Through nanotechnology towards the next generation dental restorative materials

NANODENT

PN-III-P4-PCE-2021-0292

(92PCE/2022)

The solution developed in the research project will lead to a completion of the teeth treatment through the possibility of having antibacterial properties and slow release after the cavity is closed, with enhanced mechanical properties.

Project goal

The main goal of the project is to propose a potential dental restorative material with simultaneous antibacterial properties and enhanced mechanical strength, based on substituted apatitic nanomaterials (decorated with metallic nanoparticles) and natural compounds, applicable in cement base (glass-ionomer cements).

Contracting authority: Executive Unit for Financing Higher Education, Research, Development and Innovation (UEFISCDI)

Implementation period: 09/05/2022-31/12/2024

Budget: 1.200.000 lei

Project director: Dr. Habil. Radu Claudiu Fierăscu

  • Scientific concept
  • Novelty
  • Objectives
  • Phase I
  • Phase II
  • Phase III
  • Results 
Scientific concept

The scientific concept of the project is based on some specific logical steps:

S1. Synthesis of modified apatitic nanomaterials (MAN), substituted with different metals such as zinc, silver, titanium etc., and further decorated with mono or bimetallic phytosynthesized nanoparticles and metallic oxides nanoparticles (such as silver and silver oxide nanoparticles, zinc and zinc oxides nanoparticles, silver/zinc bimetallic nanoparticles, etc.), with controlled morphologies and properties;

S2. Demonstration of their enhanced properties;

S3. Enriching the MAN with natural compounds (commercially available polyphenols, such as eugenol, gallic acid, or catechin, for example) – NNC;

S4. Obtaining nanoparticle-based platforms (incorporation of apatitic materials enhanced with natural compounds in glass-ionomer cements – NGI);

S5. Demonstration of the enhanced properties of the obtained

nanoparticle-based platforms (NGI);

S6. Demonstration of their efficiency in the laboratory model (simulated conditions);

S7. Validation of the proposed solution.


Novelty

The main goal of the project is to propose a potential dental restorative material with simultaneous antibacterial properties and enhanced mechanical strength, based on substituted apatitic nanomaterials (decorated with metallic nanoparticles) and natural compounds, applicable in cement base (glass-ionomer cements). The degree of novelty of the proposed project emerges from the properties of the proposed material related with potential final application: simultaneous antibacterial and enhanced mechanical strength of the developed nanomaterials-based structures, applicable in the cement base (glass-ionomer cements). 

Objectives

The specific objectives that will ensure the achievement of project aim are:

SO1. development of substituted apatitic materials with enhanced antimicrobial properties;

SO2. phytosynthesis of mono and bimetallic nanoparticles based on “green chemistry” approaches (with extracts obtained from autochthonous plants belonging to the Lamiaceae family – Thymus serpyllum L., 1753, Satureja hortensis L., 1753, Melissa officinalis L., Mentha spicata L., etc.) and their application for the decoration of the apatitic materials, in order to obtain modified apatitic nanomaterials (MAN) with enhanced antimicrobial properties

SO3. enrichment of the MAN with natural compounds (NNC)

SO4.incorporation of NNC in glass-ionomer cements and the demonstration of their efficiency

Phase I

Development of apatitic nanostructures with potential use in improving current dental restorative materials.

Deployment period: 09/05/2022 – 31/12/2022

Activities:

  • Synthesis and characterization of apatitic materials
  • Assessing the possibilities of incorporating modified apatitic nanomaterials (MAN) into glass ionomer cements
  • Assessment of antimicrobial properties and biocompatibility of apatitic nanomaterials – Part I
  • Synthesis and characterization of phytosynthesized metallic and bimetallic nanoparticles
  • Evaluation of the antimicrobial properties of phytosynthesized NPs
  • Dissemination of results and project;
Phase II

Optimizing the decoration of apatitic materials. Enrichment of apatitic materials modified with natural compounds – part I.

