A novel chalcone photoinitiating system for dual-functional dental resins through grafting of antibacterial and bioactive properties.

For dental resins lacking antibacterial and bioactive properties, a novel chalcone derivative (ChD) was synthesized for a ChD/EDB/Iod3 photoinitiation system. This system enabled dual functionalization of the Bis-GMA/TEGDMA resin with quaternary ammonium monomers (QAMs, DMADDM or DMAHDM) and hydroxyapatite whiskers (HAw) under 405 nm blue light. Results showed QAM-modified resins exhibited >99% bactericidal rate against Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), while HAw-modified resins induced calcium-deficient apatite deposition. The dual modification integrated both functions, with antibacterial efficacy increasing with alkyl chain length (C12 to C16). Furthermore, a synergistic effect between QAMs and HAw accelerated biomineralization, reducing the deposition period to 7 days. Although prolonging gel time and increasing fluid uptake, the dual modification enhanced resin hydrophilicity; whisker reinforcement compensated for QAM-induced strength loss and altered fracture behavior from brittle to ductile. All resins maintained MC3T3-E1 cell viability >70%. DMADDM and HAw thereby endowed the resin with superior overall performance and promising clinical potential.