Vitreous materials for dental restoration and reconstruction

Abstract

Glasses are a highly versatile class of materials that have been utilized for numerous applications in restorative dentistry. Their use in dentistry ranges from reconstruction of the underlying bone tissue used to house or support metallic implants, to glass based adhesive materials for tooth restoration. The destruction of alveolar bone tissue, due to periodontitis or periapical infection, leads to resorption of the underlying bone tissue that needs to support constructs required for implant surgery. The Bioglass based system (SiO2–CaO–Na2O–P2O5) can provide the required ionic dissolution characteristics to promote mineral deposition in bone tissue which subsequently results in the formation of hydroxyapatite (HAp) and a permanent interfacial bond. The success of this particular composition has resulted in a range of commercial materials that can be applied to procedures such as guided bone regeneration (GBR) and to improve resistance to dentin associated hypersensitivity. Glasses can also be applied in a composite form to aid in the restoration of de-mineralized tooth after carie formation, or to fix metal based constructs to the tooth enamel. The predominant types of glass based dental adhesive materials are glass polyalkenoate cements (GPCs). These materials generally consist of a SiO2–Al2O3–CaO/CaF based glass, and when mixed with a polyalkenoic acid (PAA) and water, set to form a solid matrix. GPCs are commonly used as cavity fillers, liners and as luting agents as they form a strong bond to the mineral phase of tooth, have the ability to release fluoride in the oral environment and have appropriate handling and mechanical properties for their intended application.