POSS and SSQ Materials in Dental Applications: Recent Advances and Future Outlooks

Abstract

Recently, silsesquioxanes (SSQ) and polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes (POSS) have gained much interest in the area of biomaterials, mainly due to their intrinsic properties such as biocompatibility, complete non-toxicity, the ability to self-assemble and to form a porous structure, facilitating cell proliferation, creating a superhydrophobic surface, osteoinductivity, and ability to bind hydroxyapatite. All the above has resulted in new developments in medicine. However, the application of POSS-containing materials in dentistry is still at initial stage and deserves a systematic description to ensure future development. Significant problems, such as reduction of polymerization shrinkage, water absorption, hydrolysis rate, poor adhesion and strength, unsatisfactory biocompatibility, and corrosion resistance of dental alloys, can be addressed by the design of multifunctional POSS-containing materials. Because of the presence of silsesquioxanes, it is possible to obtain smart materials that allow the stimulation of phosphates deposition and repairing of micro-cracks in dental fillings. Hybrid composites result in materials exhibiting shape memory, as well as antibacterial, self-cleaning, and self-healing properties. Moreover, introducing POSS into polymer matrix allows for materials for bone reconstruction, and wound healing. This review covers the recent developments in the field of POSS application in dental materials and gives the future perspectives within a promising field of biomedical material science and chemical engineering.

Dentin Bond Strength of Dental Adhesives Functionalized with Polyhedral Oligomeric Silsesquioxanes

“…Previous studies concerning the incorporation of POSS particles into dental adhesives indicated a good dispersion and interaction between both materials [ 4 , 6 ]. It was found that while multifunctional MA-POSS concentrations that exceeded 10 wt.% led to a deterioration of mechanical properties, lower concentrations either did not adversely affect mechanical qualities or were even able to enhance them [ 6 , 10 , 15 , 16 ].…”

Thermoplastic polyurethane/POSS nanohybrids: Synthesis, morphology, and biological properties

“…However, these materials still consist of aromatic MDI 107 . Recent studies have shown that POSS is effective as an osteoinductive modifier, allowing the biomaterials to bind and facilitate bone formation 107–118 . POSS was found to enhance osteoblast adhesion, osteocalcin production by cellular biomineralization, and alkaline phosphatase activity 115,119 .…”

“…107 Recent studies have shown that POSS is effective as an osteoinductive modifier, allowing the biomaterials to bind and facilitate bone formation. [107][108][109][110][111][112][113][114][115][116][117][118] POSS was found to enhance osteoblast adhesion, osteocalcin production by cellular biomineralization, and alkaline phosphatase activity. 115,119 The silicon in the core of POSS is believed to bind calcium ions and trigger the deposition of hydroxyapatite (HAp).…”

NHC‐Rhodium‐Catalyzed Synthesis of Novel Silsesquioxanes Containing S‐Si and S‐Ge Bonds and Their Application in Hydrosilylation Process

“…Polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes (POSS, SQ) with nanosized stable three-dimensional architectures have attracted increasing interest in the design of novel functional hybrid materials for applications in many important areas. [1][2][3][4][5] Recently, much attention has been paid to their use biomedical fields, [6][7][8][9][10] mainly due to their biocompatibility, non-toxicity, thermal and chemical stability, the ability to self-assembly and to form porous structures. [11,12] On top of that, they have been shown to facilitate cell proliferation and create superhydrophobic surfaces.…”