Dr Aqsa Qambrani

PhD Scholar

a.qambrani@surrey.ac.uk

Academic and research departments

About

My research project

Developing Bioinspired Novel Dental Crowns from ZrO2-PMMA Composite for Post-radiation-associated Dental Caries

Post-radiation therapy, the mechanical properties of teeth are significantly compromised, leading to enamel degradation and weakened dentine that cannot adequately support conventional dental crowns. In this study, we investigate the mechanical performance of custom-designed dental crowns fabricated from biocompatible Zirconia–PMMA composites, tailored to meet the specific needs of post-radiation patients. To enhance toughness, the microstructural architecture of natural nacre was replicated within the composite design. This bioinspired dental crown aims to provide head and neck cancer survivors with a durable and functional restoration, facilitating a faster return to normal life.

Supervisors

Tan Sui

Tao Chen

Publications

Huijun Sun, Aukrit Luangpattarawong, Parinaz Tabrizian, Aqsa Qambrani, Tan Sui, Angela H. Nobbs, Tony Ireland, Bo Su (2026)Bio-inspired nacre-like glass flake/polymer composites with antibacterial function and translucent appearance, In: Journal of dentistry166106327 Elsevier Ltd

DOI: 10.1016/j.jdent.2025.106327

Objectives This study aims to develop a bio-inspired nacre-like glass flake/polymer composite with enhanced mechanical properties, antibacterial function, and aesthetic appearance for potential dental applications. Methods Self-assembly via vacuum filtration was used to align glass flakes into a layered structure. After heat treatment, monomers containing methyl methacrylate (MMA), acrylic acid (AA) and dimethylaminohexadecyl methacrylate (DMAHDM) were infiltrated into the glass flake scaffold and polymerised in situ. The nacre-like microstructure of the composites was characterised and mechanical tests, including flexural strength, elastic modulus and fracture toughness, were conducted to optimise the DMAHDM content (0, 1.5wt%, and 3 wt%). The antibacterial function of the optimised composite with 1.5 wt% DMAHDM was measured by viable colony-forming unit (CFU) count. Finally, the translucency of the composite with 1.5 wt% DMAHDM was determined. Results The glass flake/polymer composites with different DMAHDM contents all exhibited nacre-like layered microstructures. Adding 3 wt% DMAHDM was shown to significantly lower the flexural strength of the composites. The composite with 1.5 wt% DMAHDM exhibited a flexural strength of 126.97 MPa, comparable to the current benchmark aesthetic dental composite. Moreover, the elastic modulus of the composite with 1.5 wt% DMAHDM (24.75 GPa) was similar to that of human dentine, presenting bio-inspired mechanical property. Its unique crack resistance, characterised by a rising R-curve behaviour and a fracture toughness KJ up to 3.88 MPa.m½, suggested excellent damage tolerance. With the addition of 1.5 wt% DMAHDM, the nacre-like composite demonstrated significant antibacterial function against Streptococcus mutans. Furthermore, the composite retained an aesthetic appearance with a translucency comparable to human enamel. Significance A bio-inspired nacre-like glass flake/polymer composite with good mechanical properties, unique crack resistance, antibacterial function and translucency has been developed for aesthetic dental applications.