Biodegradable polymeric ion–releasing fillersWhy Is This Important?

Background: Dentists spend considerable time treating issues stemming from caries, especially recurrent caries. European Union regulations require microplastics to be biodegradable. The goal of this research is to develop biodegradable, ion-releasing fillers that could be incorporated into dental ma...

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Main Authors: Hannah Reynolds, BS, Bryanna Bravo, BS, Germelle Fulford, MS, Ana Martinez, BS, Mark A. Latta, MS, DMD, Stephen M. Gross, BS, PhD
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-01-01
Series:JADA Foundational Science
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2772414X25000040
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author Hannah Reynolds, BS
Bryanna Bravo, BS
Germelle Fulford, MS
Ana Martinez, BS
Mark A. Latta, MS, DMD
Stephen M. Gross, BS, PhD
author_facet Hannah Reynolds, BS
Bryanna Bravo, BS
Germelle Fulford, MS
Ana Martinez, BS
Mark A. Latta, MS, DMD
Stephen M. Gross, BS, PhD
author_sort Hannah Reynolds, BS
collection DOAJ
description Background: Dentists spend considerable time treating issues stemming from caries, especially recurrent caries. European Union regulations require microplastics to be biodegradable. The goal of this research is to develop biodegradable, ion-releasing fillers that could be incorporated into dental materials that aid in remineralization of teeth. Methods: Polymeric ion–releasing fillers (PIRFs) that released calcium from a dental composite were prepared. These fillers were synthesized from a biodegradable polymer obtained from a renewable resource (alginate) and are capable of releasing calcium ions. Synthetic variables included the concentration of reactants, emulsifying agents, and applied shear rate. PIRFs were incorporated into dental formulations and categorized by scanning electron microscopy, ion release, degree of conversion, depth of cure, and viscosity measurements. Results: Scanning electron microscopic images confirmed the successful isolation of the PIRFs from synthesis and subsequent mixing into a bisphenol A glycidyl methacrylate and triethylene glycol dimethacrylate continuous phase that was converted into a dental composite. The degree of conversion and depth of cure measurements were consistent with those of a typical dental material, showing the viability of adding PIRFs to dental composites. The effect of mixing the PIRFs on the viscosity of the continuous phase was measured. The addition of up to 5 wt/wt% of these fillers did not significantly increase viscosity, allowing for inclusion into a wide array of dental materials. Incorporation led to pseudoplastic behavior, in which the viscosity decreased with increased shear rate. The incorporation of PIRFs leads to rheopectic behavior at low shear rates and thixotropic behavior at higher rates. Conclusions: Biodegradable PIRFs are a promising approach to help prevent caries.
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spelling doaj-art-71a0e0883abb4871ab9af65c6ecf0ab22025-08-20T03:10:25ZengElsevierJADA Foundational Science2772-414X2025-01-01410004710.1016/j.jfscie.2025.100047Biodegradable polymeric ion–releasing fillersWhy Is This Important?Hannah Reynolds, BS0Bryanna Bravo, BS1Germelle Fulford, MS2Ana Martinez, BS3Mark A. Latta, MS, DMD4Stephen M. Gross, BS, PhD5Department of Chemistry, College of Arts and Sciences, Creighton University, Omaha, NEDepartment of Chemistry, College of Arts and Sciences, Creighton University, Omaha, NEDepartment of Oral Biology, School of Dentistry, Creighton University, Omaha, NEDepartment of Chemistry, College of Arts and Sciences, Creighton University, Omaha, NEDepartment of Oral Biology, School of Dentistry, Creighton University, Omaha, NEDepartment of Chemistry, College of Arts and Sciences, Creighton University, Omaha, NE; Department of Oral Biology, School of Dentistry, Creighton University, Omaha, NE; Address correspondence to Dr Gross.Background: Dentists spend considerable time treating issues stemming from caries, especially recurrent caries. European Union regulations require microplastics to be biodegradable. The goal of this research is to develop biodegradable, ion-releasing fillers that could be incorporated into dental materials that aid in remineralization of teeth. Methods: Polymeric ion–releasing fillers (PIRFs) that released calcium from a dental composite were prepared. These fillers were synthesized from a biodegradable polymer obtained from a renewable resource (alginate) and are capable of releasing calcium ions. Synthetic variables included the concentration of reactants, emulsifying agents, and applied shear rate. PIRFs were incorporated into dental formulations and categorized by scanning electron microscopy, ion release, degree of conversion, depth of cure, and viscosity measurements. Results: Scanning electron microscopic images confirmed the successful isolation of the PIRFs from synthesis and subsequent mixing into a bisphenol A glycidyl methacrylate and triethylene glycol dimethacrylate continuous phase that was converted into a dental composite. The degree of conversion and depth of cure measurements were consistent with those of a typical dental material, showing the viability of adding PIRFs to dental composites. The effect of mixing the PIRFs on the viscosity of the continuous phase was measured. The addition of up to 5 wt/wt% of these fillers did not significantly increase viscosity, allowing for inclusion into a wide array of dental materials. Incorporation led to pseudoplastic behavior, in which the viscosity decreased with increased shear rate. The incorporation of PIRFs leads to rheopectic behavior at low shear rates and thixotropic behavior at higher rates. Conclusions: Biodegradable PIRFs are a promising approach to help prevent caries.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2772414X25000040Acrylic resinsalginatedental materialsremineralizationresin-based composite
spellingShingle Hannah Reynolds, BS
Bryanna Bravo, BS
Germelle Fulford, MS
Ana Martinez, BS
Mark A. Latta, MS, DMD
Stephen M. Gross, BS, PhD
Biodegradable polymeric ion–releasing fillersWhy Is This Important?
JADA Foundational Science
Acrylic resins
alginate
dental materials
remineralization
resin-based composite
title Biodegradable polymeric ion–releasing fillersWhy Is This Important?
title_full Biodegradable polymeric ion–releasing fillersWhy Is This Important?
title_fullStr Biodegradable polymeric ion–releasing fillersWhy Is This Important?
title_full_unstemmed Biodegradable polymeric ion–releasing fillersWhy Is This Important?
title_short Biodegradable polymeric ion–releasing fillersWhy Is This Important?
title_sort biodegradable polymeric ion releasing fillerswhy is this important
topic Acrylic resins
alginate
dental materials
remineralization
resin-based composite
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2772414X25000040
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