Composites of fluoroapatite and methylmethacrylate-based polymers (PMMA) for biomimetic tooth replacement

Bioinspir Biomim. 2016 May 9;11(3):035001. doi: 10.1088/1748-3190/11/3/035001.

Abstract

Synthetic composite materials that mimic the structure and composition of mammalian tooth enamel were prepared by mixing fluoroapatite rods (diameter 2-3 μm, thickness about 0.5 μm) and methylmethacrylate (MMA), followed by polymerization either during or immediately after ultracentrifugation, using either a tertiary amine/radical initiator for polymerization at room temperature or a radical initiator for thermal polymerization. This led to mineral-rich composites (mineral content between 50 and 75 wt%). To enhance the mechanical stability and the interaction between fluoroapatite and polymer matrix, small amounts of differently functionalized MMA monomers were added to the co-monomer mixture. Another approach was the coating of the fluoroapatite rods with silica and the polymerization in the presence of a siloxane-functionalized MMA monomer. The hardness of the composites was about 0.2-0.4 GPa as determined by Vickers indentation tests, about 2 times higher than the polymer matrix alone. The composites had a good resistance against acids (60 min at pH 3, 37 °C).

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acids / chemistry*
  • Acrylic Resins / chemical synthesis*
  • Animals
  • Apatites / chemistry*
  • Biomimetic Materials / chemical synthesis*
  • Composite Resins / chemical synthesis*
  • Corrosion
  • Dental Enamel / chemistry*
  • Hardness
  • Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
  • Materials Testing
  • Polymethyl Methacrylate / chemistry*
  • Polyurethanes / chemical synthesis*
  • Sharks

Substances

  • Acids
  • Acrylic Resins
  • Apatites
  • Composite Dental Resin
  • Composite Resins
  • Polyurethanes
  • Polymethyl Methacrylate
  • fluorapatite