Mineralization effect of ion-releasing fiber-reinforced composite in teeth with molar–incisor hypomineralization

Authors

  • Lippo Lassila Department of Biomaterials Science and Turku Clinical Biomaterial Center – TCBC, Institute of Dentistry, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
  • Battsetseg Tseveenjav Department of Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics, Institute of Dentistry, University of Turku, Turku, Finland; Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Diseases, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland; Department of Maxillofacial Surgery, Päijät-Häme Joint Authority for Health and Wellbeing, Päijät-Häme Central Hospital, Lahti, Finland
  • Janna Waltimo-Sirén Department of Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics, Institute of Dentistry, University of Turku, Turku, Finland; The Wellbeing Services County of Southwest Finland, Turku, Finland
  • Pekka Vallittu Department of Biomaterials Science and Turku Clinical Biomaterial Center – TCBC, Institute of Dentistry, University of Turku, Turku, Finland; The Wellbeing Services County of Southwest Finland, Turku, Finland
  • Sufyan Garoushi Department of Biomaterials Science and Turku Clinical Biomaterial Center – TCBC, Institute of Dentistry, University of Turku, Turku, Finland

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.2340/biid.v13.45993

Keywords:

molar–incisor hypomineralization, dentin mineral content, Fuji II LC, ion-releasing, short fiber composite

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the long-term mineralizing effects of an experimental ion-releasing, short fiber-reinforced flowable composite (SFC-active) applied to human teeth with molar–incisor hypomineralization (MIH).

Methods: A total of 16 first permanent molars, extracted due to MIH, received two occlusal restorations each. All cavities were acid-etched for 15 seconds before applying the restorative materials. One of the cavities in each tooth was restored with a commercial conventional particulate-filled composite (PFC; G-aenial Universal Injectable) after placement of the SFC-active liner. The other cavities were restored without the liner, using PFC alone (n = 8) or resin-modified glass ionomer cement (RMGIC; Fuji II LC) alone (n = 8). The teeth were stored in simulated body fluid at 37°C for 30 months. The mineralization effect was assessed at three regions (coronal, middle, and apical) under the restorations using micro-computed tomography (CT) (dentin density), micro-indentation (dentin hardness) and scanning electron microscopy/energy-dispersive spectroscopy (microstructure and calcium-to-phosphorus [Ca/P] ratio) analyses.

Results: Micro-CT analyses revealed no statistically significant differences (p > 0.05) in dentin mineral density between the restorative materials at any of the three regions beneath the restorations. At the coronal region of interface, dentin hardness was higher with SFC-active than with PFC, but lower than with RMGIC (p < 0.05). The Ca/P ratios of dentin varied beneath the different restorations, ranging from 1.49 to 1.60, with the highest ratios observed at the coronal region of the interface with SFC-active. Strontium and fluorine were detected in the dentin adjacent to the RMGIC restorations.

Conclusion: SFC-active demonstrated a positive mineralizing effect on dentin, reflected by higher hardness and Ca/P ratios at the coronal region of the interface. These findings indicate that SFC-active is a promising restorative material for the management of MIH-affected teeth.

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Published

2026-04-30

How to Cite

Lassila, L., Tseveenjav, B., Waltimo-Sirén, J., Vallittu, P., & Garoushi, S. (2026). Mineralization effect of ion-releasing fiber-reinforced composite in teeth with molar–incisor hypomineralization. Biomaterial Investigations in Dentistry, 13(1), 348–357. https://doi.org/10.2340/biid.v13.45993