Effect of the Incorporation of Compounds into Digitally Manufactured Dental Materials—A Systematic Review

Abstract

The aim of this review was to evaluate if the properties of digitally produced dental acrylic resins improved when reinforced with compounds. A literature search was conducted in PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus databases for the past 10 years. Combinations of keywords were chosen to reflect the PICO question: Do digitally produced dental acrylic resins loaded with compounds have better mechanical, surface and/or biological properties than resins without compounds? The selection was carried out by two independent researchers according to the PRISMA flowchart and specific eligibility criteria. Results: The 19 in vitro studies included dealt with incorporated compounds such as zirconium dioxide nanoparticles, graphene nanoplatelets, and zwitterionic compounds. It was found that some compounds had a negative impact on the mechanical and surface properties, while others showed improvements. Most of the loaded resins had more effective antimicrobial activity compared to the controls. There were also differences in biocompatibility depending on the type of compound incorporated. The compounds affect the mechanical and surface properties of loaded acrylic resins, depending on the type and concentration of the compound. In the case of antimicrobial activity and biocompatibility, the results depended on other factors than the chemical composition of the compound included in the resin.