Deployment period: 01/01/2023 – 31/12/2023

Activities:

  • Assessment of antimicrobial properties and biocompatibility of apatitic nanomaterials – Part II
  • Evaluation of the mechanical properties of new apatitic materials
  • Optimization of apatitic materials taking into account their morphologies, antimicrobial, mechanical properties and biocompatibility
  • Optimization of phytosynthesys parameters and decoration of apathetic nanomaterials for the development of modified apatitic nanomaterials (MAN).
  • Optimizing the decoration of apatitic materials with phytosynthesized nanoparticles to achieve optimal properties
  • Obtaining and characterizing MANs enriched with natural compounds
  • Dissemination of results and project
Phase III

Enrichment of apatitic materials modified with natural compounds – part II. Incorporation of modified apatitic materials enhanced with natural compounds in glass ionomer cements (for obtaining platforms based on nanomaterials – NGI) and study of their influence on the mechanical properties of GIC. Demonstration and validation of the improved properties of the obtained NGIs.

Deployment period: 01/01/2024 – 31/12/2024

Activities:

  • Evaluation of antimicrobial effects and biocompatibility of MAN enriched with natural compounds
  • Evaluation of the mechanical properties of apatitic materials enriched with natural compounds
  • Obtaining and characterizing glass ionomer cements based on nanomaterials enriched with natural compounds (NGI) with improved mechanical properties.
  • Evaluation of antimicrobial properties and NGI biocompatibility
  • Evaluation of the release of active compounds under conditions similar to real ones (synthetic saliva solutions).
  • Evaluation of antibacterial effects and biocompatibility under conditions similar to real ones (synthetic saliva solutions)
  • Evaluation of mechanical properties, adhesion and thermal insulation properties in conditions similar to real ones (synthetic saliva solutions); validation of the proposed solution
  • Development of technical documentation for technology and products and patent applications
  • Dissemination of results and project
Results 
Expected results
  • at least 8 published articles in Q1/Q2 scientific journals, preferably open-access publications
  • at least 10 participations at international conference
  • at least 6 participations at inventions exhibitions,
  • publication of a book on the project topic at a foreign publication house;
  • workshop
  • at least two patent applications
Obtained results
ISI articles
  1. Ungureanu, C.; Fierascu, I.; Fierascu, R.C. Sustainable Use of Cruciferous Wastes in Nanotechnological Applications. Coatings 2022, 12, 769. https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings12060769
  2. Fierascu, I.C.; Fierascu, I.; Baroi, A.M.; Ungureanu, C.; Ortan, A.; Avramescu, S.M.; Somoghi, R.; Fierascu, R.C.; Dinu-Parvu, C.E. Phytosynthesis of Biological Active Silver Nanoparticles Using Echinacea purpurea L. Extracts. Materials 2022, 15, 7327. https://doi.org/10.3390/ma15207327
  3. Fierascu, R.C. Incorporation of Nanomaterials in Glass Ionomer Cements—Recent Developments and Future Perspectives: A Narrative Review. Nanomaterials 2022, 12, 3827. https://doi.org/10.3390/nano12213827
Scientific conferences
  1. The International Symposium “priorities of chemistry for a sustainable development” PRIOCHEM – XVIII-th Edition. October 26-28, 2022, Development of phytosynthesized nanoparticles with enhanced biological properties, Ioana Cătălina Fierăscu, Irina Fierăscu, Anda Maria Baroi, Camelia Ungureanu, Alina Orțan, Simona Spinu, Sorin Marius Avramescu, Raluca Șomoghi, Radu Claudiu Fierăscu, Valetina Anuta, Cristina Elena Dinu-Pârvu
  2. Physics of Materials – PM 7 2022, At the Frontier Between Materials Science and Biotechnology: Nanomaterials Phytosynthesis, I. Fierascu, R.C. Fierascu, A.M. Baroi, R.I. Matei (Brazdis), T. Fistos, I.C. Fierascu, I. Chican, I.S. Hosu (Invited lecture)
Invention exhibitions
  1. IDEA (IDEA, Novelty, Invention and craft) International Exhibition, Abony, Hungary – Through nanotechnology towards the next generation dental restorative materials (NanoDent) – Radu Claudiu Fierascu, Irina Fierascu, Anda Maria Baroi, Roxana Ioana Matei, Toma Fistos, Lia Mara Ditu (Gold medal)
  2. International Exhibition of Inventions and Innovations “TRAIAN VUIA – 2022 Timisoara – Through nanotechnology towards the next generation dental restorative materials (NanoDent) – Radu Claudiu Fierascu, Irina Fierascu, Anda Maria Baroi, Roxana Ioana Matei, Toma Fistos, Lia Mara Ditu (Bronze medal)
  3. 7th International Inventions Fair – ISIF’22 – Through nanotechnology towards the next generation dental restorative materials (NanoDent) – Radu Claudiu Fierascu, Irina Fierascu, Anda Maria Baroi, Roxana Ioana Matei, Toma Fistos, Lia Mara Ditu (Silver medal)

