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Innovations in Dental Biomaterials: Mechanical Properties and Bonding Challenges
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Innovations in Dental Biomaterials: Mechanical Properties and Bonding Challenges

A special issue of Materials (ISSN 1996-1944). This special issue belongs to the section "Biomaterials".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 October 2026 | Viewed by 3728

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Ivana Miletić

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Endodontics and Restorative Dentistry, School of Dental Medicine University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
Interests: dental materials; restorative dentistry
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Anja Ivica

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor Assistant
Department of Endodontics and Restorative Dentistry, School of Dental Medicine University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
Interests: dental materials; dental pulp regeneration; endodontics; restorative dentistry

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

We are pleased to announce a forthcoming Special Issue dedicated to biointeractive restorative materials, a rapidly evolving field at the intersection of material science, biomedicine, and clinical innovation. We invite submissions exploring novel approaches, materials, and technologies that integrate bioactivity into dental medicine.

As dentistry continues to evolve toward minimally invasive and biologically driven solutions, innovative materials that combine mechanical reliability with superior bonding to tooth structures are critical. Interesting topics include changes in the production and composition of dental materials and new application techniques, but also issues in the field of the impact of environmental factors on the long-term survival of dental fillings in the oral cavity. Additionally, articles may cover composite resins, glass ionomer cements, root canal fillings and dental ceramics.

This Special Issue aims to showcase cutting-edge original articles, alongside clinical studies, communications, and reviews, that redefine how restorative materials interact with biological systems to promote healing, regeneration, and long-term functionality.

Prof. Dr. Ivana Miletić
Guest Editor

Dr. Anja Ivica
Guest Editor Assistant

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Materials is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • biointeractive materials
  • bonding agents
  • dental materials
  • dentin adhesion
  • glass ionomer cements
  • minimally invasive dentistry
  • remineralization
  • restorative dentistry
  • smart materials

