Hyperbranched polymer-based dental composites: an approach for low-shrinkage, high-strength restorative materials
摘要
Secondary caries is a common side effect of dental restorative composites (DRCs) caused by high polymerization shrinkage (PS) that occurs after curing, and low strength that limits longevity under simulated oral conditions. DRCs are crucially influenced by their organic matrix; thus, this work evaluates the integration of hyperbranched polyamine-ester (HBPE) bearing rigid benzene rings, cross-linkable methacrylate, and urethane moieties that synthesized from 1,1,1-trimethylolpropane as core with N, N-bis(2-hydroxyethyl)-3-aminopropyl methacrylate to contain 12 terminal hydroxyl groups then modified them by 2,4-toluene diisocyanate (TDI) and hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA). HBPE used as co-monomer with conventional Bisphenol A- glycidyl methacrylate (Bis-GMA)/ Diurethane dimethacrylate (UDMA)/ Tri(ethylene glycol) dimethacrylate (TEGDMA) (50/30/20, 30 wt.% refer as BUT) organic matrix, and incorporates micron barium glass powder (BPG) -nano silica (SiO2) filler particles (µm: nm, 56:14, 70 wt. %), followed by investigating the resultant composite material’s performance under simulative oral conditions characterized by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR), precision balance, Electronic Universal Testing Machine, etc. Results indicated a significant reduction in PS (1.21%) following the incorporation of 20 wt.% HBPE into the BUT resin matrix. The mechanical properties (flexural and compressive strength) and hardness in salivary media over a month remained as high as 116.9 MPa, 307.8 MPa, and 628.95 MPa, respectively. Low solubility (1.03 μg/mm3): the bisphenol A (BPA) remains undetectable by GC–MS and exhibits profitable biological properties. The HBPE organic monomer is intended to lay a solid groundwork for future commercialization, combining durability and practicality as an advanced dental filling with low shrinkage and high strength properties.