Preparation of bio-inspired dental crown materials with enhanced impact resistance and its in vitro biocompatibility research

Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui     font:big middle small

Found programs: National Natural Science Foundation of China(No. 32171347);National Key Research and De- velopment Program of China(No. 2024YFC2418600);Health Discipline Leader Cultivation Program of Shanghai Municipal Health Commission(No. 2022XD038)

Authors:Zeng Qingsheng1,Zou Duohong1,2

Keywords:brick-mortar structure;laminated structure;energy dissipation;impact resistance;bio-inspired den- tal crown materials

DOI:10.19405/j.cnki.issn1000-1492.2026.02.023

〔Abstract〕 To prepare biomimetic nanocomposites,characterize their biomimetic structures,test their quasi-static mechanical properties,dynamic mechanical properties and biocompatibility,and to explore the possi- bility of them as biomimetic composite materials for oral crowns. Methods The microstructure of alumina micro- platelets and kaolin particles was observed using scanning electron microscopy(SEM)and metallographic micros- copy. Alumina microplatelets were mixed with kaolin particles to form a ceramic slurry,which was then used to prepare a composite film via evaporation-induced self-assembly. The multilayer composite ceramic material was produced through pressureless sintering followed by organic polymer treatment. The microstructures before and af- ter sintering,as well as after polymer infiltration,were observed using SEM. The organic content of the composite film was analyzed by thermogravimetric analysis. Phase composition changes before and after sintering were exam- ined using X-ray diffraction. The compressive and flexural strengths of different groups with varying numbers of lay- ers(specifically 50,16,8,4,2,and 1 layers)were tested using a universal mechanical testing machine. The en- ergy dissipation performance of the different groups was evaluated through drop ball and drop hammer tests. The biocompatibility of the composite material was investigated using the CCK-8,live/dead cell staining,and cell adhe- sion experiments. Results The ceramic framework(CF)exhibited a nacre-like structure internally,with clearly defined layered interfaces in the cross-section of the multilayer composite. The organic content increased propor- tionally with the number of layers. After sintering,the crystal phase underwent transformation,and internal crystal bonding occurred. As the number of layers increased,the compressive and flexural strengths showed a modest de- cline,while the energy dissipation performance improved significantly. The optimal results from the drop ball test and drop hammer test reached 80. 64% and 11. 65 kJ/m² , respectively. No significant differences were observed in CCK-8 assays and live/dead cell staining between the blank control group and the material group. Cells adhered fa- vorably to the composite material. Conclusion Multilayer composite ceramic materials exhibit excellent quasi- static mechanical properties,remarkable dynamic mechanical performance,and superior biological compatibility. It is verified that the hierarchically designed,nacre-like composite successfully fabricated in this work is antici- pated to become a novel type of composite dental crown material for oral applications.