Bioactive Self-Polymerizing Resin with Surface Pre-Reacted Glass Ionomer Fillers for Suppressed Enamel Demineralization

The treatment of damaged enamel surfaces involves modification of the enamel surface with artificial materials or the development of a pseudo-enamel, with research focusing on bioactive and biomimetic materials. In this study, a bioactive auto-polymerizing resin (APR) was developed by adding surface-pre-reacted glass ionomer (S-PRG) fillers of different quantities to APR. Its bioactive effects were evaluated via pH neutralization, ion release, and inhibition of enamel demineralization studies. The pH and fluoride ion release were measured using ion-specific electrodes, revealing that the APR disk with the S-PRG filler immediately neutralized the lactic acid solution (pH 4.0) through ion release. Inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry revealed that the Sr ion release peaked on the first day, with the other ions following the order F > B > Si > Al > Na, exhibiting a weekly decrease in the same order. Scanning electron microscopy was used to examine the enamel block morphology of the disks after 7 d of incubation, revealing enamel demineralization in disks without the S-PRG filler, whereas no demineralization occurred in disks with the S-PRG filler. APR containing the S-PRG filler demonstrated acid buffering suppressed enamel demineralization and bioactive properties.