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NANOFIL®: From Materials Research to Everyday Restorations

2026-10-21
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NANOFIL® brings together nano and filling; its Chinese name is “纳诺” (Na Nuo). From the start of our dental materials business in 1988 to the establishment of NANOFIL in 2011, our aim has been to turn resins and fillers studied at the microscopic scale into materials dentists can use in everyday restorations.

NANOFIL®: From Materials Research to Everyday Restorations(Image1)

1. Starting with Dental Alloys

Our research foundations lie in the Central Iron & Steel Research Institute. The silver alloy powder patent CN85100673B, filed on 1 April 1985, used a rapidly rotating cooling roller to process molten alloy, followed by grinding, sieving and annealing to produce powder. This brought the team's metallurgical process experience into dental materials development.

In 1988, we began our dental restorative materials business with GK amalgam capsules. Patent CN2032067U, filed on 21 July that year, used a separating membrane and plunger to store measured quantities of alloy powder and mercury separately before mixing. From powder preparation to predosed capsules, this work became an important starting point in the GK brand story.

Government-commissioned materials research, support from China's National 863 Program, and collaboration with institutions including Peking University School of Stomatology and West China School of Stomatology, Sichuan University, helped us expand from metal alloys into resin systems, studying filler size, dispersion and interfacial bonding. On 7 November 2003, AT&M Biomaterials Co., Ltd. was incorporated, then controlled by Advanced Technology & Materials Co., Ltd. (Shenzhen stock code 000969), carrying forward the business begun in 1988.

2. Combining Resins and Fillers to Create NanoFil

Our formulation work builds on the longer development of dental composites. In 1963, R. L. Bowen published his study of a silica-reinforced polymer for dental restorations. Continued advances in Bis-GMA matrices, inorganic fillers, interfacial bonding, curing mechanisms and material consistency have since produced today's range of dental composites. Following this path, we focused on improving our own filler combinations, dispersion processes and handling properties.

On 15 December 2005, AT&M and the Central Iron & Steel Research Institute jointly filed “A Dental Composite Resin,” application number CN200510134247.3, main classification A61K6/08. The research combined silanized barium aluminosilicate glass fillers averaging approximately 0.4 μm with silica averaging 20–40 nm in a resin matrix. The patent was granted on 20 May 2009 as CN100488486C. ATBIO subsequently held an exclusive implementation licence, recorded on 13 July 2011 and 2 April 2015, connecting formulation research more closely with manufacturing.

Before launch, the early NanoFil underwent three years of clinical trials, alongside performance testing, biocompatibility assessment and registration preparation. In our development experience at the time, the clinical costs and time involved in China's Class III registration route exceeded those of contemporary overseas Class II routes. In 2011, “Dental Polymer-Based Filling and Restorative Material,” with the trade name NanoFil Light-Cured Composite Resin, obtained Chinese Class III medical device registration under 国食药监械(准)字2011第3631332号, marking the establishment of NANOFIL.

The early product used visible-light curing and contained Bis-GMA, TEGDMA and dental barium aluminosilicate glass powder as its principal components. It offered 16 shades across the A, B, C and D groups in 4.5 g syringes for filling and restoring tooth defects. In 2019, subsequent product registration was recorded under 国械注准20193171933. From formulation and manufacturing to inspection and supply, NanoFil gradually became part of everyday restorative dentistry.

3. Continuing Research Around Restorative Needs

In 2011, the National Engineering Laboratory for Oral Digital Medical Technology and Materials, jointly proposed by Peking University School of Stomatology and AT&M, received approval from China's National Development and Reform Commission. It was inaugurated on 11 November and passed its project completion review on 31 August 2015. Combining applied research, engineering development, clinical validation and standards research, this platform supported our continuing academic–industry collaboration.

Different needs in core restoration, tooth protection and filling have driven us to explore resin materials further:

  • Curing mechanisms. Filed by AT&M on 17 April 2013, CN103356391B combines light-curing and chemical-curing mechanisms in the formulation and preparation of a dual-cure core build-up resin.

