Study of Compounds Released from Experimental Dental Composite Formulated Through In Situ Sol‐Gel Process

The development of experimental dental composites requires evaluation of the release of residual compounds such as unpolymerized monomers, photoinitiators, and coupling agents. These unreacted monomers result from incomplete polymerization and can degrade into other products. This study focused on the release of Bisphenol A‐glycidyl methacrylate (Bis‐GMA), Triethylene glycol dimethacrylate (TEGDMA), bisphenol A (BPA), and camphorquinone (CQ) from an experimental dental composite containing 50 wt.% fillers, formulated via an in situ sol‐gel process. The objective was to understand degradation mechanisms and assess long‐term biocompatibility. Release was measured over time in different media using high‐performance liquid chromatography‐mass spectrometry (LC‐MS) for qualitative and quantitative analysis. The main released products were the monomers Bis‐GMA and TEGDMA, CQ, and BPA, a degradation product of Bis‐GMA. Additional hydrolysis and degradation products were also identified. Release amounts varied with medium and molecule type. CQ showed the highest release (∼48% in ethanol, 1.6% in saliva), while BPA was the lowest (∼0.01% in ethanol, < 0.002% in saliva). TEGDMA release was greater in artificial saliva (0.2%), whereas Bis‐GMA release was higher in ethanol/water (14%).