Advanced Polymeric Composites in Dentistry: Synthesis, Properties, and Applications
A special issue of Polymers (ISSN 2073-4360). This special issue belongs to the section "Polymer Composites and Nanocomposites".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 June 2022) | Viewed by 91408
Special Issue Editors
Interests: dental composite materials, FRCs (fiber reinforced composites), mechanical properties
Interests: fiber reinforced composites; dental materials
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Interests: fiber reinforeced composites; biomechanics
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
The polymeric materials has been used in dentistry for decades. Due to easthetic demands they have lately become even more popular. Unfortunately, the mechanical properties, handling, and need for chair-side curing of these composite restorations leave a lot of space for improvement, particularly in terms of mechanical properties, polymerization shrinkage and polymerization-induced stress, fracture, abrasion and wear resistance, marginal leakage, discoloration, and biocompatbility. These limitaions shorten the lifespan of a composite restoration and are the driving force behind advancements in dental composites. Attempts have been made to modify the monomer matrix or filler technology in oreder to improve overall properties of dental composits. One of these attemps is by using fibre-reinforced composites (FRCs). Fibres are used to improve the durability of composites by enhancing the toughness, which is a key property; having direct correlation with clinical success of composite restorations. Several parameters, including the fibre volume fraction and fibre direction, have a substantial impact on the mechanical properties of FRCs which can be anisotropic, orthotropic, or isotropic. The fibres can vary in composition (carbon, polyamide, polyethylene, and glass) and form (long or short), depending on the final application of the material. Short fibres are typically used to reinforce restorative materials, while long fibres increase the mechanical properties of dental appliances used at application requiring high mechanical properties. Since FRCs are used in various fields (restorative dentistry, prosthodontics, orthodontics, periodontology, etc.), the requirements set for materials also vary greatly. Not only the fibres but also the resin/polymer matrix, particulate fillers, and particularly the surface treatment of fibres and fillers affect the final properties of the FRCs.
Contemporary restorative dentistry uses direct or indirect bilayered restorations to restore lost tooth tissue with biomimetics as the new driving force. From a biomimetic point of view, the use of short FRC as dentin-replacing material appears to be a promising treatment strategy and may solve some potential problems associated with conventional composite restoration in high stress-bearing areas.
Based on such factors, this Special Issue is intended to cover the topic of polymeric composites, like FRCs, in dentistry from various perspectives; synthesis, properties and applications. Researchers, scientists, and clinicans are encouraged to contribute original research papers, clinical trials or reports, reviews, and meta-analyses that will promote the continuation of fiber reinforcement technology in dentistry.
Potential topics of this Special Issue include but are not limited to the following:
- Resin synthesis
- Physical and mechanical properties
- Composite processing
- Polymer–fibre interphase/fibre sizing
- Biomimetic restoration
- Clinical applications and requirements
Dr. Eija Säilynoja
Dr. Sufyan Garoushi
Dr. Lippo Lassila
Guest Editors
Keywords
- polymeric composite
- fibre-reinforced composite (FRC)
- synthesis
- mechanical properties
- reinforcement
- dental application
- clinical success
- restoration durability
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