Novel Bioactive Glass-Modified Hybrid Composite Resin: Mechanical Properties, Biocompatibility, and Antibacterial and Remineralizing Activity

Abstract

Secondary caries seriously limits the lifetime of composite resin. However, integrating all desirable properties (i.e., mechanical, antibacterial, bioactivity, and biocompatibility) into one composite resin is still challenging. Herein, a novel bioactive glass (BAG)-modified hybrid composite resin has been successfully developed to simultaneously achieve excellent mechanical properties, good biocompatibility, and antibacterial and remineralizing capabilities. When the mass fractions of BAG particles were added from 8 to 23 wt %, the original mechanical properties of the composite resin, including flexural strength and compressive strength, were not obviously affected without compromising the degree of conversion. Although the BAG incorporation of mass fractions of 16 wt % to 23 wt % in composite resins reduced cell viability, the viability could be recovered to normal by adjusting the pH value. Moreover, the BAG-modified composite resins that were obtained showed good antibacterial effects against Streptococcus mutans and enhanced remineralizing activity on demineralized dentin surfaces with increasing incorporation of BAG particles. The possible mechanisms for antibacterial and remineralizing activity might be closely related to the release of bioactive ions (Ca2+, Si4+), suggesting that its antibacterial and biological properties can be controlled by modulating the amounts of bioactive ions. The capability to balance the mechanical properties, cytotoxicity, antibacterial activity, and bioactivity makes the BAG-modified composite resin a promising prospect for clinical application. Our findings provide insight into better design and intelligent fabrication of bioactive composite resins.

A Narrative Review of Bioactive Glass-Loaded Dental Resin Composites

“…A total of 20 studies [ 24 , 25 , 29 , 30 , 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 , 38 , 44 , 45 , 46 , 47 , 48 , 49 , 50 , 51 , 52 , 53 , 54 ] were found to evaluate the mechanical properties of BAG-loaded dental resin composites, where flexural strength (FS), flexural modulus (FM), biaxial flexural strength (BFS), modulus of resilience (MR), fatigue crack growth, compressive strength (CS), microhardness (MH), bond strength, and fracture toughness have mainly been analyzed ( Table 3 ).…”

Effectiveness of Se/ZnO NPs in Enhancing the Antibacterial Activity of Resin-Based Dental Composites

“…Resin-based composites are also used in CAD/CAM systems for machining or as a direct-placement restorative material in the form of a paste that later needs curing [ 9 ]. However, gap formation is one of the major concerns faced by composite-based restorative materials, allowing the cariogenic biofilm to enter the dentine–composite resin interface [ 11 , 12 , 13 ]. Bacteria responsible for biofilm formation produce acid on the surface of the tooth through carbohydrate fermentation, demineralizing the calcified tissues of the tooth and ruining the tooth structure, and leading to secondary caries [ 12 , 13 ].…”

“…However, gap formation is one of the major concerns faced by composite-based restorative materials, allowing the cariogenic biofilm to enter the dentine–composite resin interface [ 11 , 12 , 13 ]. Bacteria responsible for biofilm formation produce acid on the surface of the tooth through carbohydrate fermentation, demineralizing the calcified tissues of the tooth and ruining the tooth structure, and leading to secondary caries [ 12 , 13 ]. This increases the demand for antibacterial composites that can completely inhibit or lower the biofilm accumulation rate, thereby preventing secondary caries [ 12 , 14 ].…”

“…However, incorporating these NPs may lead to reduced biocompatibility and mechanical strength as well as aesthetics [ 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 ]. Among metal oxide NPs, Zinc Oxide (ZnO) NPs have been reported to be as effective antibacterial metal oxide NP [ 12 , 20 ]. It has been deemed an antibacterial nanofiller for dental composites to prevent secondary caries formation [ 12 , 20 ].…”

“…Among metal oxide NPs, Zinc Oxide (ZnO) NPs have been reported to be as effective antibacterial metal oxide NP [ 12 , 20 ]. It has been deemed an antibacterial nanofiller for dental composites to prevent secondary caries formation [ 12 , 20 ]. Incorporating ZnO NPs in commercially available composite resin enhances antibacterial properties by releasing Zinc ions (Zn 2+ ) in the tooth-composite interface, thus inhibiting biofilm accumulation and preventing secondary caries [ 21 ].…”