Surface pre-reacted glass reinforced dental composite: Performance assessment of physicochemical, static mechanical, dynamic mechanical and wear properties

The purpose of the present study was to introduce S-PRG fillers and vary in the range of (0-15 wt. %) in the dental composites with partial replacement of organic matrix (BISGMA/TEGDMA/CG/EDMAB in 54 wt. %, 45 wt. %, 0.2 wt. % and 0.8 wt. %). The performance of S-PRG fillers was evaluated by testing the S-PRG reinforced dental composite in terms of chemical properties (polymerization shrinkage, degree of conversion), optical (translucency) and mechanical properties (micro-hardness, compression strength, diametral tensile strength and wear properties). It was revealed that the addition of 5 wt. % of S-PRG ceramic fillers increased depth of cure, degree of conversion, polymerization shrinkage and water sorption by 5.12%, 5.6%, 6.5% and 2.96%, respectively. Whereas, on adding 5 wt. % of S-PRG ceramic fillers, Vickers hardness, compressive strength, flexural strength, diametral tensile strength and wear resistance were increased by 25.8%, 11.6%, 15.8%, 25% and 9.6%, respectively. Data were analyzed statistically with one-way ANOVA and post hoc Tukey's HSD test (alpha < 0.05). This study demonstrates that the biologically beneficial S-PRG ceramic fillers have exhibited excellent performance in terms of physical, chemical, mechanical and wear properties which lay within the limit specified by ISO 4049 standard. Therefore, it can be suggested to replace expensive nanoparticles in the dental composite.