A novel prosthetic resin composite containing fine enamel particles

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Dental Materials Science
• Polymer Chemistry

Background:

• Conventional prosthetic resin composites can exhibit wear and abrade opposing tooth structures.
• Developing dental materials with enhanced mechanical properties and biocompatibility is crucial for improved patient outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel prosthetic resin composite utilizing finely powdered enamel as a filler.
• To evaluate the mechanical properties, specifically flexural strength and Vickers hardness, of the developed composite.
• To assess the potential of the enamel-filled composite to avoid abrasion of opposing teeth.

Main Methods:

• Bovine teeth were processed to isolate enamel particles.
• A resin matrix composed of UDMA (60 mole %) and Tri-EDMA (40 mole %) with camphorquinone photo-initiator was prepared.
• Enamel fillers were incorporated at 80 or 85 mass % into the resin matrix.
• Specimens underwent light-curing followed by heat treatment at 100°C.
• Flexural strength and Vickers hardness were measured.

Main Results:

• Prosthetic resin composites were successfully developed with 80 or 85 mass % enamel filler.
• Specimens with 85 mass % filler, heat-treated post-curing, exhibited an average flexural strength of 95.2 MPa and Vickers hardness of 109.8 MPa.
• These mechanical properties surpass those of many commercially available prosthetic resin composites.
• The use of enamel filler suggests a reduced potential for abrasive wear on opposing dentition.

Conclusions:

• Finely powdered enamel can be effectively incorporated into a resin matrix to create a high-performance prosthetic material.
• The developed enamel-filled resin composite demonstrates excellent mechanical properties, comparable or superior to existing commercial options.
• This novel material holds promise for durable and non-abrasive dental prosthetic applications.