Self-healing Dental Composite Research Articles

A Review on the Current State of Microcapsule-Based Self-Healing Dental Composites.

Resin-based dental composites, commonly used in dentistry, offer several advantages including minimally invasive application, esthetically pleasing appearance, and good physical and mechanical properties. However, these dental composites can be susceptible to microcracks due to various factors in the complex oral environment. These microcracks can potentially lead to clinical restoration failure. Conventional materials and methods are inadequate for detecting and repairing these microcracks in situ. Consequently, incorporating self-healing properties into dental composites has become a necessity. Recent years have witnessed rapid advancements in self-healing polymer materials, drawing inspiration from biological bionics. Microcapsule-based self-healing dental composites (SHDCs) represent some of the most prevalent types of self-healing materials utilized in this domain. In this article, we undertake a comprehensive review of the most recent literature, highlighting key insights and findings related to microcapsule-based SHDCs. Our discussion centers particularly on the preparation techniques, application methods, and the promising future of self-healing microcapsules in the field of dentistry.

Fatigue behaviour of a self-healing dental composite.

Novel self-healing resin-based composites containing microcapsules have been developed to improve the mechanical performance of dental restorations. However, the long-term fatigue behaviour of these self-healing composites has still been hardly investigated. Therefore, this manuscript studied the fatigue behaviour of self-healing composites containing microcapsules by subjecting the specimens to traditional staircase tests and ageing in a custom-designed chewing simulator (Rub&Roll) to simulate oral ageing physiologically relevant conditions. To prepare self-healing composite, poly(urea-formaldehyde) microcapsules containing acrylic self-healing liquids were synthesized. Subsequently, these microcapsules (10wt%) and initiator (benzoyl peroxide, BPO, 2wt%) were incorporated into a commercial flowable resin-based composite. Microcapsule-free resin-based composites with and without BPO were also prepared as control specimens. A three-point flexural test was used to measure the initial flexural strength (Sinitial). Subsequently, half of the specimens were used for fatigue testing using a common staircase approach to measure the fatigue strengths (FS). In addition, the other specimens were aged in the Rub&Roll machine for four weeks where after the final flexural strength (Sfinal) was measured. Compared to Sinitial, FS of all tested specimens significantly decreased as measured through staircase testing. After 4 weeks of ageing in the Rub&Roll machine, Sfinal was significantly reduced compared to Sinitial for microcapsule-free resin-based composites, but not for the self-healing composites (p=0.3658). However, the self-healing composites are still in the experimental phase characterized by a low mechanical strength, which still impedes further clinical translation. Self-healing composites containing microcapsules exhibit improved fatigue resistance compared to microcapsule-free non-self-healing composites.

Towards the development of self-healing and antibacterial dental nanocomposites via incorporation of novel acrylic microcapsules

ObjectiveThe main aim of the current work was to develop the novel self-healing dental composites contained poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) microcapsules. The effects of PMMA microcapsule content in self-healing performance and mechanical properties of dental composites including flexural strength, flexural modulus, and fracture toughness were discussed. The antibacterial activity and non-toxicity properties of optimum self-healing dental composites were also investigated. MethodsNovel acrylic microcapsules were prepared using triethylene glycol dimethacrylate (TEGDMA) as healing agent and PMMA as microcapsule shell via solvent evaporation method. The silica nanoparticles with the mean size of 15–20 nm were treated by 3-methacryloxypropyltrimethoxysilane (MPS) to enhance their adhesion and dispersion within the acrylic matrix of composite. Acrylic microcapsules with mass fractions of 0%, 5%, 10%, and 15% were added into a mixture of acrylic resins and MPS-grafted SiO2 nanoparticles. The strength and elastic modulus of dental composites were measured by the flexural test. The single edge V-notched beam (SEVNB) method was applied to investigate fracture toughness (KIC) and healing efficiency. The results were then statistically analyzed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) at the confidence level of 0.95. ResultsAcrylic microcapsules were synthesized with the mean size around 30 µm and the core content of about 15 wt%. The grafting percentage of MPS surface modifier onto SiO2 nanoparticles was measured 3.2%. The incorporation of PMMA microcapsules into the dental composites had no significant effect on flexural properties. The self-healing dental composites also indicated the high efficient healing performance in the range of 78–121%. The self-healing dental composites also exhibited impressive antibacterial activity against Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans). The MTT assay also revealed that the incorporation of acrylic microcapsules in dental composites has no cytotoxicity effects. SignificanceIn the current study, for the first time, the self-healing dental nanocomposites contained acrylic microcapsules were prepared with excellent healing performance and antibacterial properties.

