Molecularly filled composites for improved dental restoratives

描述（由申请人提供）：本研究的目标是开发用于牙科修复材料的改良聚合物复合材料。具体来说，我们的目标是合成高功能的“分子填料”物种，当与单体树脂结合时，产生的复合材料相对于目前的配方具有更低的收缩率和更好的机械性能。将合成和表征具有不同尺寸、形态和功能的系列填料。这些填料将与甲基丙烯酸酯和巯基单体树脂复配并进行光聚合。所得到的复合材料的性能，包括玻璃化转变温度、模量、收缩率和机械强度，将被测量，以确定它们作为牙科修复材料的能力。与科罗拉多大学健康科学中心的临床医生和牙科研究人员的合作将在材料的开发和测试中得到重视，以确保所创建的配方适合临床使用。该提案的研究部分与NIDCR的使命特别相关，即追求和改进牙科疾病和病症的治疗策略。此外，该提案的培训方面将为申请人提供牙科研究领域的第一次经验，从而支持中心的战略倡议目标，即培养具有必要经验的化学领域研究人员，为牙科研究做出有意义的职业贡献。相关性：龋齿，通常被称为蛀牙，仍然是一个重大的公共卫生问题，部分原因是它是影响儿童的最常见的慢性疾病。该项目的目标是开发改良的填充材料，用于修复蛀牙引起的牙齿损伤。在这项研究中开发的材料有望比现有的材料具有更长的使用寿命和更低的填充故障率。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The goal of this research is the development of improved polymer composites for use as dental restorative materials. Specifically, we aim to synthesize highly functional "molecular filler" species, which, when combined with monomer resins yield composites that possess lower shrinkage and improved mechanical properties relative to current formulations. Series of fillers with differing sizes, morphologies, and functionalities will be synthesized and characterized. These fillers will be compounded with methacrylate and thiol-ene monomer resins and photopolymerized. Properties of the resulting composites, including glass transition temperature, modulus, shrinkage, and mechanical strength will be measured in order to determine their ability to serve as dental restorative materials. Collaboration with clinicians and dental researchers at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center will be heavily emphasized in both the development and testing of the materials to ensure that the formulations created are suitable for clinical use. The research portion of this proposal is particularly relevant to NIDCR's mission to pursue and improve treatment strategies for dental diseases and disorders. Additionally, the proposal's training aspect will provide the applicant's first experience in the dental research field, thus supporting the Center's strategic initiative goal to train investigators from the field of chemistry with requisite experience to make meaningful career contributions in dental research. Relevance: Dental caries, commonly referred to as tooth decay, remains a significant public health issue, due in part to its status as the most frequently occurring chronic disease affecting children. The goal of this project is the development of improved filling materials for repairing tooth damage caused by tooth decay. The materials being developed in this study are expected to possess longer service lifetimes and lower filling failure rates than those currently available.