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

14 pages, 3029 KB  
Article
Characteristics of Interface Zone Between Glass-Based Restorative Materials and Sound and Caries-Affected Primary Dentine
by Jelena Vulovic, Vukasin Kosutic, Sanja Kojic, Lazar Milic, Jovana Kuzmanovic Pficer, Bojan Petrovic, Aleksandar Racic, Marko Zivkovic and Tamara Peric
Materials 2026, 19(3), 568; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma19030568 - 2 Feb 2026
Viewed by 555
Abstract
The aim was to evaluate the interface zone between glass hybrid (GH), high-viscosity (HV), and resin-modified (RM) glass-ionomer cements (GIC) and sound (SD) and artificially created caries-affected (ACAD) primary dentin. Occlusal cavities were prepared in 120 extracted primary molars and randomly assigned to [...] Read more.
The aim was to evaluate the interface zone between glass hybrid (GH), high-viscosity (HV), and resin-modified (RM) glass-ionomer cements (GIC) and sound (SD) and artificially created caries-affected (ACAD) primary dentin. Occlusal cavities were prepared in 120 extracted primary molars and randomly assigned to SD or ACAD. Samples were restored with GH (Equia Forte HT-EF), HV-GIC (Equia Fill-E; Ketac Molar-KM), or RM-GIC (Fuji-II LC-FII; Photac Fill-PF) and exposed to thermal aging. Microleakage (methylene-blue) was analyzed using an optical digital microscope. The interface between dental tissues and restorative materials was analyzed using a scanning electron (SE) microscope. SE microphotographs were manually annotated for intimate contact and cracks/gaps at the material-enamel/dentin interface and analyzed using a custom Python-based algorithm to quantify the respective percentages. No microleakage was noted only in the SD group for EF (50%), FII (42%), and E (33%). All materials showed higher microleakage in ACAD than SD (p < 0.05). No continuous intimate contact between restorative material and dental tissues was observed along the entire interface. The mean proportion of intimate contact between the material and SD was EF (76%) > KM (55%) > E (38%) > FII (7%) > PF (4%), and EF (32%) > KM (24%) > E (16%) > FII (15%) > PF (0%) for ACAD (p < 0.05). Caries-induced demineralization affects the quality of the material–dentin interface. GH are likely to provide better sealing compared to the previous generations of GI materials. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovations in Dental Biomaterials: Mechanical Properties and Bonding Challenges)
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15 pages, 1161 KB  
Article
Electrochemical Interactions of Titanium and Cobalt–Chromium–Molybdenum Alloy in Different Solutions
by Anja Ivica, Matea Nimac, Ivica Pelivan, Matija Roglić, Tomislav Kovačević, Mario Cifrek and Jurica Matijević
Materials 2026, 19(2), 367; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma19020367 - 16 Jan 2026
Viewed by 642
Abstract
Pure titanium (Ti) and its alloys are the gold standard for dental implants because a stable titanium dioxide passive film provides excellent corrosion resistance in physiological environments. In this study, we aimed to examine electrochemical interactions between Ti and cobalt–chromium–molybdenum alloy (CoCrMo), and [...] Read more.
Pure titanium (Ti) and its alloys are the gold standard for dental implants because a stable titanium dioxide passive film provides excellent corrosion resistance in physiological environments. In this study, we aimed to examine electrochemical interactions between Ti and cobalt–chromium–molybdenum alloy (CoCrMo), and between a novel Ti–magnesium composite (BIACOM TiMg) and CoCrMo, when immersed in everyday solutions representing beverage or oral hygiene exposure. Test solutions included Coca-Cola®, lemon juice, Elmex® fluoride gel, Listerine® Cool Mint, and Sensodyne® fluoride paste. Immersion experiments paired Ti sticks with CoCrMo sticks and, separately, BIACOM TiMg with CoCrMo sticks, with three measurements per configuration. When galvanically coupled with CoCrMo, immersion in Coca-Cola produced galvanic potential differences of ~983 mV for the BIACOM TiMg-CoCrMo couple and 830 mV for the commercially pure grade 4 (CP4) Ti-CoCrMo couple, indicating significant electrochemical instability. Both materials showed significant potential increases in Elmex fluoride gel. Listerine Cool Mint and Sensodyne fluoride exposure produced electrochemical interactions exceeding 200 mV. Significant differences in corrosion stability were observed between CP4 Ti and BIACOM TiMg. These findings indicate that material pairing and electrolyte environment significantly influence galvanic behavior, with the Ti-Mg composite showing greater susceptibility than CP4 Ti, informing dental/biomedical material selection in oral environments. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovations in Dental Biomaterials: Mechanical Properties and Bonding Challenges)
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18 pages, 2250 KB  
Article
New Universal Bulk-Fill Composites with Translucency Shift: Impact of Rapid Curing and Ageing on Polymerisation and Mechanical Properties
by Danijela Marovic, Matej Par, Eva Mandic, Tena Smiljanic, Visnja Negovetic Mandic, Vlatko Panduric and Zrinka Tarle
Materials 2025, 18(24), 5613; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18245613 - 14 Dec 2025
Viewed by 587
Abstract
This study investigated real-time polymerisation kinetics and mechanical properties under accelerated ageing of novel universal bulk-fill composites incorporating reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) agent ß-allyl sulfone, designed for anterior and posterior applications. Five bulk-fill composites were tested: Tetric Plus Fill and Tetric Plus [...] Read more.
This study investigated real-time polymerisation kinetics and mechanical properties under accelerated ageing of novel universal bulk-fill composites incorporating reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) agent ß-allyl sulfone, designed for anterior and posterior applications. Five bulk-fill composites were tested: Tetric Plus Fill and Tetric Plus Flow (new universal composites); their predecessors, Tetric PowerFill and Tetric PowerFlow (Ivoclar); and RAFT-free Ecosite Bulk Fill (DMG). Specimens were polymerised for 3 s (~3000 mW/cm2), 10 s (~1200 mW/cm2), or 20 s (~1200 mW/cm2). Degree of conversion (DC) was monitored during and after curing, with mechanical testing after 24 h and after thermal cycling. DC and maximum polymerisation rate at 4 mm depth were significantly lower than at 0.1 mm for all materials and curing times. Three-second curing accelerated the polymerisation rate at both depths. Except for Ecosite cured for 3 or 10 s as RAFT-free material, DC ratios at 4 mm exceeded 80% of surface values. Tetric Plus Fill and Ecosite exhibited the highest flexural strength after 24 h, while PowerFill and Ecosite showed the highest flexural modulus at 24 h and after thermal cycling. Rapid curing did not compromise mechanical properties after 24 h, except for PowerFlow, the composite with the lowest filler vol%, but negatively affected both flowable composites after ageing. Thermal cycling reduced flexural strength in most tested conditions, but all materials and curing conditions more than satisfied the ISO 4049 requirements. The new simplified universal composite Plus Fill has a higher DC and improved polymerisation kinetics compared to its predecessor, PowerFill. Rapid curing is not recommended for the material without RAFT agents. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovations in Dental Biomaterials: Mechanical Properties and Bonding Challenges)
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18 pages, 2898 KB  
Article
Exploring the Biological and Chemical Properties of Emerging 3D-Printed Dental Resin Composites Compared to Conventional Light-Cured Materials
by Nikola Živković, Stefan Vulović, Miloš Lazarević, Anja Baraba, Aleksandar Jakovljević, Mina Perić, Jelena Mitrić and Aleksandra Milić Lemić
Materials 2025, 18(22), 5170; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18225170 - 14 Nov 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1234
Abstract
Advances in additive manufacturing have accelerated the development of 3D-printed dental resin composites. These materials contain a higher proportion of organic matrix and less filler than light-cured representatives, which may affect their behavior in the oral environment. This study aimed to evaluate the [...] Read more.
Advances in additive manufacturing have accelerated the development of 3D-printed dental resin composites. These materials contain a higher proportion of organic matrix and less filler than light-cured representatives, which may affect their behavior in the oral environment. This study aimed to evaluate the biological and chemical properties of 3D-printed dental resin composites before and after artificial aging, and to compare them with the light-cured representative. Specimens from a light-cured composite (Omnichroma—OMCR) and two 3D-printed composites (GT Temp PRINT—GTPR; SprintRay CROWN—SPRY) were subjected to aging treatments: unaged (T0) or thermocycled for 5000 (T1) and 10,000 cycles (T2). Biological evaluation was performed using MTT assay and Live/Dead cell fluorescence microscopy using human gingival fibroblasts, whereas Raman spectroscopy analysed materials’ structural changes. Materials exhibited good biocompatibility (>70% cell viability), with OMCR displaying greater variability. OMCR was more susceptible to chemical degradation under thermal stresses than both 3D-printed materials. Tested 3D-printed composites can provide comparable or even superior biological and chemical properties compared to light-cured representative, likely due to optimized resin formulations and post-curing protocols that improve polymer network organization and reduce residual monomer release. These findings support the potential of tested 3D-printed composites for manufacturing dental restorations. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovations in Dental Biomaterials: Mechanical Properties and Bonding Challenges)
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