Microbially induced calcium carbonate precipitation to design a new type of bio self-healing dental composite.

Crack propagation is one of the issues associating with dental composites which can significantly affect their performance. Current solutions for preventing and stopping the cracks include maximizing the filler to matrix ratio as well as fiber reinforcing of composites which are not always reliable. The precipitation of calcium carbonate (CaCO3) minerals by the generally recognized as safe (GRAS) bacteria can be seen as a novel approach to address this shortcoming. In the present study, the effect of microbially induced calcium carbonate precipitation (MICP) on filling dental composites' cracks and cavities was studied. In this first step, the capability of different GRAS bacteria to induce CaCO3 precipitation was investigated. In the next step, the capability of potent bacteria to initiate MCIP in solid matrix was evaluated. For this purpose, the CaCO3-bacteria along with necessary nutrients were introduced into different dental composites in two ways, namely, powder and paste form. The light-cured composites were analyzed using optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy-dispersive X-ray (EDS) to identify and characterize the precipitated CaCO3 crystals. It was shown that the incorporation of powder healing compound in two composites resulted in precipitation of CaCO3, while no crystals were formed when a paste form of healing compound was mixed with composites. The results evidently show that MICP can be a feasible alternative to current inefficient approaches to address microcracking issues in dental composites.

Effect of Incorporation of Self-Healing Microcapsules to Experimental Resin Composite on Some Mechanical Properties

Purpose: The present study aimed to investigate the effect of incorporation of the new Triethylene glycoldimethacrylate and N,N-Bis(2-hydroxyethyl)-p-toluidine (TEGDMA)- (DHEPT) in polyurea formaldehyde (PUF) micro-capsules into an experimental dental resin composite on the flexural strength and fracture toughness and the evaluation of its self- healing efficacy. Materials and Methods: Polyurea formaldehyde microcapsules were synthesized by insitu polymerization technique, encapsulating a triethylene glycol dimethacrylate and dihydroxy ethyl para toluidine (TEGDMA–DHEPT) as a healing liquid, then experimental composite resin is prepared. Microcapsules are incorporated in the resin composite with concentrations 0%, 2.5%, 5%, 7.5% and 10%, then experimental resin composite specimens were fabricated. Fracture toughness and flexural strength were examined by three point loading using universal testing machine till fracture. The fracture toughness was evaluated by using single edge V-notched beam method, self healing efficacy is evaluated as the ratio between the healed fracture toughness and the virgin fracture toughness. Results: Regarding flexural strength results, it was found that the 0% group has the highest flexural strength while the 10% group had the lowest flexural strength. On the other hand, on evaluating the results, of 7.5% group it was found that this concentration did not affect the flexural strength remarkably. Regarding the virgin fracture toughness results, 0% group has the highest flexural strength, while the 10% group the lowest flexural strength, specimens were fractured and healed, then fractured again to measure the healed fracture toughness, on examining the results of the healed fracture toughness, it was found that no significant difference between 0% and 2.5% as no healing occur at such specimen, Also the results showed that the highest healed fracture toughness was in 5%, followed by 7.5%, followed by 10%. The self-healing efficacy increased to a recovery of about 75% in KIC when the microcapsule mass fraction was increased from 5% to 7.5% till reaching 10% concentration. Conclusions: In light of restoration fracture as one of the primary failure reasons, the novel self-healing dental composite may be promising to heal crack damages and to prolong the durability of the restoration clinically.

Durability of self-healing dental composites: A comparison of performance under monotonic and cyclic loading

Durability is an important quality of dental restorative materials, and the ability to autonomously heal damage incurred during their oral function is highly desirable. ObjectiveThe objective was to evaluate the improvement in durability of self-healing dental composites (SHDCs) in terms of their resistance to fracture and capacity for healing of damage under monotonic and cyclic loading. MethodsSHDCs were prepared by incorporating dental resin composites with microcapsules containing healing liquid. Control specimens with the same mass fraction (5% and 25%) of microcapsules filled with water were also evaluated. Two sets of SHDCs were distinguished by the silane coupling agents that functionalized and bonded the microcapsules to resin network. One set used a methacrylate silane (MA-silane) that connected resin network through covalent bonds, and the other used a H-bonding forming hydroxyl silane (OH-silane). The fatigue crack growth resistance was assessed in terms of the threshold stress intensity range and the conventional Paris Law parameters. Cyclic loading was conducted at 5 Hz with maximum cyclic load ranged between approximately 1 N and 5 N. The efficiency of the autonomous healing was determined per the recovering of the fracture toughness and the extension of fatigue life. ResultsThe SHDCs with 5 wt% of healing microcapsules exhibited a larger fracture toughness than those with 25 wt% microcapsules. MA-silane SHDCs had approximately five times more responsive microcapsules triggered by fracturing of the composites. Consequently, the MA-silane SHDCs with 5 wt% of microcapsules achieved the best performance in terms of fracture toughness and healing efficiency. In regards to the fatigue crack growth behavior, there was a significant increase in the resistance to fatigue crack growth and 580 ± 15% improvement in the fatigue life. SignificanceStrong silanization is vital in SHDCs to simultaneously achieve clinically applicable mechanical performance and substantial healing capability. Moreover, the evaluation of self-healing under cyclic loading is a promising tool in quantifying the degree of fracture-induced healing.

