The aim of this study was to examine the release of silica (Si), calcium (Ca), phosphorous (P), and fluoride (F) from conventional glass ionomer cement (GI) and resin-modified glass ionomer cement (LCGI), containing different quantities of bioactive glass (BAG). Further aim was to evaluate in vitro biomineralization of dentine. The release of Si increased with the increasing immersion time from the specimens containing BAG, whereas the amount of Ca and P decreased indicating in vitro bioactivity of the materials. LCGI with 30wt% of BAG showed highest bioactivity. It also showed CaP-like precipitation on both the surface of the test specimens and on the dentin discs immersed with the material. Within the limitations of this study, it can be concluded that a dental restorative material consisting of glass ionomer cements and BAG is bioactive and initiates biomineralization on dentin surface in vitro.

The aim of this study was to evaluate flexural properties of glass fiber-reinforced composites with a multiphase biopolymer matrix. Continuous unidirectional E-glass fibers were preimpregnated with a novel biopolymer of poly(hydroxyproline) amide and ester. The preimpregnated fibers were then further impregnated in a co-monomer system of Bis-GMA-TEGDMA, which formed semi-interpenetrating polymer networks (semi-IPN) with the preimpregnated polymer. After light initiated polymerization of the monomer system, rectangular shaped bar specimens (n = 4) were tested by the three-point bending test. The control material was a fiber-reinforced composite with a Bis-GMA-TEDGMA-matrix only. The mean flexural strength of poly(hydroxyproline) amide preimpregnated fiber composite was higher than that of the control (FS = 888 vs. 805 MPa). The poly(hydroxyproline) ester preimpregnated fibers resulted in lower strength (FS = 541 MPa). The results of this study suggest that preimpregnation of glass fibers with poly(hydroxyproline) amide and the use of such fibers in fiber-reinforced composites with IPN polymer matrices, can reach relatively high mechanical properties.

The aim of this study was to investigate the biomimetic mineralization on the surface of a glass fiber reinforced composite with partially resorbable biopolymer matrix. The E-glass fibers were preimpregnated with a novel biopolymer of poly(hydroxyproline) amide, and further impregnated in the monomer system of bis-phenyl glycidyl dimethacrylate (Bis-GMA)--triethylene glycol dimethacrylate (TEGDMA), which formed interpenetrating polymer networks (IPN) with the preimpregnation polymer. After light-initiated polymerization of the monomer system, the rhombic test specimens (n = 6) were immersed in the simulated body fluid (SBF) with the bioactive glass for 24 h, and then the apatite nuclei were allowed to grow for 1, 3, 5 and 7 days in the SBF. The control test specimens (n = 3) were immersed in SBF without the bioactive glass. According to the scanning electron microscope (SEM), a mineral layer was formed on the surface of all the specimens, which were immersed with bioactive glass. The layer was thickened by the prolonged immersion time to a uniform layer. The Ca/P atomic ratio of the mineral varied between 1.30 and 1.54 as analyzed by the energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDXA). The Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) spectra gave signals for the mineral, which are characteristic of both bone-like apatite and orthocalciumphosphate. In conclusion, the mineral layer was formed on the surfaces of the specimens by biomimetic mineralization, the mineral being a mixture of bone-like apatite, orthocalciumphosphate and other calcium phosphates.

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The aim of this study was to investigate cytotoxicity of composition of E-glass fibers and novel biopolymer of poly(hydroxyproline). Growth and proliferation of the human gingival fibroblast cells on the surface of the materials was evaluated. The number of cells grown and proliferated on cell culture plastic was used as a control. Bi-directional fiber weaves were preimpregnated with poly(hydroxyproline). Cytotoxicities of the preimpregnated and nonimpregnated materials were evaluated bythe release of lactate dehydrogenase from the cells during the culture period of 24 h. The values of the lactate dehydrogenase activity of the materials' extracts showed non-toxicity for poly(hydroxyproline) preimpregnated E-glass fiber weaves. The growth of fibroblasts on the surface of the materials appeared normal after 11 days culture period; they looked healthy and normal in size and shape. The results of this study suggest that based on its' non-cytotoxicity the composition of E-glass fibers and poly(hydroxyproline) can further be evaluated as a material that is suitable for biomedical use.