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Polymers
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Challenges and Opportunities of Polymer Materials in Dentistry
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Challenges and Opportunities of Polymer Materials in Dentistry

A special issue of Polymers (ISSN 2073-4360). This special issue belongs to the section "Biobased and Biodegradable Polymers".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 July 2025 | Viewed by 1224

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Gaetano Paolone

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Dentistry, Dental School, IRCCS San Raffaele Hospital, Vita Salute University, 20132 Milan, Italy
Interests: restorative dentistry; dental biomaterials; CAD/CAM; composites
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Polymers play a pivotal role in modern dentistry, offering versatile applications in restorative materials, adhesives, and prosthetic devices. Their biocompatibility, aesthetics, and ability to replicate natural tissue properties have transformed dental treatments. However, challenges such as wear resistance, polymerization shrinkage, and long-term stability remain significant barriers to their broader adoption.

Advancements in CAD/CAM technology and 3D printing have opened new opportunities for tailored polymer solutions in dentistry, enabling customised, precise, and efficient workflows. This Special Issue aims to explore cutting-edge developments and address existing challenges in dental polymer materials.

Topics include innovations in polymer formulations, biocompatibility, antimicrobial properties, and applications in digital dentistry. Contributions that highlight sustainable solutions and performance improvements in dental polymers are especially welcome.

Prof. Dr. Gaetano Paolone
Guest Editor

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 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

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. Polymers 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 2700 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

  • wear resistance
  • polymerization shrinkage
  • CAD/CAM technology
  • 3D printing
  • polymer formulations
  • biocompatibility
  • antimicrobial properties
  • digital dentistry

