Effect of Lithium-Doped Bioglass Microparticles on Mechanical Properties of a Universal Adhesive

Objectives: To determine the effect of the incorporation of microparticles of bioactive glass doped with lithium (µBGLi), in different concentrations, on the mechanical properties of ultimate tensile strength (UTS), flexural strength (FS), elastic modulus (EM) and sorption (Sp) and solubility (So) in water of a universal adhesive.
Methods: Three universal adhesives were formulated according to the addition of µBGLi in concentrations of 0% (commercial control), 5% and 10% w/v. Specimens were designed for each experimental group (n=30), 10 for UTS, 10 for FS and EM, and 10 for Sp/So. For all tests, samples were analyzed after 24 h and 28 days of storage in water. All data were subjected to adequate analysis, and statistical significance was preset at α = 0.05.
Results: At immediate time, for UTS and FS no significant differences were observed among the rest of the groups compared to the control group. Additionally, statistically higher EM values were observed in the 10% concentration group compared to the control group (0%). After 28 days, statistically higher FS and EM values were observed in the 10% concentration group compared to the control group (0%). On the other hand, for UTS no significant differences were observed among the rest of the groups compared to the control group. In relation to Sp, no significant differences were observed in the intergroup comparison, while So was lower when incorporating both concentrations of µBVLi.
Conclusions: The addition of µBGLi in concentrations of up to 10% to a universal adhesive can be an alternative to maintain and even improve the mechanical properties of the evaluated adhesives.