Boron Nitride Nanotubes as Filler for Resin-Based Dental Sealants

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of boron-nitride nanotubes (BNNTs) on the properties of resin-based light-curing dental sealants (RBSs) when incorporated at different concentration. RBSs were formulated using methacrylate monomers (90 wt.% TEGDMA, 10 wt.% Bis-GMA). BNNTs were added to the resin blend at 0.1 wt.% and 0.2 wt.%. A Control group without filler was also designed. Degree of conversion, ultimate tensile strength, contact angle, surface free energy, surface roughness and color of the RBSs were evaluated for the tested materials. Their cytotoxicity and mineral deposition ability (Bioactivity) were also assessed. A suitable degree of conversion, no effect in mechanical properties and no cytotoxic effect was observed for the experimental materials. Moreover, the surface free energy and the surface roughness decreased with the addition of BNNTs. While the color analysis showed no difference between specimens containing BNNTs and the control group. Mineral deposition occurred in all specimens containing BNNTs after 7d. In conclusion, the incorporation of BNNTs may provide bioactivity to resin-based dental sealants and reduce their surface free energy.

Remineralizing Effects of Resin-Based Dental Sealants: A Systematic Review of In Vitro Studies

“…The effectiveness of F and CaP on enamel remineralization was confirmed in most of the included studies. BNNT and CS, on the other hand, had a small or insignificant effect on remineralization [34,35]. This notwithstanding, more laboratory studies are needed in order to confirm their effectiveness.…”

“…Two of the included studies used bovine teeth [28,35], and fourteen studies used human teeth to assess the ion release and remineralizing abilities of the studied sealants. The majority used resin discs.…”

“…However, when the hardness was measured only for the material without measuring the baseline and the change in the hardness, it was considered a physical property, and was not included in this review. Furthermore, the reminreliaizng abilities was assessed using SEM-EDX analysis in two studies [33,44], and seven studies used SEM imaging [20,27,35,36,48,51,54]. There was a variation in the results between the studies.…”

“…Moreover, only two studies assessed the remineralization using surface roughness. The BNNT-containing sealants and Clinpro sealants showed significantly lower roughness than the control groups [35,58]. Lastly, acid neutralization was used in two studies to measure the remineralization potential.…”

Few-Layered Hexagonal Boron Nitride: Functionalization, Nanocomposites, and Physicochemical and Biological Properties

“…White powder, photostable, odorless (hexagonal, cosmetic grade) low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) were tested for inhibition of growth of both E. coli and S. aureus bacteria [18][19][20]. Therefore, boron nitride seems to be suitable for biomedical applications as well.…”