Mechanical properties of experimental dental composites containing a combination of mesoporous and nonporous spherical silica as fillers

Samuel, Solomon Praveen; Li, Shuxi; Mukherjee, Indraneil; Guo, Yi; Patel, Alpa C.; Baran, George; Wei, Yen

doi:10.1016/j.dental.2008.07.012

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Volume 25, Issue 3 , Pages 296-301, March 2009

Mechanical properties of experimental dental composites containing a combination of mesoporous and nonporous spherical silica as fillers

Solomon Praveen Samuel
- Department of Chemistry, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Albert Einstein Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA 19141, USA
Shuxi Li
- Department of Chemistry, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
Indraneil Mukherjee
- Department of Chemistry, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
Yi Guo
- Department of Chemistry, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
Alpa C. Patel
- Department of Chemistry, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
George Baran
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19122, USA
Yen Wei
- Department of Chemistry, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Corresponding author at: Department of Chemistry, Drexel University, 3141 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA. Tel.: +1 215 895 2650; fax: +1 215 895 1265.

Received 10 April 2008; received in revised form 9 July 2008; accepted 17 July 2008.

Abstract

Objectives

Mesoporous fillers have been investigated for use in dental composites because of their potential for creating micromechanical filler/resin matrix interphase bonding. Such a micromechanical bonding could eliminate the need for the silane treatment of fillers for interfacial chemical bonding that is prone to hydrolysis in the oral environment. In the case of micromechanical bonding, dental polymer chains are threaded mechanically (like a “necklace”) through nanosized channels in the fillers.

Methods

A combination of mesoporous silica, which was synthesized using the non-surfactant templating method, and nonporous spherical silica (500nm) was used to prepare experimental dental composites. The porous silica used in this study contained interconnected pores and channels as opposed to porous fillers containing surface pores. The compressive strength, compressive modulus, flexural modulus, and flexural strength of these composites were evaluated.

Results

The results showed that composites containing a combination of mesoporous and nonporous fillers have better mechanical properties than the composites having either of these fillers alone.

Significance

The results showed that a combination of mesoporous and nonporous materials can be used to prepare stronger dental materials that may resist hydrolysis and wear.

Keywords: Dental composite, Mesoporous fillers, Non-surfactant Template, Micromechanical interphase bonding