Microencapsulated Glass Ionomer Cement-Driven Dental Self-Healing Resin Composites With Enhanced Mechanical Strength,...

Long-term applications of dental resin composites are restricted by their limited service lives due to microcrack-induced fractures, while existing self-healing systems face challenges including insufficient biocompatibility and a lack of standardized evaluation. A self-healing resin composite incorporating glass ionomer cement-based silica microcapsules (GIC-SiO₂ MCs) was developed with controlled particle size covering macro- and micro-fillers via optimized synthetic parameters. Microcracks ruptured MCs, releasing healing liquid that reacted with powder in the resin matrix to form crack-sealing GIC. An optimal MCs ratio of 10wt% significantly improved hydrophilicity, flexural strength (from 58.6 to 87.8 MPa, reaching ISO standard), and cytocompatibility. A systematic methodology of self-healing efficiency evaluation was established, integrating morphological and mechanical restoration. The 10 wt.% MC-filled resin showed superior scratch closure in area and depth, recovery of fracture toughness (256.6%), and the highest comprehensive healing efficiency (161.2%). In a rat model, the 10 wt.% MC-incorporated resin elicited mild inflammatory responses and significantly enhanced reparative dentin formation, previously unreported in resin-based material. The developed self-healing resin composite combined enhanced mechanical properties, autonomous self-healing, anti-caries activity, and bioactivity for remineralization and reparative dentin formation. This work offered a pioneering strategy and evaluative foundation for developing clinically applicable self-healing dental materials, bridging the gap between experimental innovation and clinical practice.