Properties of A Model Self-Healing Microcapsule-Based Dental Composite Reinforced with Silica Nanoparticles.

AIM

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the mechanical properties of an experimental self-healing dental composite model (SHDC) composed of SiO nanoparticles with varying percentages of triethylene glycol dimethacrylate (TEGDMA) monomer and ,-dihydroxyethyl--toluidine (DHEPT) amine microcapsules.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Microcapsules were prepared by in-situ polymerisation of PUF shells, as explained in our previous work. The model SHDC included bisphenol A glycidyl dimethacrylate (Bis-GMA:TEGDMA) (1:1), 1 wt% phenyl bis(2,4,6-trimethylbenzoyl) phosphine oxide (BAPO), 0.5 wt% benzoyl peroxide (BPO) catalyst, 20 wt% silanised silica dioxide (SiO) (15 nm) and (0, 2.5, 5, 7.5, 10 wt%) of microcapsules (120 ± 45 μm). Light transmission, hardness, degree of conversion (DC), flexural strength and elastic modulus of the SHDC model were measured.

RESULTS

The degree of conversion of the SHDC ranged from 73 to 76% 24 h after polymerisation. Hardness measurements ranged from 22 to 26 VHN ( > 0.05); however, the flexural strength was adversely affected from 80 to 55 MPa with increasing microcapsules of up to 10 wt% in the composites ( < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Only flexural strength decreased drastically ~30% with increasing microcapsules (>10 wt%) in the composites. All other measured properties were not significantly affected. Accordingly, we recommend a stronger composite material that could be created by increasing the filler content distribution in order to achieve a hybrid self-healing composite with enhanced mechanical properties.