Flexural Strength of Orthodontic Sealant Containing Low Stress Monomers and Microcapsules

Abstract

White spots lesions are a widely common side effect of orthodontic therapy. Orthodontic appliances increase the difficulty of removing plaque that leads to unaesthetic white spot lesions. Orthodontic sealant placed before the orthodontic appliance could potentially mitigate the demineralization of tooth enamel preventing white spot lesions from occurring. In this study orthodontic sealant formulas were designed with the ability to release ions through the use of microcapsule technology to prevent the causes of white spot lesions. To meet the recommendations of the scientific committee on emerging and newly identified health risks, the formulations were also designed to be Bis-GMA free. This study examines the flexural strength of these formulations and explores the effects of different variables on mechanical properties. The variables include: the type of low stress monomer in the continuous phase, the ratio within the continuous phase, the amount of glass loaded, the amount of fumed silica loaded, and the inclusion of low viscosity monomers. This study confirms that these variables affect the flexural strength of the formulas and shows the potential of developing an ion eluting orthodontic sealant that could stop the formation of white spot lesions.