Resin composites in dentistry: the monomer systems

Area of Science:

• Dental Materials Science
• Polymer Chemistry
• Biomaterials Engineering

Background:

• Current dental resin composites predominantly use Bisphenol A glycidyl methacrylate (BisGMA) or urethane-based monomers, developed decades ago.
• Existing materials suffer from polymerization shrinkage and inadequate wear resistance, impacting restoration longevity and clinical success.
• These deficiencies are directly linked to the inherent properties of the monomer systems employed.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the historical development of monomers in dental resin composites.
• To highlight recent and ongoing research in novel dental monomer systems.
• To motivate further innovation to address current material limitations.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of historical and current research on dental monomer systems.
• Analysis of monomer properties influencing polymerization shrinkage and wear resistance.
• Investigation of novel monomer synthesis and formulation strategies.

Main Results:

• Identified BisGMA and urethane derivatives as current industry standards.
• Highlighted polymerization shrinkage and wear resistance as key challenges.
• Reviewed emerging strategies including fluoride-releasing monomers, low-shrinking/non-shrinking systems (ring-opening, cyclopolymerizable), and additives for improved conversion and mechanical properties.

Conclusions:

• New monomer systems hold significant promise for improving dental resin composite longevity.
• Addressing polymerization shrinkage and wear resistance through innovative monomer design is crucial.
• Further research and implementation of advanced monomer systems are expected to expand the clinical applications of resin composites.