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Structure-Composition-Property Relationships in Polymeric Amorphous Calcium Phosphate-Based Dental Composites.
Justin N R O'Donnell1, Gary E Schumacher, Joseph M Antonucci
1Paffenbarger Research Center, American Dental Association Foundation, Gaithersburg, 20899, MD, USA.
Materials (Basel, Switzerland)
|October 4, 2011
Summary
Bioactive amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP) composites can protect and regenerate teeth by releasing mineral ions. Optimizing methacrylate monomers and ACP filler treatments improves mechanical stability without compromising remineralization potential.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Dental Materials
- Polymer Chemistry
Background:
- Amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP)-based composites show promise for dental applications, offering protection against demineralization and aiding in tooth regeneration.
- Current ACP composites face limitations due to suboptimal filler/matrix cohesion, polymerization shrinkage, and water sorption, impacting their mechanical properties and longevity.
- Understanding the interplay between ACP fillers and polymer matrices is crucial for enhancing the performance of these bioactive materials.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of methacrylate monomer composition on the properties of ACP-based dental composites.
- To evaluate the effects of filler surface modification on composite mechanical stability and remineralization potential.
- To optimize composite formulations for improved degree of vinyl conversion (DVC), reduced water sorption, and sustained mineral ion release.
Main Methods:
- Synthesized and characterized various methacrylate monomers and their copolymers.
- Fabricated ACP-based composites using different monomer formulations and filler treatments (silanization, milling).
- Assessed degree of vinyl conversion (DVC), water sorption, mechanical properties, and mineral ion release of the developed composites.
Main Results:
- Surface modification of ACP fillers via silanization or milling moderately improved composite mechanical stability without hindering remineralization.
- Composites utilizing ethoxylated bisphenol A dimethacrylate or urethane dimethacrylate as base monomers, with additions of hydrophilic 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate or ethyl-α-hydroxymethacrylate, showed promising results.
- Optimized formulations balanced high DVC and remineralizing capacity, suggesting a viable route for enhanced dental materials.
Conclusions:
- Methacrylate monomer selection and ACP filler surface treatment are critical factors in developing mechanically stable and bioactive dental composites.
- Optimized composite formulations can achieve high conversion rates and sustained mineral release, crucial for anti-cariogenic and regenerative applications.
- Further exploration of structure-property relationships is essential for advancing ACP-based dental materials towards clinical evaluation.
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