Preparation and characterization of silica based nanoclusters as reinforcement for dental applications

Abstract

As composite resins become the most extensively utilized material in the field of cosmetic and restorative dentistry, several strategies to overcome dental composites' challenges such as long‐term mechanical failure and secondary caries are continuously being developed. Among them, the design of suitable fillers to optimize their clinical performance has been given priority in addressing those shortcomings. In this study, silica‐based nanoclusters were synthesized and used as fillers to prepare UV curable dental composites was assessed. Nanoclusters were prepared by prepolymerization followed by pulverization and sieving of commercial silica nanoparticles with triethylene glycol dimethacrylate monomer. The composites were then made by filling 55:25:20 weight ratio of urethane dimethacrylate, bisphenol A glycidyl methacrylate, and triethylene glycol dimethacrylate, respectively with varying concentration of nanoclusters. The clusters and composites were characterized by SEM, TGA, and FTIR analyzes. The results have shown a significant improvement of physical and mechanical properties in composites containing nanoclusters. Increasing nanocluster concentration caused a reduction in composite polymerization shrinkage, water absorption and solubility as well as limited rise of flexural strength. At 50% filler load, nanoclusters doped composites exhibited higher flexural strength than nanoparticles doped composites. Furthermore, the blending of nanoclusters with nanoparticles as fillers produced the composites having the lowest polymerization shrinkage (2.2%) and the highest flexural strength (113.91 MPa). Overall, the synthesized nanoclusters have shown greater performance in comparison with the current available silica nanoparticles.

Development of resin‐based dental composites containing hydroxyapatite and zirconia nanoparticles

“…These are the most widely used particle types because they give positive results with silane coupling agents. [9][10][11] Recently, hydroxyapatite (HA) which is a calcium phosphate-based ceramic and is present in the structure of the tooth has been investigated. Hydroxyapatite is regarded as a suitable choice for fillers thanks to its similarity with teeth and bones and its biological and mechanical properties.…”

“…Silica (SiO 2 ) and borosilicate glasses are used as inorganic filler particles in almost all composites. These are the most widely used particle types because they give positive results with silane coupling agents 9–11 . Recently, hydroxyapatite (HA) which is a calcium phosphate‐based ceramic and is present in the structure of the tooth has been investigated.…”

Development of nanohybrid dental composite containing mesoporous carrier silica particles: Synthesis particles, determination of fluoride adsorption capacities, and addition of the composite

“…[6,9,10] The types of fillers commonly used in dental composites are oxides, and the fillers with the chemical composition of M x O y are mainly silica, alumina, titania, and zirconia. [7,13,14] Among these filling materials, silicon dioxide particles are the most preferred particles in this field due to their osteoconductivity and biocompatibility properties that can increase remineralization. [15][16][17] Dimensionally micro and nano scale silica particles, which are the first fillers used in dentistry; are geometrically particulate, fibrous and newly shaped; amorphous and crystalline according to their crystallinity; and it is possible to classify them as mesoporous and nanoporous depending on the pore size.…”

“…[2][3][4] This class of composites is an important family of biomaterials that develops according to the needs of the biocompatibility and mechanical properties of the materials, and it is a mixture of two main components: organic matrix and inorganic filler. [5][6][7][8][9][10] When we look at commercial dental composites; composites consist of organic matrices formed by the copolymerization of dimethacrylate monomers. The specific properties of the monomers affect the degree of crosslinking and polymerization during network formation.…”