Nano DCPA-whisker composites with high strength and Ca and PO4 release

The main challenges facing composite restorations are secondary caries and bulk fracture. The objective of this study was to develop nano DCPA (dicalcium phosphate anhydrous)-whisker composites with high strength and Ca and PO4 ion release to combat caries. Flexural strength for the nano DCPA-whisker composites at a nano DCPA:whisker mass ratio of 1:2 ranged from (148 +/- 9) MPa to (167 +/- 23) MPa, significantly higher than the (103 +/- 32) MPa of an inlay/onlay commercial control composite without Ca-PO4 release. The nano DCPA-whisker composite released PO4 to a concentration of (1.95 +/- 0.13) mmol/L and Ca of (0.68 +/- 0.05) mmol/L. Compared with previous conventional Ca- and PO4-releasing composites, the nano DCPA-whisker composites had strengths two-fold higher, and released comparable or higher levels of Ca and PO4. In conclusion, combining nano-DCPA with whiskers yielded novel composites that released high levels of Ca and PO4 requisite for remineralization. These high-strength composites may provide a unique combination of stress-bearing and caries-inhibiting capabilities.