NOVEL HYDROXYAPATITE-BASED DENTAL COMPOSITES

Newly designed composite resins for dental applications have been stud ied. The matrix phases were based on 2,2 bis-4(2-hydroxy-3-methacryloy loxypropoxy)phenyl propane and a urethane dimethacrylate. Tetrahydrofu rfuryl methacrylate was added as a diluent to both dimethacrylates in a proportion of 30 wt%. Heat-cured composite resins were obtained with filler weight fractions of 60% and 67%. After surface treating hydrox yapatite powder with a silane coupling agent, filler contents of 60%, 67% and 80% were employed. These materials were then evaluated for You ng's modulus, flexural strength, diametral tensile strength and Vicker s hardness. With the exception of Young's modulus, all mechanical prop erties of the tested materials were significantly improved when a sila nized hydroxyapatite filler had been used.