Enhancing Wear Resistance in Glass Ionomer Cement through Green-mediated Chitosan-, Titanium-, Zirconium-, and Hydroxyapatite-based Nanocomposites: An Analysis before and after Chewing Simulator Endurance.

Abstract

Aim and background: Glass ionomer cement (GIC) serves as a widely used restorative dental material, known for its direct bonding to tooth structures and fluoride-releasing properties. This study aims to investigate the enhancement of GIC through the incorporation of a green-mediated nanocomposite comprising chitosan, titanium, zirconium, and hydroxyapatite, with a focus on evaluating the wear resistance of the modified GIC.

Materials and methods: A one-pot synthesis technique was utilized to prepare a green-mediated nanocomposite incorporating chitosan, titanium, zirconium, and hydroxyapatite nanoparticles. Forty extracted teeth fulfilling the inclusion criteria were chosen for the study. Each tooth received a class I cavity preparation, and then they were divided into groups. Each group, comprising 10 teeth, received a restoration using green-mediated nanocomposite-modified GIC in varying concentrations: 3% for group I, 5% for group II, and 10% for group III. Additionally, there was a control group (group IV) consisting of conventional GIC without any modifications. To assess the wear resistance of the samples, they underwent a testing protocol, followed by placement in a chewing simulator for 30,000 cycles. Surface scans before and after chewing simulation were conducted, and deviations were superimposed using Geomagic software. The interim of root mean square (RMS), maximum deviation, and average deviation were analyzed to quantify the wear levels. Then the data obtained were subjected to statistical analysis, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), followed by Tukey's post hoc analysis to identify any significant differences among the groups.

Results: The least deviation of RMS (0.292 ± 0.063), maximum deviation (0.664 ± 0.076), and average deviation (0.263 ± 0.049) were observed in the 5% nanocomposite-based GIC group, followed by the 10 and 3% groups. The nanocomposite-modified GIC groups exhibited superior wear resistance compared to the conventional group. This outcome addressed the limitations of traditional GIC, signifying a substantial advancement in dental restorative solutions.

Conclusion: The incorporation of green-mediated chitosan, titanium, zirconium, and hydroxyapatite nanocomposite into GIC demonstrated a remarkable improvement in wear resistance. This study paves the way for future advancements in dental materials, representing a significant stride toward the creation of environmentally conscious and efficacious dental restorations.

How to cite this article: Sitaram SS, Paulraj J, Maiti S, et al. Enhancing Wear Resistance in Glass Ionomer Cement through Green-mediated Chitosan-, Titanium-, Zirconium-, and Hydroxyapatite-based Nanocomposites: An Analysis before and after Chewing Simulator Endurance. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2024;17(11):1229-1235.