Objectives: We characterized the optical properties, such as absorbance and fluorescence, of dental resins containing quantum dots (QD). We also determined the doping level needed to obtain a broad and nearly flat emission spectrum that provides the perception of white color.
Methods: The samples studied were resin composites from Charisma (Heraeus Kulzer) prepared with CdSe/ZnS core-shell QD (0.05-0.77 mass%).
Results: The results showed that the fluorescence of dental resin composites can be tailored by using CdSe/ZnS core-shell quantum dots.
Conclusion: QD core incorporation into dental resins allows the fabrication of restorative materials with fluorescence properties that closely match those of natural human teeth.
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