Dental-Composites

Polymer-Based Dental Composites: Surface Modification of S-Glass Fibres and HNTs

Novel combinations of mechanical and biological properties are required when developing new polymer-based restorative dental composites. This study reports a promising strategy to develop preventive and restorative dental materials by synthesizing multifunctional dental composites reinforced with short S-glass fibres and chitosan integrated halloysite nanotubes (HNTs). An enhanced interfacial bonding strength and a dispersion capability of the micro-/nao-fillers in the dental resin matrix are obtained by the newly developed surface modification process, resulting in increased mechanical and antibacterial properties.

  • Project 1 - A multifunctional dental composite reinforced with short S-glass fibres and chitosan integrated halloysite nanotubes (HNTs).
  • Project 2 – Molecular dynamics study on dental composites.
  • Project 3 – 3D printable dental and bio-composites.

Mechanical/Physical and bi-material interface Characterisation of Dental Composites

Mechanical and physical characteristics such as strength, modulus, toughness, polymerization shrinkage and stress, and rheological properties, for a range of dental materials (ceramics, composites, and human tooth) can be determined using the various cutting-edge methodologies in experimental dental research. Scientific findings and technologies would support dental industry ultimately dedicating to improving clinical practices of dentistry.

  • Project 1 – Mechanical, physical and handling characterisation of flowable and packable dental composites reinforced with micro-sized S-Glass fibres.
  • Project 2 – Progressive failure and fracture analysis of the dental materials using acoustic emission and photonics techniques.
  • Project 3 – Polymerisation stress and curing kinetics of photo-curable and self-curable dental composites.
  • Project 4 – Bimaterial interface analysis using experimental, numerical and analytical approaches.

Tribology of Dental Composites

An ideal tooth restorative material is required to possess mechanical/nanomechanical properties that are similar to natural enamel so that the major tooth function of mastication can be carried out without affecting the vertical dimension of occlusion, etc. This study focusses on the experimental investigation to optimize the composition of fibre reinforced dental composites which helps in increasing the tribological performance of high load-bearing posterior restoration

  • Project 1 - Development of material microstructure – nanomechanical/tribological property relations
  • Project 2 - Synthesis of novel dental materials with improved nanomechanical/tribological performance

Finite Element Study on Dental Composites

  • Investigating coupled temperature-displacement in reinforced dental composites
  • analysing stress at the restoration-tooth Interface due to mechanical loadings
  • Evaluating fracture toughness of dental resin composites
  • Developing density–modulus relationship for enamel and dentine
  • Investigating biomechanical behaviour of functionally graded biomaterials dental implant


  • Project 1: Structural optimization of dental restorations for reducing stress singularity and controlling fracture
  • Project 2: Improvement of mechanical and thermal properties at the inlay-cement-tooth interface: reducing stress singularity and controlling fracture 
  • Project 3: Optimizing mechanical properties flowable resin composites restorations using random S-glass fibres