Fabrication and characterisation of polymer composites for endodontic use

International Endodontic Journal

Accepted Article

 

Abstract

Aim

To develop a low density polyethylene-hydroxyapatite (HA-PE) composite with properties tailored to function as a potential root canal filling material.

Methodology

Hydroxyapatite and polyethylene mixed with strontium oxide as a radiopacifier were extruded in a single screw extruder fitted with an appropriate die to form fibres. The composition of the composite was optimized with clinical handling and placement in the canal being the prime consideration. The fibres were characterised using Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and their thermal properties determined using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The tensile strength and elastic modulus of composite fibres and gutta-percha were compared, dry and after 1 month storage in simulated body fluid (SBF), using a universal testing machine. The radiopacity of the fibres was determined using digital radiography. The interaction of the composites with eugenol was evaluated and compared with gutta-percha. Data of the tensile strengths were submitted to two-way ANOVA and Bonferroni tests (P<0 .05="" p="">

Results

The endothermic peaks obtained from the DSC studies showed that the melting point of the HA/PE composites ranged between 110.5 and 111.2°C, whereas gutta-percha exhibited a melting point at 52°C. The tensile strength and elastic modulus of the silanated HA/PE composites were significantly higher than those of gutta-percha (P<0 .0001="" 1="" a="" and="" composites="" conditions="" demonstrated="" dry="" eugenol="" evaluations="" fibres="" gutta-percha="" ha="" in="" increase="" mass="" molar="" month="" p="" polymer="" radiological="" radiopaque.="" sbf.="" showed="" significant="" silanated="" storage="" sufficiently="" that="" the="" unchanged.="" under="" were="" whereas="">

Conclusion

Promising materials for endodontic applications have been developed, offering relevant benefits over the traditional materials in terms of mechanical and chemical properties.