Maxillofacial Materials Reinforced with Various Concentrations of Polyhedral Silsesquioxanes

This study evaluates two mechanical properties, tensile strength and tear strength, of maxillofacial materials reinforced with functional polyhedral silsesquioxane (POSS) nanoparticles at 0.0, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, and 5.0% (mass/mass) loading. Adding POSS was found to significantly affect the overall tensile strength and extensibility of the maxillofacial material. Significant differences were found in mean peak load (p=.050) and extension before failure (p=.050), respectively, between concentrations of 0% and 5%. For tear resistance, a significant difference was observed in mean load (p=.002) between concentrations of 1% and 5%. Significant differences were also observed in extension before failure between concentrations of 0% and 1% (p=.002) and between 0% and 2% (p=.002). Increased resistance to tensile or shearing stresses could lead to greater clinical longevity. The following results suggest that functional nanoparticles can be used to improve properties without compromising clinical handling.