Biomimetic Fe‐hydroxyapatite nanoparticle‐reinforced bisphenol A‐glycol methacrylate/triethyleneglycol‐dimethacrylate resins for dental restorative application

Abstract

Commercial bisphenol A‐glycol methacrylate (BisGMA)/triethyleneglycol‐dimethacrylate (TEGDMA) have been widely used as dental restorative material; however, the poor mechanical and anti‐wear properties greatly limited their applied range. In this study, iron‐containing hydroxyapatite (FeHA) nanoparticles that mimic the chemical composition and microstructure of natural bamboo rat incisor enamel were synthesized and used as reinforcement in BisGMA/TEGDMA resins. The as‐prepared polycrystalline FeHA have a rod like morphology with uniformly dispersed iron. The effects of nanoparticle–resin weight ratios on the mechanical properties, tribological properties, and bioactivity of FeHA‐BisGMA/TEGDMA resins were investigated. In vitro bioactivity of the studied resin composites in artificial saliva showed that a dense and continuous apatite layer was formed on the surface of the resin composite. Findings revealed that doping a suitable content of FeHA nanoparticle, especially at 0.75 wt% FeHA, would significantly improve the tribological and mechanical properties as well as bioactivity of the dental resin composites.