An application of nanotechnology in advanced dental materials.

BACKGROUND This article reports the authors' development of nanofillers and a resulting nanocomposite. They measured the nanocomposite's properties in vitro in comparison with those of several existing composites (hybrids, microhybrids and microfill). METHODS The authors developed two types of nanofillers: nanomeric particles and nanoclusters. They used optimal combinations of these nanofillers in a proprietary resin matrix to prepare the nanocomposite system with a wide range of shades and opacities. The properties they studied were compressive, diametral tensile and flexural strengths; in vitro three-body wear; fracture resistance; polish retention; and surface morphology after toothbrush abrasion. They performed statistical analysis using analysis of variance/Tukey-Kramer paired analysis at a 95 percent confidence interval. RESULTS The compressive and diametral strengths and the fracture resistance of the nanocomposite were equivalent to or higher than those of the other commercial composites tested. The three-body wear results of the nanocomposite system were statistically better than those of all other composites tested. The nanocomposite showed better polish retention than the hybrids and microhybrids tested at the extended brushing periods. After extended toothbrush abrasion, the dentin, body and enamel shades showed polish retention equivalent to that of the microfill tested, while translucent shades showed better polish retention than the microfill. CONCLUSIONS The dental nanocomposite system studied showed high translucency, high polish and polish retention similar to those of microfills while maintaining physical properties and wear resistance equivalent to those of several hybrid composites. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS The strength and esthetic properties of the resin-based nanocomposite tested should allow the clinician to use it for both anterior and posterior restorations.