Calcium Silicate Dental Paste Handling and Sealing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current root canal treatment materials, such as ProRoot MTA, have poor handling properties and a sand-like feel, making them difficult to work with, and do not provide an effective seal against bacterial migration, leading to potential infections and complications.

Innovation Solution

A dental composition comprising a mixture of powdered particulate materials like calcium silicate, calcium aluminate, and hydroxyapatite, combined with water-soluble polymers and surfactants, which enhances the material's viscosity, handling, and setting properties, forming a stable barrier against bacterial and fluid leakage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional root canal materials like ProRoot MTA are used, then the material provides some sealing capability, but the handling properties are poor and the material feels sand-like, making it difficult to work with

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing capabilityVSAvoidhandling properties
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a composite material system combining calcium silicate particles (providing sealing and biocompatibility) with water-soluble polymer matrix (providing smooth handling and flowability). This composite approach resolves the contradiction by integrating the advantages of both inorganic particles and organic polymers, eliminating the sand-like feel while maintaining effective sealing capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent modifies the material parameters by controlling particle size distribution (fine calcium silicate particles) and adjusting the polymer concentration and molecular weight. These parameter changes transform the material from a sand-like consistency to a smooth, paste-like formulation that is easy to handle while retaining the sealing properties of calcium silicate.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Manufacturing precision

If the material is made from fine particulate materials to improve sealing, then the sealing effectiveness increases, but the handling becomes more difficult due to sand-like texture

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing effectivenessVSAvoidhandling
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The water-soluble polymer acts as an intermediary substance that binds the fine calcium silicate particles together, creating a cohesive paste. This intermediary material allows the fine particles to be delivered effectively for sealing while the polymer matrix provides smooth handling characteristics, resolving the contradiction between fine particle sealing and ease of handling.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent carefully controls the particle size parameters of calcium silicate (using fine particles for sealing) while simultaneously adjusting the polymer concentration and molecular weight parameters to ensure the mixture remains smooth and easy to handle, transforming the physical characteristics of the composite material.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If traditional sealing materials are used, then the root canal can be filled, but the material does not provide an effective seal against bacterial migration, leading to potential infections

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefilling capabilityVSAvoidbarrier against bacterial migration
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The composite formulation combines calcium silicate (providing biological sealing and antibacterial properties through calcium hydroxide release) with water-soluble polymers (providing physical barrier and adhesion). This composite structure achieves both effective filling and reliable barrier function against bacterial migration, overcoming the limitations of traditional materials.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The calcium silicate component reacts with water to release calcium hydroxide, which creates a high pH environment that acts as a strong oxidizing/antiseptic agent against bacteria. This chemical mechanism provides active antibacterial protection in addition to the physical barrier, ensuring reliable prevention of bacterial migration and infection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #38Strong oxidants (Accelerated oxidation)

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 composition provides improved handling and placement properties, promotes healing of the pulp tissue, and creates a tight seal within the root canal system, reducing bacterial migration and fluid permeation, thus enhancing the success of root canal treatments.

Implementation Method 1

combined with water-soluble polymers and surfactants, which enhances the material's viscosity, handling, and setting properties

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectViscosity enhancement through polymer-surfactant interaction:

Implementation Method 2

The compositions contain a mixture of particulate materials such as calcium silicate, calcium aluminate, calcium hydroxide, and hydroxyapatite

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydration reaction of calcium silicate and calcium aluminate: Hydrates

Implementation Method 3

forming a stable barrier against bacterial and fluid leakage

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectBarrier formation against bacterial and fluid leakage:

Implementation Method 4

surfactants that interact with the polymeric materials

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSurfactant-polymer interaction: Surfactant

Data Source

PatentEP2898873B1A method of treatment of the dental pulp and filling root canals using water-based materials
Publication Date: 2021.04.28 DENTSPLY SIRONA INC
  • EP2898873B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2898873B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2898873B1 patent drawing

AI summary

A composition for use in the treatment of a root canal in a tooth, said composition being a hydrate gel that can harden, which is formed by mixing together a particulate and a liquid carrier, wherein the composition comprises: (A) 1 to 80% by weight of particulate material selected from the group consisting of calcium silicate, calcium aluminate, tetracalcium aluminoferrite, calcium phosphate, calcium sulfate, silica, alumina, calcium oxide, calcium hydroxide, and mixtures thereof; and (B) 1 to 50% by weight liquid carrier comprising (i) water-sodble polymer selected from the group consisting of polyvinyl alcohols, polyvinyl-pyrrolidone (PVP), partially hydrolyzed polyvinyl acetates (PVAc), polyacrylic acid (PAA), and polymethacrylic acid (PMA), and copolymers and mixtures thereof, (ii) 1 to 40 % by weight based on the weight of the composition, of a surfactant selected from the group consisting of alkyl sulfates, alkyl ether sulfates, and sarcosinates, and mixtures thereof, and (iii) water, the ratio of the surfactant to water-soluble polymer being no greater than 6 to 1.