  • Root surface protection. A study of resin-based coating durability involving our researchers, published in 2016, compared a coating material with a self-etch adhesive under water aging, acid demineralization and toothbrush abrasion conditions.

  • Nanofiller dispersion. Filed by ATBIO on 11 March 2016, CN105708713B addresses inorganic nanofiller dispersion and formulation design for pit and fissure sealants.

  • Material composition. On 28 November 2017, we jointly filed CN108014021B with Peking University Hospital of Stomatology, incorporating prepolymerized resin powder into a resin matrix and filler combination. The patent was granted on 4 March 2022.

Our products have also entered evaluations by other research teams. A 2019 study of water sorption and hygroscopic changes in five core buildup resins at Capital Medical University School of Stomatology included NanoFil alongside Smart Dentin Replacement, ParaCore, LuxaCore Z and EmbraceCore to examine water uptake and dimensional change.

In 2025, researchers affiliated with dental institutions at China Medical University, Anhui Medical University and Dalian Medical University published an in vitro study of Class II restoration microleakage under three etching modes. Using 135 extracted premolars, they compared four Chinese resins, including our material, with 3M Filtek Z350 XT. After 5,000 thermal cycles, they examined margins and bonding interfaces using dye penetration, scanning electron microscopy and Micro-CT.

In that experiment, our tested resin showed marginal sealing similar to 3M Filtek Z350 XT; microleakage under etch-and-rinse and selective-etch modes was lower than under self-etch mode. The paper also reported an inorganic filler content of up to 75% and silanized glass powder in the tested ATBIO resin. The influence of both formulation and technique on restorations keeps us focused on connecting materials research with practical use.

4. From One Resin to More Restorative Choices

Building on the early NanoFil, we developed universal, flowable and core build-up resins, together with supporting adhesives, surface treatment materials and cements.

Restorative choices include Z250 for anterior and posterior teeth, P60 for posterior teeth, Flowable for lining and filling, Universal Aesthetic Resin and ONELUX One-Shade Universal Composite. For core restoration, we offer DC Core Dual-Cure Core Build-Up Composite.

Supporting materials include Perfect-Link Universal Adhesive, which supports etch-and-rinse, selective-etch and self-etch modes; Bonding Agent; phosphoric acid etchant gel; and NanoCem Ultimate Dual-Cure Resin Cement for indirect restorative cementation. Dentists can select materials according to the case, material characteristics and each product's instructions.

5. Bringing Research into Manufacturing and Overseas Markets

As our business developed, we built ISO 9001 and ISO 13485 quality management systems, implemented medical device Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) requirements, and completed our EN ISO 13485 certification renewal in 2026, connecting design and development, manufacturing, inspection and product release.

Products including our dental nanocomposite filling resin received Beijing Independent Innovation Product Certificates, while dental filling resins and other products obtained EU CE certification. Continued product registration and quality system development supported our expansion overseas. Today, ATBIO's sales network reaches more than 100 countries, working with dentists, distributors and brand partners to advance product applications.

6. From GK's Transition to NANOFIL Nova

On 16 August 2017, the Minamata Convention on Mercury entered into force for China. As dental amalgam is gradually phased out and restorative dentistry moves toward mercury-free materials, we have shifted our business focus from GK amalgam capsules to light-cured composite resins, glass ionomer cements and other materials. NANOFIL has taken an important role in this transition, carrying forward the research, manufacturing and dental market experience of the GK years.

NANOFIL Nova is our next step. Taking its name from the idea of a new star, Nova combines our existing resin research with the expertise of ATBIO's U.S. research and development centre to advance formulation, handling consistency and shade design. Nova Universal Composite offers different series and multiple shades, while ONELUX CHROME explores a different approach to shade design as a one-shade universal composite.

From GK to NanoFil and Nova, we have continued working to turn each step in materials research into choices that better meet everyday restorative needs.

About ATBIO

AT&M Biomaterials Co., Ltd. (ATBIO), based in Beijing, develops and manufactures dental materials and provides related services. NANOFIL® is one of its brands. Explore the current range on the NANOFIL brand page.

References

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