Development of functional fillers as a self-healing system for dental resin composite

Andressa Goicochea Moreira; Carlos Enrique Cuevas-Suárez; Juliana Silva Ribeiro; Julianne Bartz Maass; Evandro Piva; Rafael Ratto de Moraes; Marco Cícero Bottino; Giana da Silveira Lima

doi:10.1016/j.jdent.2022.104313

Development of functional fillers as a self-healing system for dental resin composite

J Dent. 2022 Dec:127:104313. doi: 10.1016/j.jdent.2022.104313. Epub 2022 Oct 5.

Authors

Andressa Goicochea Moreira¹, Carlos Enrique Cuevas-Suárez², Juliana Silva Ribeiro³, Julianne Bartz Maass¹, Evandro Piva¹, Rafael Ratto de Moraes¹, Marco Cícero Bottino⁴, Giana da Silveira Lima⁵

Affiliations

¹ Graduate Program in Dentistry, School of Dentistry, Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.
² Dental Materials Laboratory, Academic Area of Dentistry, Autonomous University of Hidalgo State, Mexico.
³ Department of Dentistry, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil.
⁴ Department of Cariology, Restorative Sciences, and Endodontics, University of Michigan School of Dentistry, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States.
⁵ Graduate Program in Dentistry, School of Dentistry, Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Electronic address: gianalima@gmail.com.

PMID: 36208856
DOI: 10.1016/j.jdent.2022.104313

Abstract

Objectives: To evaluate the incorporation of repairing capsules containing different monomers and polymerization modulators on the self-healing efficiency of an experimental photopolymerizable resin-based composite.

Methods: Self-healing capsules containing different monomers and polymerization modulators were prepared by emulsion polymerization: TC_DHEPT (TEGDMA and DHEPT), BTC_DHEPT (Bis-GMA, TEGDMA, and DHEPT), and BTC_BPO (Bis-GMA, TEGDMA, and BPO). The capsules were analyzed through Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The capsules were added into experimental photopolymerizable resin composites establishing the following groups: ER (Control without capsules), ER+BPO, ER+BPO+TC_DHEPT, and ER+BTC_BPO+BTC_DHEPT. Filtek Z350 resin composite (3 M ESPE) was used as a commercial reference. The materials were tested for degree of conversion (DC), flexural strength (σf), elastic modulus (Ef), fracture toughness (virgin K_IC), self-healing efficiency (healed K_IC), and roughness. For statistical analysis, the significance value was established at an a = 0.05 level.

Results: When compared to the control material, the incorporation of repairing capsules did not affect DC, σf, and Ef. Fracture toughness was statistically similar between the experimental groups (p ≤ 0.05). Healed K_IC was statistically different between the groups ER+TC_DHEP and ER+BTC_BPO+BTC_DHEPT; the self-healing efficiency was higher for ER+TC_DHEPT. Surface roughness was statistically similar among all groups.

Conclusions: The use of self-healing capsules promoted repair of the material. Studies with material aging after the self-healing process are necessary to better demonstrate the effectiveness of this system.

Clinical significance: The self-healing system seemed to be a promising technology to be used in self-repaired restorative materials, which may prevent restoration fractures.

Keywords: Biomaterials; Capsules; Fracture toughness recovery; Mechanical properties; Polymerizable healing liquid; Self-healing dental composite.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Bisphenol A-Glycidyl Methacrylate / chemistry
Capsules / chemistry
Composite Resins* / chemistry
Dental Materials / chemistry
Materials Testing
Methacrylates / chemistry
Polyethylene Glycols / chemistry
Polymethacrylic Acids* / chemistry

Substances

triethylene glycol dimethacrylate
Bisphenol A-Glycidyl Methacrylate
Composite Resins
Polymethacrylic Acids
Polyethylene Glycols
Dental Materials
Capsules
Methacrylates