Development of a new dental resin matrix using a fluorinated urethane acrylate monomer.

OBJECTIVES: Conventional acrylate monomers such as Bis-GMA and TEGDMA exhibit several limitations, including high hydrophilicity, notable polymerization shrinkage (PS), lack of antibacterial functionality, and potential biocompatibility concerns. To address these challenges, a novel fluorinated polyurethane acrylate (FPUA) monomer was designed to improve the overall performance of dental resin matrices.

METHODS: A perfluoropolyether-modified urethane acrylate monomer (FPUA) was synthesized and structurally verified using FTIR and 1H NMR spectroscopy. Resin matrices were prepared by blending FPUA with TEGDMA at 60:40 and 50:50 (wt%) ratios, with Bis-GMA/TEGDMA at the same ratios serving as the control. The following properties were evaluated: viscosity, degree of conversion (DC), PS, water contact angle (WCA), water sorption (Wsp), water solubility (Wsl), flexural strength (FS), flexural modulus (FM), fracture work (FW), surface roughness (Ra), surface free energy (SFE), surface elemental composition, antibacterial adhesion behavior, the extent of degradation by cholesterol esterase (CE)，and in vitro.

RESULTS: Compared to the traditional Bis-GMA system, the FPUA-based resin matrix exhibited significantly lower PS, higher DC, greater hydrophobicity, similar FS, lower FM, higher FW, better resistance to bacterial adhesion, and lower release of the degradation product methacrylic acid (MA), with similar in vitro cytotoxicity.

SIGNIFICANCE: The new FPUA monomer showed significant potential for use in dental resin matrices to create materials with outstanding physicochemical qualities and built-in antibacterial properties.