Functionalized ORMOCER® - resins as basis for highly aesthetic, load-stable and biocompatible dental materials

Objectives: To be applicable as permanent dental prostheses suitable composite materials have to meet excellent biocompatibility, high mechanic characteristics and a tooth-like aesthetics/translucency adapted to the different areas of the tooth (dentine and enamel). To realize all these requirements the aim of this study was the development of monomer-free hybrid composites with high flexural strength and translucency based on ORMOCER®-resins with different functionalizations. Methods: Flexural strength/Young's modulus of the ORMOCER®-resins/-composites were determined using a three point bending test according to ISO 4049. Translucency was measured by use of a spectrophotometer and the refractive indices by means of an Abbe-refractometer (589 nm, 20°C). Investigations on biocompatibility were performed with the help of WST-1-/ BrdU-test [1]. Results: Compared to the basic resin/composite the functionalized analogues show a significantly higher flexural strength and translucency due to the higher amount of C=C-groups and the adapted refractive indices as well as an excellent biocompatibility according to WST-1-/ BrdU-test [1]. Conclusion: By functionalizing the monomer-free ORMOCER®-resins in combination with an individualized particle system biocompatible hybrid composites can be adjusted in their mechanical/optical characteristics for the different layers of teeth (dentine and enamel) and represent an excellent basis for a load-stable and highly aesthetic dental prostheses such as multilayered crowns or artificial teeth.