Alginic Acid Dental Material Viscosity Stabilization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Dental alginate impression materials face challenges in maintaining stable viscosity over time, leading to deteriorated handleability and storage stability, as existing methods using additives often result in decreased initial viscosity or limited composition applicability.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a non-reducing sugar, such as trehalose, into the alginic acid-containing aqueous composition to suppress the time-dependent decrease in viscosity without affecting the initial viscosity, thereby stabilizing the composition's properties.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If an additive is blended into the alginic acid-containing aqueous composition to suppress viscosity decrease, then the storage stability is improved, but the initial viscosity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage stabilityVSAvoidinitial viscosity

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the chemical parameter of the sugar component by specifically selecting non-reducing sugars (sucrose, trehalose, or maltose) instead of conventional reducing sugars. This parameter change in the chemical structure of the added substance enables simultaneous achievement of viscosity stabilization over storage time and maintenance of high initial viscosity, resolving the technical contradiction between storage stability and initial viscosity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If a reducing sugar is blended into the alginic acid-containing aqueous composition, then the tooth release property is improved, but the time-dependent viscosity decrease is not suppressed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetooth release propertyVSAvoidviscosity stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the chemical parameter of the sugar component from reducing sugars to non-reducing sugars (specifically sucrose, trehalose, or maltose). This parameter change in the chemical structure enables the sugar to function as a viscosity stabilizer without exhibiting reducing properties, thereby simultaneously achieving viscosity stability and maintaining other functional properties like tooth release.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If the alginic acid-containing aqueous composition is stored for a long period, then the handleability deteriorates, but the composition remains stable only with viscosity retention

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovehandleabilityVSAvoidstorage period

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention introduces non-reducing sugar (sucrose, trehalose, or maltose) as an intermediary substance that mediates between the alginic acid molecules and water. This intermediary forms a protective network that prevents excessive water loss and maintains the spacing between polymer chains, thereby preserving handleability even during long-term storage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The use of non-reducing sugars like trehalose effectively maintains viscosity stability over long periods, enhancing the handleability and storage stability of dental alginate impression materials, ensuring improved impression accuracy and reduced moisture evaporation, thus simplifying dental therapy workflows.

Implementation Method 1

a time-dependent decrease in viscosity of an alginic acid-containing aqueous composition utilized in a dental alginate impression material and a base material for a dental alginate impression material is suppressed by further incorporating a non-reducing sugar into the composition

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectViscosity stabilization:

Implementation Method 2

the alginic acid or the derivative thereof has property of gelling upon contact with a polyvalent metal ion such as a calcium ion

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGelling: Gel

Data Source

PatentEP2561852B1Alginic acid-containing aqueous composition, alginate impression material for dental applications, and substrate for alginate impression material for dental applications

Publication Date: 2019.11.27 TOKUYAMA DENTAL CORP

Figure 1~2

AI summary

Provided is an aqueous composition containing alginic acid or a derivative thereof, the composition having a viscosity retained stably over a long period of time. The alginic acid-containing aqueous composition includes alginic acid or a derivative thereof (A), water (B), and a non-reducing sugar (C). Also provided are a dental alginate impression material and a base material for a dental alginate impression material each using the composition, in which the viscosity of the aqueous composition is stably maintained for a long period.