Nacre-like ceramic composites: properties, functions and fabrication in the context of dental restorations.

• Main Authors: Le Ferrand, Hortense, Goh, Bee Tin, Teoh, Swee-Hin
• Other Authors: School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: 2024
• Subjects: Engineering; Dental restorations; Properties
• Online Access: https://hdl.handle.net/10356/174057
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

Dental restorations are in increasing demand, yet their success rate strongly decreases after 5-10 years post-implantation, attributed in part to mismatching properties with the surrounding buccal environment that causes failures and wear. Among current research to address this issue, biomimetic approaches are promising. Nacre-like ceramic composites are particularly interesting because they combine multiple antagonistic properties making them more resistant to failure in harsh environment than other materials. With the rapid progress in 3D printing producing nacre-like structures has open up new opportunities not yet realised. In this paper, nacre-like composites of various compositions are reviewed in the context of hypothetical biomimetic dental restorations. Their structural, functional and biological properties are compared with those of dentin, enamel, and bone to determine which composition would be the most suitable for each of the 3 mineralized regions found in teeth. The role of complex microstructures and mineral orientations are discussed as well as 3D printing methods that allow the design and fabrication of such complex architectures. Finally, usage of these processes and anticipated prospects for next generation biomimetic dental replacements are discussed to suggest future research directions in this area.