Near–infrared light–cured dental restoration materials with upconversion nanoparticles

Dental caries is one of the most prevalent oral diseases throughout life. In this work, we report near infrared (NIR) light–cured dental restoration materials with judiciously designed upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) as NIR-to-UV/vis light nanotransducers. The mechanical properties, in vitro and in vivo biocompatibility and teeth restoration performance are investigated in details. This research can pave an avenue for NIR dental restoration chemistry and their widespread applications in biomedical science. [Display omitted] •Upconversion nanoparticles are used as 808 nm NIR-to-UV/vis light nanotransducer.•NIR light–cured dental restoration materials exhibit high mechanical properties.•The in vitro and in vivo biocompatibility of the resulting materials are evaluated.•NIR light-driven restoration of extracted teeth from patients has been performed. Development of light–cured dental restoration materials with superior tissue penetration and mechanical properties is of paramount significance for treating oral diseases such as dental caries, which are among the most prevalent diseases globally. Herein, we report near–infrared (NIR) light–cured dental restoration materials with judiciously designed upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) as NIR-to-UV/Vis light nanotransducers. 808 nm NIR light-driven photopolymerization of methacrylate-thiol-ene resin materials is demonstrated, a photocuring depth of more than 11 cm is obtained for the resulting resin, and a NIR photocuring depth of more than 5 mm can be still achieved in the resin composite materials with 40 wt% SiO2 nanofillers. Importantly, the as-proposed dental restoration materials are found to exhibit superior mechanical properties, which can be comparable with commercial dental resin composites that are photocured by blue light. The in vitro and in vivo biocompatibility of the resulting materials was evaluated, and NIR light-driven restoration of the extracted teeth from periodontal or third molar-extracted patients was performed. This research can pave an avenue for NIR dental restoration chemistry and its widespread applications in biomedical science.