Formulation and Mechanical Properties of Cellulose / Silica Based Dental Composites

Abstract

The dental composites are the materials that can be used as substitute of the teeth in the form of restorative material or adhesives. Dental composites normally contain acrylic resins, fillers and photoinitiator. The acrylic resins normally used are Bis-GMA and other dimethacrylate monomers (TEGMA, UDMA, HDDMA). The physical as well as mechanical properties of dental composites can be improved by various modifications. Cellulose Nano crystals having good mechanical properties as well as low cost and indigenous source were synthesized through acid hydrolysis. The Silica particles, known dental fillers were also synthesized through sol gel process and used in combination with CNPs for fabrication of composites materials. The prepared fillers (Cellulose Nano particles and silica) were characterized with Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) analytical instruments. The characteristic peaks assigned to CNPs and silica was depicted in spectral analysis of FTIR and XRD spectra. The SEM analysis shows Nano and microstructures of Cellulose Nano particles and silica respectively. The characterized Cellulose Nano particles and silica were mix in different ratios 1:4, 2:3, 3:2, 4:1, 5:0 and used as filler to improve the mechanical properties of dental composites. The mechanical properties (Compression Mechanical properties, Vickers Hardness, Flexural Strength (3 point Bending), Biaxial Flexural strength) were evaluated for the prepared composites. The mechanical properties were observed to improve with the addition Cellulose Nano particles. Thus the Cellulose Nano particles have the potential to be exploited as fillers in the fabrication of dental composites for various applications.