Optimization of strontium aluminate-based mechanoluminescence materials for occlusal examination of artificial tooth

This work presents a novel approach for evaluating the occlusal examination of artificial tooth based on the mechanoluminescence (ML) materials. The rare earth doped strontium aluminate (SrAl₂O₄: Eu²⁺, Dy³⁺; SAOED) was chosen as the ML material, which was further composited with the commercial denture base resin (DBR) to determine its feasibility for the mechanics analysis of artificial tooth occlusion. To eliminate negative factors for occlusal analysis, SAOED was first optimized to exhibit a rapid decay of afterglow and enhanced ML intensity. The luminescent characterizations of the SAOED/DBR composites suggest DBR is a desirable elastic-supporter for nondestructive ML generation. Furthermore, the introduction of SAOED improved the mechanical performance of DBR, and its biocompatibility was maintained at the same time. These results suggest the feasibility of the idea to detect the mechanics in occlusal examination of artificial tooth based on ML. The bright and sensitive ML from the constructed standard artificial tooth models could guide clinicians to purposefully adjust the occlusal surface until a balanced occlusion established.