Advanced Materials May Prevent Dental Restorations From Failing

Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) researchers have developed a new dental adhesive and composite that, when combined, deliver longer-lasting dental restorations. The study, “Use of (Meth) acrylamides as Alternative Monomers in Dental Adhesive Systems,” published in Dental Materials, describes how the adhesive was found to be 30% stronger than adhesives currently used to secure dental composites.

Findings from a companion study published in Scientific Reports suggest a new composite infused with thiourethane is two times more resistant to breakage than standard composites. These qualities allow it to hold up better to mastication than traditional restorations. While clinical trials are needed to determine how the material stands up in treatment, the researchers hold a positive outlook. “Based on the comparative performance of these materials with commercially available controls, we project that restorations will last longer with the important benefit that new caries lesions underneath the restorations will be less likely,” says Carmem S. Pfeifer, DDS, PhD, an associate professor of restorative dentistry in the OHSU School of Dentistry, and corresponding author of the two studies. “This means dentists will not have to replace restorations as often, which, in turn, will help preserve natural tooth structure.”

Featured image: Oregon Health & Science University campus in Portland. 

From Decisions in Dentistry. July/August 2019;5(7):10.