Cellulose Fiber from Coconut Coir for Development of Dental Composite Filler

The aim of this study is to treat cellulose obtained from coconut coir for use as filler for flowable composites in class 2 restoration-based applications. The method of this study was bleaching using NaOH and peroxide, cross-linking using NaOH and Urea, and nucleation using ethanol as an organic antisolvent before being dried by a sublimation process. The morphology of the fibers produced and the antibacterial ability became the central point of the observation. The XRD test results formed identical C-N bonds with Nitrocellulose, and a double peak shift occurred at the main peak of cellulose. The FTIR test results showed the formation of a cross-linking bond between cellulose and Nitrogen from Urea to form fibers. The fiber morphology obtained from the SEM images showed that the cellulose from coconut coir fiber was in the form of short fibers measuring 111.95 - 155.2 micrometers with a rough surface and porous inside (hollow tube). Inhibition test results of cellulose-based on coconut coir fiber had inhibition of S. mutans bacteria where the nanocellulose had an inhibitory power. Based on these experimental results, it can be suggested that fiber coconut coir could be used as a promising alternative filler composite in dental material.