Physico-chemical assessments of ion-doped bioactive glasses-based resin infiltrants

Bioactive glass-based resin infiltrants were developed to evaluate their chemo-physico-mechanical properties. Three methacrylate-based experimental resin infiltrants were synthesized using 45S5, fluoridated-bioactive glass (F-BG), and boron-bioactive glass (B-BG), whereby pure dimethacrylate resins and ICON® were used as a control infiltrants. The degree of conversion (DC), thermal analysis, and wettability were evaluated. In-vitro bioactivity test(s) and weight measurements were conducted in simulated body fluid for up to 28 days. The optical properties were analyzed in artificial saliva for up to 30 days. The micro-hardness and morphological changes were investigated following chemical aging. The experimental resin infiltrants displayed comparable DC, nearly equivalent wettability to ICON®. An apatite layer was formed on the surface of experimental samples; however, non-linear behavior was observed for weight measurement. Reduction in micro-hardness was observed with chemical aging. The optical properties of experimental infiltrants were better than ICON. The B-BG group showed more resistance to chemical aging and showed less changes during thermal analysis, as well as less loss of hardness. In contrast to other groups, the 45S5-based group showed greater in-vitro bioactivity. F- and B-ions in BGs showed a positive effect and potential to treat white spot lesions within the confines of this inquiry.