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Project

Towards a new generation of BIOSAFE and BIOACTIVE composites for tooth restoration

Resin composite is currently the most widely used material in dentistry, enabling minimally invasive and invisible tooth restoration. However, there is a particular safety concern regarding the release of the endocrine disruptor 'bisphenol A' (BPA). BPA can be present in composites as production contaminant and/or degradation product, originating from BPA-based monomers such as BisGMA. The latter serves as a polymerization 'cross-linker' and is a main monomer matrix ingredient of today's commercial dental composites. Thanks to a recent KU Leuven research & development breakthrough, BPA-free bi-aromatic diols have been synthesized from wood and appear very promising to replace BisGMA with even the potential to further improve the physico-mechanical properties of composite. Besides improved biocompatibility, there exists a definite need to upgrade dental composite with therapeutic function. Resin composite with antibacterial and/or remineralization potential to prevent secondary caries and eventually to extend the longevity of composite restorations is highly desirable. A self-developed method using Na-montmorillonite clay as a carrier for gradual antibacterial agent delivery as well as dual-functional bioactive glass filler possessing both antibacterial properties and remineralization capability are innovative technologies that will be employed to develop a new generation of BIOSAFE and BIOACTIVE dental composites.

Date:1 Jan 2020 →  31 Dec 2023
Keywords:tooth restoration, Resin composite, bisphenol A, Na-montmorillonite clay
Disciplines:Natural and biocomposites, Polymer composites, Materials processing, Destructive and non-destructive testing of materials, Dental materials and equipment