Multifunctional Composites as Filling Materials in Dentistry

With advances made by material science and improvements in properties of polymers used as dental materials and increasing their applications, we have made attempts in studying polymer composites as filling materials which have been extensively used in dental applications. Indental filling procedure which is a pervasive issue in dentistry in addition to the maintaining the health and strength of the teeth, their appearance is also very important to be preserved. In this paper, multi-functional composites, their components, three different types of polymer matrix, polymerization reaction, and physical properties of these composites are investigated. The advanced polymer filler materials introduced in to the market over 50 years illustrate that they are viable alternatives to amalgam both in terms of appearance and physical and chemical properties. Monomers including conventional methacrylates, methacrylates with low shrinkage and silver, and their fillers and coupling agents are discussed.