Clinically Applicable Self-Healing Dental Resin Composites

ABSTRACTSelf-healing is one of the most desired material properties. Herein, we present the design and development of a new self-healing dental composite (SHDC) that can heal micro-cracks autonomously. The SHDC has two functional components in addition to contemporary dental composites: healing powder (HP) and healing liquid (HL) encapsulated in silica microcapsules. The autonomous healing is triggered by micro-cracks which fracture microcapsules in their propagation path and release the HL. As a consequence, the released HL dissolves and reacts with the HP, and then fill the micro-cracks with a cement-like new material. This 3-step crack-release-heal process prevents micro-cracks from causing restoration failure, thus improving the service life of dental restorative material. The mechanical performance of the SHDC prepared were evaluated in terms of elastic modulus and fracture toughness, which were in the upper level compared to commercial dental restorative materials, and the self-healing capability was confirmed through fracture toughness recovery test. In addition, the SHDCs were made with clinically-tested, biocompatible materials, which makes them readily applicable as medical devices.

Effects of water-aging on self-healing dental composite containing microcapsules

ObjectivesThe objectives of this study were to develop a self-healing dental composite containing poly(urea-formaldehyde) (PUF) shells with triethylene glycol dimethacrylate (TEGDMA) and N,N-dihydroxyethyl-p-toluidine (DHEPT) as healing liquid, and to investigate the mechanical properties of the composite and its self-healing efficacy after water-aging for 6 months. MethodsPUF microspheres were synthesized encapsulating a TEGDMA–DHEPT healing liquid. Composite containing 30% of a resin matrix and 70% of glass fillers by mass was incorporated with 0%, 2.5%, 5%, 7.5% and 10% of microcapsules. A flexural test was used to measure flexural strength and elastic modulus. A single edge V-notched beam method was used to measure fracture toughness (KIC) and self-healing efficacy. Specimens were water-aged at 37°C for 1 day to 6 months and then tested for self-healing. Fractured specimens were healed while being immersed in water to examine self-healing efficacy, in comparison with that in air. ResultsIncorporation of up to 7.5% of microcapsules into the resin composite achieved effective self-healing, without adverse effects on the virgin mechanical properties of the composite (p>0.1). An excellent self-healing efficacy of 64–77% recovery was obtained (mean±sd; n=6). Six months of water-aging did not decrease the self-healing efficacy compared to 1 day (p>0.1). Exposure to water did not decrease the healing efficacy, compared to that healed in air (p>0.1). ConclusionsA composite was developed with excellent self-healing efficacy even while being immersed in water. The self-healing efficacy did not decrease with increasing water-aging time for 6 months. Clinical significanceThe novel self-healing composite may be promising for dental applications to heal cracks, resist fracture, and increase the durability and longevity.

Design and development of self-healing dental composites

The purpose of this project is to design and develop a clinically applicable self-healing dental composite (SHDC). The value of resin-based dental restorations could be improved by increasing their service lives. One way to improve longevity is to obturate micro-cracks that form during or after the composite hardens in the dental cavity. Toward this end, we introduce here a new type of SHDC made with contemporary dental components plus two additional ingredients: a healing powder (HP, strontium fluoroaluminosilicate particles) and a healing liquid (HL, aqueous solutions of polyacrylic acids) that is enclosed within silica microcapsules. As micro-cracks develop, they will break the microcapsules in their propagation path, thereby releasing HL. This liquid will then react with particles of HP exposed by the crack formation, forming an insoluble reaction product that fills and seals the cracks. The key factors to achieve these self-healing of cracks are discussed. The elastic modulus of a SHDC appeared to be satisfactory. The healing process was confirmed by means of mechanical, morphological, and chemical methods. The SHDC restored micro-cracks without external intervention, thereby showing potential for increasing the service lives of dental restorations. Importantly, this SHDC contains only clinically-tested, biocompatible materials, making it readily applicable.