However, despite their widespread adoption, traditional resin composites remain vulnerable to premature failure—chiefly due to secondary caries and bulk fracture.
A landmark review by Zhang et al. (2024) explores a groundbreaking new generation of these composites with antibacterial, remineralizing, and self‑healing functionalities—designed to address these limitations and significantly extend restoration longevity.
This review meticulously surveys the state‑of‑the‑art materials and mechanisms underpinning each advanced capability
It begins with antibacterial composites—detailing the integration of silver nanoparticles, zinc oxide whiskers, quaternary ammonium monomers, and other bioactive agents that actively inhibit bacterial colonization and acid production.
► DENTAL BOOK: An Atlas of Dental Caries: A Pictorial For Dental Students and Dentists (2020) - Dr. Nazir A. Mahomed
It then shifts to remineralizing composites, highlighting the inclusion of bioactive fillers such as nano‑hydroxyapatite and amorphous calcium phosphate, which foster mineral regeneration at the tooth–material interface.
Finally, the review explores self‑healing composites—most notably those embedding microcapsules of healing monomer and catalyst or leveraging bacterial biomineralization pathways to autonomously repair microcracks and restore mechanical integrity.
Moreover, multifunctional formulations that combine two or all three capabilities are comprehensively analyzed, discussing the underlying mechanisms and trade‑offs in mechanical properties, cytocompatibility, and long‑term efficacy.
The article concludes with thoughtful critical perspectives and future research directions that promise to inspire both material scientists and clinical innovators
In sum, this compelling review presents a holistic roadmap for the next era of therapeutic dental resin composites—ushering in restoratives that not only repair but actively protect and regenerate tooth structure.
💬 Dentists and restorative professionals worldwide are invited to Download and Read the full PDF of this article to stay at the forefront of clinical and material innovation.
