Bioactive dental composite materials

Sa？etak Bioactive dental composite materials offer the potential to prevent secondary caries, which is one of the major causes of failure of contemporary composite restorations. Various experimental formulations of bioactive composite materials are currently being investigated worldwide, although very few commercial products are available for clinical practice. The caries-preventive effect of bioactive composites is attained by two main approaches: antimicrobial activity and remineralization of dental hard tissues. This article provides a brief overview of experimental bioactive composite materials based on amorphous calcium phosphate and bioactive glasses. Their advantages, drawbacks and the most important properties are discussed. Generally, some compromise is always required in balancing the bioactivity and mechanical properties of composite materials. The characteristics of bioactive fillers (composition, particle size, filler loading, surface treatment) need to enable sufficient ion release in an aqueous environment, while not negatively affecting basic properties of composite materials, such as: the degree of conversion, polymerization shrinkage and related shrinkage stress, strength, hardness, elastic modulus, degradation in water and biocompatibility. The major benefits of bioactive composite materials include: the capability to regenerate dental hard tissues after an acid attack by supplying calcium, phosphate and other ions, reduction of dentin hypersensitivity and postoperative sensitivity, precipitation of hydroxyapatite in the marginal gap, inhibition of bacterial growth and improvement in the durability of the bonding between the composite material and dentin