Aug 2026· BioNanoScience· Vol 16· 0 citations· 46 references
TL;DR
The synergistic incorporation of functionalized halloysite nanotubes and mesoporous silica significantly improved the overall performance of the dental composite resin, indicating its potential for restorative dental applications.
Glass ionomer cements (GICs) are widely used in restorative dentistry because of their chemical adhesion to dental tissues and fluoride release. However, their clinical performance may be limited by insufficient mechanical strength, reduced durability under occlusal loading, and aesthetic concerns. Nanoparticle reinforcement may help address these limitations. This study screened hybrid tri-nanofiller formulations containing nano-hydroxyapatite (nHA), nano-zirconium oxide (nZrO₂), and nano-aluminum oxide (nAl₂O₃) in Fuji IX GIC to identify an optimized formulation using a sequential screening approach. Surface characteristics, structural features, cytocompatibility, and color stability were also evaluated. One unmodified Fuji IX control and sixteen experimental subgroups were prepared in a 4 × 4 comparative screening matrix using four tri-nanofiller formulations and four total nanoparticle loadings: 3, 5, 7, and 9 wt%. In the first stage, all subgroups were screened using compressive strength (CS) and diametral tensile strength (DTS). Mechanical data were analyzed using within-loading one-way ANOVA with Tukey's HSD post hoc test, and two-way ANOVA was additionally performed to assess the effects of formulation, loading concentration, and their interaction. Based on mechanical screening, the G4 formulation was selected for further evaluation using atomic force microscopy (AFM), cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) cytotoxicity testing on human dental pulp stem cells (hDPSCs), color stability assessment, scanning electron microscopy/energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM/EDS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). G4 at 5 wt% total nanoparticle loading showed the most favorable mechanical performance, with CS = 160.4 ± 7.64 MPa and DTS = 15.66 ± 0.92 MPa. This subgroup corresponded to 95 wt% Fuji IX, 3.5 wt% nZrO₂, 1.0 wt% nHA, and 0.5 wt% nAl₂O₃. SEM/EDS supported nanoparticle incorporation and homogeneous elemental distribution. AFM analysis showed lower surface roughness at 3% and 5% than at higher loadings. The CCK-8 assay showed no significant cytotoxicity for G4 at 3, 5, 7, or 9 wt% compared with the unmodified control. Color stability remained clinically acceptable at 3 and 5 wt%, whereas 7 and 9 wt% showed greater discoloration. The optimized formulation was G4 at 5 wt% total nanoparticle loading, which improved the mechanical performance of Fuji IX GIC while maintaining acceptable cytocompatibility and color stability.
S. Al-hammadi, Mengdi Li, A. Madfa et al.· Scientific Reports· 0 citations
Dental composite resins are widely used in restorative dentistry; however, polymerization shrinkage leads to marginal gaps and reduced bond strength. An expandable hydrogel monomer can reduce shrinkage, but it may lack sufficient mechanical strength when used alone. This study developed a low-shrinkage dental composite by incorporating an expandable hydrogel monomer to counteract volumetric shrinkage after curing, aiming to maintain strong bonding to tooth structure. Polyethylene glycol 400 (PEG 400) was chemically modified with acryloyl chloride to produce diacrylated polyethylene glycol 400 (DAPEG 400) expandable hydrogels, which was formulated with silica filler loadings by weight. Statistical analysis involved the Shapiro–Wilk test and one-way ANOVA. A synthesized expandable monomer with good polymerization shrinkage properties and the incorporation of silica filler significantly enhanced the mechanical properties compared to pure cured DAPEG 400, with flexural and compressive strengths reaching 10.27 MPa (standard deviation (SD) = 0.96) and 441.42 MPa (SD = 2.80), respectively. The composite also demonstrated improved dimensional stability, showing 475.32 μg/mm3 (SD = 22.76) reduction in water absorption and 33.37% (SD = 2.26) decrease in volumetric swelling. Most notably, the optimal formulation containing 60% filler exhibited minimal polymerization shrinkage as low as 1.58% (SD = 0.24). The hydrogel’s water absorption and expansion after curing offset polymerization contraction, while silica filler regulates expansion to prevent cracking.
A. F. Nongman, M. F. Yhaya, Norhafizah Saari et al.· ACS Omega· 0 citations
: Dental caries (or tooth decays) is a common oral disease in early childhood and adults of all ages, which is caused by long-term synergies of acid-producing bacteria and fermentable carbohydrates in the oral environment. The use of existing dental restorative materials (including silver amalgams, light-cured resins, and dental restorative composites) and dental restorative composites (including glass ionomers cement, despite being sealants, releasing fluoride and promoting remineralization) is commercially restricted due to their weak mechanical properties, poor abrasion resistance, low elastic modulus, improper shrinkage, less polishability, brittleness, poor wear resistance tensile strength, aesthetic etc. Therefore, the physical intercalation of nano-fillers with polymer resins in nanocomposites might be a better alternative, mainly due to the high surface area of nanofillers. The present work reports an economical hydro-solvo thermal combinatory method to prepare TiO 2 /PMMA nanocomposites with four distinct wt% (3%, 6%, 9% and 12%) of TiO 2 nanofillers. Their comparative structural, morphological, and functional group analysis was carried out with that of pure PMMA by XRD, AFM, and FTIR, respectively. The physio-mechanical properties of the nanocomposites (including Young modulus, ultimate tensile strength, break strength, hardness value (HV), flexural strength, water absorption, density tests and polymerization shrinkage) were measured using UTM, ASTM D790 standard, the Archimedes method and ASTM D570 standard, respectively. Significant enhancement in Young’s modulus, ultimate tensile strength, break strength, hardness value (HV), and flexural strength were recorded as compared with that of the pure PMMA, achieving the optimum values (1.23 times in Young’s modulus, 2.38 times in UTS, 2.37 times in break strength, and 2 times in HV) for the nanocomposite with 9% TiO 2 nanofiller. Similarly, significant reduction in water adsorption and polymerization shrinkage (linear decrease) was observed with increasing filler (TiO 2 ) contents, which reveals the dimensional stability of nanocomposites, favorable for dental implants, and this is attributed to the effective bonding of TiO 2 nanoparticles with the PMMA matrix. Such a tremendously enhanced physio-mechanical behavior of the TiO 2 /PMMA nanocomposite (particularly with 9 wt% TiO 2 nanofiller) reveals its promising potential for use as a dental restorative material.