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Institutional & personal awards

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Book
Workshop
Patent applications
Phase reports
Phase 1

Summary

Acidic attack by cariogenic bacteria associated with plaque biofilm development is responsible for dental caries, a biofilm-dependent infectious disease that damages teeth through mineral loss and has a high incidence of the use of polymers for clinical restoration. The complexity of oral biofilms contributes to the difficulty of developing new effective dental materials. The oral cavity is an ideal environment for microbial cell growth, persistence and plaque formation.

The presence of different microniches leads to the appearance of different biofilm communities, formed on the surface of the teeth, above the gingival crevice or at the subgingival level, on the tongue, mucous membranes or on dental prosthetic materials. In this context, nanotechnology has the potential to be explored in the development of bioactive dental materials to reduce or modulate the activities of caries-related bacteria. The main goal of the project is to propose a potential dental restorative material with antibacterial properties simultaneously with increased mechanical resistance, based on substituted apatitic nanomaterials (decorated with metal nanoparticles) and natural compounds, applicable in glass ionomer cements. The project proposal responds to a real practical demand arising from discussions with the dental community.

The degree of novelty of the proposed project emerges from the properties of the proposed material related to the potential final application: improved mechanical resistance and simultaneous antibacterial activity of the structures developed based on nanomaterials, applicable in glass ionomer cements.

The activities planned to be carried out during the first year of implementation were:

  • Act. 1.1. Synthesis and characterization of apatite materials
  • Act. 1.2. Evaluation of the possibilities of incorporating modified apatite nanomaterials (NAM) in glass ionomer cements
  • Act. 1.3. Evaluation of antimicrobial properties and biocompatibility of apatitic nanomaterials – Part I
  • Act. 1.4. Synthesis and characterization of phytosynthesized metallic and bimetallic nanoparticles
  • Act. 1.5. Evaluation of antimicrobial properties of phytosynthesized nanoparticles – Part I
  • Act. 1.6. Dissemination of the results and the project.

The proposed activities were carried out in full, supporting the continuation of the project in the year 2023. Thus, they identified the possibilities of incorporating different types of target materials (apatitic materials, nanoparticles, etc.) and both apatitic materials and phytosynthesized metal nanoparticles were developed and studied .

The obtained results were disseminated within the scientific community, the results of the dissemination being widely presented on the project website (Romanian version – https://icechim.ro/project/nanodent/, English version – https:// icechim.ro/project/nanodent_en/), but also through the weekly Newsletter of the Ministry of Research, Innovation and Digitalization.

No
Estimated results
Obtained results
1

Preliminary report on the development of modified apatite nanomaterials (NAM);

The preliminary report on the possibilities to develop modified apatite nanomaterials was performed, synthesizing and characterizing a series of modified apatite materials


2

Report on the possibilities of incorporating the developed nanomaterials into glass ionomer cements

The report on the modification of glass ionomer cements with nanomaterials was elaborated (published as a review paper)

3

Preliminary report on the antimicrobial properties of apatite nanomaterials

The preliminary report on the antimicrobial properties of the obtained apatite materials was elaborated

4

Report on the antimicrobial properties of phytosynthesized NP

The report on the antimicrobials properties of phytosynthesized NPs was elaborated (published as two ISI articles)


5

Submission for publication of at least two ISI articles in Q1/Q2 journals

Three ISI articles were published in Q1/Q2 journals

6

Participation in at least one scientific event

Two participations in international scientific events were recorded

7

Participation in at least 1 invention salon

Three participations in invention salons were recorded, obtaining a series of prizes, presented on the project website

8

Project web page and online campaign on social media

The project website was developed, both in Romanian and in English; of the project was disseminated through social media, but also through MCID’s weekly Newsletter

Phase 2
Phase 3