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

12 pages, 3419 KiB  
Article
Graphene Oxide-Enriched Polymer: Impact on Dental Pulp Cell Viability and Differentiation
by Magdalena Vega-Quiroz, Agustin Reyes-Maciel, Christian Andrea Lopez-Ayuso, Carlos A. Jurado, Hector Guzman-Juarez, Carlos Andres Alvarez-Gayosso, Benjamin Aranda-Herrera, Abdulrahman Alshabib and Rene Garcia-Contreras
Polymers 2025, 17(13), 1768; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym17131768 - 26 Jun 2025
Viewed by 201
Abstract
Background: Reconstructing maxillofacial defects is important in dentistry, so efforts are being made to develop materials that promote cell migration and repair. Graphene oxide (GO) is used to enhance the biocompatibility of polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) due to its nanostructure. Objective: to assess cytotoxicity, cell [...] Read more.
Background: Reconstructing maxillofacial defects is important in dentistry, so efforts are being made to develop materials that promote cell migration and repair. Graphene oxide (GO) is used to enhance the biocompatibility of polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) due to its nanostructure. Objective: to assess cytotoxicity, cell proliferation, and differentiation of human dental pulp stem cells (hDPSC) in response to a conventional PMMA (PMMA) and polymer enriched with GO (PMMA+GO). Methods: Experiments were carried out with primary hDPSC subcultures. The PMMA and PMMA+GO were tested in direct and indirect contact. Cytotoxicity (1 day) and proliferation (3, 7, and 14 days) were evaluated with an MTT bioassay. The osteogenic, adipogenic, and chondrogenic aspects were determinate with alizarin red, oil red, and safranine. Mean values, standard deviation, and percentages were calculated; data were analyzed with Shapiro–Wilks normality and Student’s t-test. Results: The cell viability of PMMA and PMMA+GO in direct contact correspond to 90.8 ± 6.2, 149.6 ± 14.5 (1 day); 99.9 ± 7.0, 95.7 ± 6.1 (3 days); 120.2 ± 14.6, 172.9 ± 16.2 (7 days); and 102.9 ± 17.3, 95.4 ± 22.8 (14 days). For indirect contact, 77.2 ± 8.4, 99 ± 21.4 (1 day); 64.8 ± 21.6, 67.0 ± 9.6 (3 days); 91.4 ± 16.5, 142 ± 18.7 (7 days); and 63 ± 15.8, 79.1 ± 3.1 (14 days). PMMA+GO samples showed enhanced adipogenic, chondrogenic, and osteogenic aspects. Conclusions: The integration of GO into PMMA biopolymers stimulates cell proliferation and differentiation, holding great promise for future applications in the field of biomedicine. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Challenges and Opportunities of Polymer Materials in Dentistry)
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19 pages, 2735 KiB  
Article
Urethane Macromonomers: Key Components for the Development of Light-Cured High-Impact Denture Bases
by Benjamin Grob, Pascal Fässler, Iris Lamparth, Sadini Omeragic, Kai Rist, Loïc Vidal, Jacques Lalevée and Yohann Catel
Polymers 2025, 17(13), 1761; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym17131761 - 26 Jun 2025
Viewed by 155
Abstract
The development of high-impact denture base formulations that are suitable for digital light processing (DLP) 3D printing is demanding. Indeed, a combination of high flexural strength/modulus and high fracture toughness is required. In this contribution, eight urethane macromonomers (UMs1-8) were synthesized [...] Read more.
The development of high-impact denture base formulations that are suitable for digital light processing (DLP) 3D printing is demanding. Indeed, a combination of high flexural strength/modulus and high fracture toughness is required. In this contribution, eight urethane macromonomers (UMs1-8) were synthesized in a one-pot, two-step procedure. Several rigid diols were first reacted with two equivalents of trimethylhexamethylene diisocyanate. The resulting diisocyanates were subsequently end-capped with a free-radically polymerizable monomer bearing a hydroxy group. UMs1-8 were combined with the monofunctional monomer (octahydro-4,7-methano-1H-indenyl)methyl acrylate and a poly(ε-caprolactone)-polydimethylsiloxane-poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL-PDMS-PCL) triblock copolymer (BCP1) as a toughening agent. The double-bond conversion, glass transition temperature (Tg), and mechanical properties (flexural strength/modulus, fracture toughness) of corresponding light-cured materials were measured (cured in a mold using a light-curing unit). The results showed that the incorporation of BCP1 was highly efficient at significantly increasing the fracture toughness, as long as the obtained networks exhibited a low crosslink density. The structure of the urethane macromonomer (nature of the rigid group in the spacer; nature and number of polymerizable groups) was demonstrated to be crucial to reach the desired properties (balance between flexural strength/modulus and fracture toughness). Amongst the evaluated macromonomers, UM1 and UM2 were particularly promising. By correctly adjusting the BCP1 content, light-cured formulations based on those two urethane dimethacrylates were able to fulfill ISO20795-1:2013 standard requirements regarding high-impact materials. These formulations are therefore suitable for the development of 3D printable high-impact denture bases. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Challenges and Opportunities of Polymer Materials in Dentistry)
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15 pages, 2626 KiB  
Article
In Vitro Evaluation of the Mechanical Properties of Posterior Adhesive Restorations Fabricated Using Three Different Techniques
by Cem Peskersoy and Gozde Acar
Polymers 2025, 17(10), 1340; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym17101340 - 14 May 2025
Viewed by 330
Abstract
This study evaluates the optical properties and mechanical durability of adhesive restorations fabricated using different techniques for the treatment of single-tooth loss in the posterior region after an aging process. Sixty extracted human teeth (thirty molars and thirty premolars) were restored using three [...] Read more.
This study evaluates the optical properties and mechanical durability of adhesive restorations fabricated using different techniques for the treatment of single-tooth loss in the posterior region after an aging process. Sixty extracted human teeth (thirty molars and thirty premolars) were restored using three different fabrication methods: 3D-printed resin restorations, fiber mesh-reinforced direct composite restorations, and indirect composite restorations. Color stability was assessed using a spectrophotometer, and fracture resistance was measured using a universal testing machine. Finite element stress analysis (FEA) was conducted to validate mechanical test results under simulated intraoral conditions. The fiber-reinforced composite group exhibited the highest fracture resistance (1057.91 MPa), while 3D-printed restorations showed the lowest (p < 0.05). Regarding color stability, the fiber-reinforced group demonstrated the highest ΔE00 values (ΔE00 = 1.71), differing significantly from the other groups, while the 3D-printed and indirect composite restorations showed no significant difference. Mechanical test results were consistent with FEA findings. These results indicate that fiber reinforcement enhances mechanical durability in high-load-bearing areas, while 3D-printed restorations may not yet be suitable for posterior regions. However, their potential use in anterior restorations, where occlusal forces are lower, warrants further investigation to improve material properties. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Challenges and Opportunities of Polymer Materials in Dentistry)
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13 pages, 7025 KiB  
Article
An Evaluation of the Effect of the Guide Socket on the Primary Stability of the Miniscrew in a Polyurethane Cortical Bone Model
by Levent Ciğerim and Nazlı Hilal Kahraman
Polymers 2025, 17(7), 962; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym17070962 - 1 Apr 2025
Viewed by 291
Abstract
Only a few studies in the literature have evaluated the effect of pilot drilling to create a guide socket on the primary stability of miniscrews. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of creating a guide socket during miniscrew insertion [...] Read more.
Only a few studies in the literature have evaluated the effect of pilot drilling to create a guide socket on the primary stability of miniscrews. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of creating a guide socket during miniscrew insertion on the primary stability of the miniscrew in an in vitro polyurethane (PU) cortical bone model. PU blocks with a density of 0.96 g/cm3 were used for in vitro cortical bone modelling, and 1.8 × 8 mm self-drilling mushroom-head titanium miniscrews were used. A 1 mm diameter surgical fissure drill was used to create the guide sockets in the study groups. A total of 45 miniscrews were included in this study in the no-guide, 2 mm guide, and 4 mm guide groups. The insertion torque values for the miniscrews in the 4 mm guide socket group were significantly lower than in the other groups, and the removal torque values for the miniscrews in the 2 mm guide socket group were significantly higher than in the other groups (p < 0.01). This study demonstrated that a 0.96 g/cm3 PU block can be used for in vitro cortical bone modelling and that the creation of a 2 mm guide socket increases the primary stability of the 1.8 × 8 mm mushroom-head miniscrew. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Challenges and Opportunities of Polymer Materials in Dentistry)
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