Dental Glass Ceramic Crystallization by Blue Light for Chairside Restorations
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional processes for preparing dental glass ceramic restorations are time-consuming, requiring multiple visits to the dentist and significant energy consumption, and do not allow for efficient chairside treatment.
Innovation Solution
A process using light irradiation with wavelengths between 350 to 500 nm to heat treat dental glass ceramics mill or press blanks, allowing for rapid preparation of dental restorations with high mechanical and aesthetic properties in less than 10 minutes, enabling chairside treatment and reducing energy consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If conventional dental furnace heat treatment is used, then mechanical and aesthetic properties are achieved, but treatment time is long and energy consumption is high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the conventional thermal field (conductive/convective heating) with a photonic field (light irradiation at 350-500 nm wavelength). This substitution enables direct energy transfer to the glass ceramic material, achieving heat treatment in less than 10 minutes compared to conventional furnace processes that require hours, thereby resolving the contradiction between achieving mechanical properties and reducing treatment time
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of energy delivery from thermal conduction/ convection to optical radiation. By using light in the 350-500 nm wavelength range, the energy absorption and conversion efficiency is dramatically improved, allowing the same heat treatment effect to be achieved in a fraction of the time and with significantly reduced energy consumption
2Strength
If conventional dental furnace heat treatment is used, then crystallization and mechanical strength are improved, but energy consumption is significant
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the energy-intensive conventional furnace heating system with a targeted light irradiation system operating at 350-500 nm. This photonic approach delivers energy directly to the material with high efficiency, achieving the required crystallization and mechanical strength improvement with significantly lower overall energy consumption compared to heating entire furnace chambers
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies light irradiation immediately after the restoration is prepared from the mill or press blank, performing the heat treatment activation in advance before final placement. This timing optimization ensures the material reaches its optimal mechanical state without requiring prolonged energy input, thereby reducing total energy consumption while maintaining strength gains
3Manufacturing precision
If conventional multi-visit process is used, then proper fit and quality are ensured, but patient convenience is reduced and temporary restorations are needed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the multi-visit conventional workflow with a single-visit chairside process by using light irradiation to activate the glass ceramic material directly in the patient's mouth. This eliminates the need for temporary restorations and multiple appointments while maintaining quality control, as the activation process can be monitored and controlled in real-time during the single visit
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables the restoration to undergo its final activation and crystallization process in situ within the patient's mouth using light irradiation. This self-completion capability at the chairside allows the restoration to achieve its final mechanical properties without requiring external laboratory processing or temporary protective measures, thereby improving patient convenience while maintaining manufacturing precision
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 process achieves high-quality dental restorations with improved mechanical and aesthetic properties in a single visit, reducing the need for temporary restorations and minimizing energy use.
Implementation Method 1
heat treating the indirect dental restoration obtained in step (a) or (b) at a temperature below the melting point of the dental glass ceramics for at least 15 seconds by irradiating light having a wavelength in the range of 350 to 500 nm
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention provides a process for preparing a dental restoration comprising the following steps: (a1) providing a dental glass ceramics mill blank and machining an indirect dental restoration from the mill blank, or (a2) providing a dental glass ceramics press blank and pressing an indirect dental restoration from the press blank; and (b) heat treating the indirect dental restoration obtained in step (a1) or (a2) at a temperature below the melting point of the dental glass ceramics for at least 15 seconds by irradiating light having a wavelength in the range of 350 to 500 nm, for preparing the dental restoration. Moreover, the present invention provides a dental furnace, in particular for use in the process of the present invention.