Abdul Hakim Shah, H. Khan, M. Alomar et al.· Journal of Polymer Materials· 0 citations
Introduction: Self-curing resin acrylic (SC-AR) is widely used for biomedical appliances, particularly prostheses, due to its rapid manipulation and suitability for single-visit fabrication. However, its relatively low mechanical strength may increase fracture susceptibility. This study evaluated the effect of incorporating 1 wt% polyacrylonitrile polymethyl methacrylate electrospinning nanofibers (e-nanoPAN-PMMA) on the physicochemical, mechanical, and morphological characteristics of SC-AR.
Materials and Methods: SC-AR specimens were divided into conventional SC-AR (SC-ARc) and nano-reinforced SC-AR (SC-ARnano) groups. Chemical characteristics were evaluated using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Flexural strength (FS) and flexural modulus (FM) were assessed using a three-point bending test, while fracture-surface morphology was examined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Data were analyzed using an independent t-test (P≤0.05).
Results and Discussion: SC-ARnano exhibited significantly higher FS and FM than SC-ARc (P≤0.05). XRD patterns showed characteristic polymeric resin features in both groups, with no additional crystalline peaks in SC-ARnano. FTIR revealed a nitrile absorption band in SC-ARnano. SEM demonstrated nanofibers embedded within the resin matrix, with no detectable surface porosity.
Conclusion: Incorporation of 1 wt% e-nanoPAN-PMMA significantly improved the mechanical properties of SC-AR while maintaining its physicochemical characteristics. SC-ARnano demonstrates potential as a reinforced acrylic resin for biomedical applications.
Ira Artilia, Gina Adry Syahira, Z. Y. Dewi et al.· Interdental Jurnal Kedoktera...· 0 citations
OBJECTIVE
Although DLP-based 3D printing shows great potential for dental restorations, it is still limited by poor fracture toughness and excessive shrinkage of denture base resins. Herein, a novel dual-cured resin formulation was proposed to address these issues.
METHODS
The dual-cured liquid resins were prepared by blending photocurable acrylate (A) and thermally curable epoxy (E) resin at special ratios. Initially, the curing process was monitored, and the physical properties of the resin formulations were examined. Then, the mechanical properties were comprehensively investigated with particular emphasis on their correlation with phase distribution. Dimensional stability, printing accuracy, and biocompatibility were further measured.
RESULTS
The hybrid resins exhibited satisfactory curing efficiency, reduced volume shrinkage, and proper wettability. Specifically, compared with the pure acrylate resin, the fracture toughness of maximum stress intensity factor and total fracture work of the A6E4 (mass A: mass E = 6:4) improved by approximately 279% and 59%, respectively. Further investigation of phase distribution revealed an interpenetrating network (IPN) that prolonged the crack propagation path and contributed to the brittle-to-ductile transition of the dual-cured resin. Moreover, the application feasibility of the hybrid resin was proven by the excellent printing accuracy and biosafety.
SIGNIFICANCE
This research verified the feasibility of a dual-cured system for DLP printing denture bases, providing an advanced solution for addressing brittleness and polymerization shrinkage in 3D printing denture base materials.
Ludan Qin, Xueye Liu, Tongtong Ma et al.· Dental Materials· 0 citations
Dental caries is a commonly occurring dental and oral disease that is treated with a therapeutic procedure employed in dental restoration. Dental composite resins are considered a suitable material for dental restorations owing to their aesthetic appeal, biocompatibility, and favorable physical and mechanical characteristics. The aim of this work is to characterize composite resins using silicon dioxide (SiO
2
) filler as the main constituent, along with titanium dioxide (TiO
2
) as supplementary additives. The composite resins are fabricated through the silanization of fillers, followed by mixing the resin matrix to generate a paste‐like substance. The obtained pastes are molded and exposed to a 20‐s blue light. Composite I consists of 55% SiO
2
, while composite II contains 50% SiO
2
and 5% TiO
2
. Several techniques are performed for characterization, including scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), Vickers hardness test, and polymerization shrinkage. The results showed that composite I has the highest degree of conversion and Vickers hardness values, while composite II shows the lowest shrinkage volume.
S. F. Rahman, Yori Rachmia Riva, E. S. Yulianti et al.· Macromolecular Symposia· 0 citations
