethylolpropane tris(3-mercaptopropionate) (trithiol), and pentaerythritol tetramercaptopropionate (tetrathiol).
- Kinetic and mechanical properties, including polymerization shrinkage, stress, glass transition temperature, flexural strength, and flexural modulus, were evaluated.
- Comparisons were made between oligomeric thiol-ene, monomeric thiol-ene, and dimethacrylate (Bis-GMA/TEGDMA) systems.
Main Results:
- Oligomeric thiol-ene systems demonstrated a significant reduction in polymerization stress, up to 33% lower than monomeric thiol-ene systems.
- A substantial 92% reduction in polymerization stress was observed compared to current dimethacrylate-based dental restorative materials.
- The flexural strength and modulus of the oligomeric and monomeric thiol-ene resins were comparable and not significantly different.
Conclusions:
- Oligomeric thiol-ene systems present a viable alternative for dental restorative applications.
- These novel resins significantly mitigate polymerization shrinkage and stress.
- The mechanical integrity of the dental restorations is maintained with these advanced oligomeric materials.