Curable Composition for Dental Restorations Using Spherical Particle Light Interference
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current dental filling restorative materials face challenges in achieving precise color tone matching with natural teeth without using dyes or pigments, requiring multiple curable compositions for different shades and depths, which can lead to decoloration and discoloration over time.
Innovation Solution
A curable composition incorporating spherical inorganic particles with a specific particle diameter range and refractive index ratio, allowing for controlled light interference to achieve color tone adaptability similar to natural teeth, eliminating the need for multiple compositions and preventing decoloration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple curable compositions with different color tones are prepared to match various tooth shades, then color tone adaptability is improved, but device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate due to the need to select and laminate multiple materials
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the physical parameters of the filler particles (particle size distribution, sphericality) to control light interference and color tone. By adjusting these parameters, a single curable composition can achieve multiple color tones without requiring multiple different compositions, thus reducing complexity while maintaining adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the mechanical mixing of multiple curable compositions with a single composition containing specifically designed filler particles. The color tone variation is achieved through optical interference of light by spherical particles rather than through mechanical combination of multiple materials, simplifying the system.
2Adaptability or versatility
If pigments and dyes are used to adjust color tone, then color tone adaptability is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to decoloration and discoloration over time
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates pigments and dyes from the curable composition. Instead of using coloring agents that can degrade, the color tone is achieved through the inherent optical properties of spherical filler particles, specifically through light interference, which provides permanent color stability without the risk of decoloration.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces chemical coloring agents (pigments and dyes) with a physical optical mechanism (light interference by spherical particles). This substitution eliminates the chemical degradation pathways that lead to discoloration while maintaining the ability to produce various color tones.
3Manufacturing precision
If curable pastes are laminated to reproduce subtle color tone gradation in deep cavities, then manufacturing precision is improved, but productivity deteriorates due to multiple lamination steps
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the functions of multiple curable pastes with different color tones into a single composition. The spherical filler particles with specific size distribution enable this single paste to produce multiple color tones through light interference, eliminating the need for separate pastes and lamination steps while maintaining color precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The single curable composition is designed to be universal, capable of reproducing various color tone gradations depending on the cavity depth and tooth structure. The spherical particles provide multi-functional color control without requiring multiple specialized materials, thus improving productivity while maintaining 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 composition provides excellent color tone adaptability to natural teeth, maintaining a natural appearance without lamination, and prevents decoloration, ensuring a durable and aesthetically pleasing restoration.
Implementation Method 1
A curable composition incorporating spherical inorganic particles with a specific particle diameter range and refractive index ratio, allowing for controlled light interference to achieve color tone adaptability similar to natural teeth
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a curable composition which comprises a polymerizable monomer (A), spherical particles (B) having an average primary-particle diameter in the range of 230-1,000 nm, and a polymerization initiator (C), wherein at least 90% of the individual particles constituting the spherical particles (B) lie in the range of ±5% based on the average primary-particle diameter and the polymerizable monomer (A) and the spherical particles (B) satisfy requirement (X1) shown by the relationship nP<nF (1) (nP indicates the 25°C refractive index of a polymer obtained by polymerizing the polymerizable monomer (A), and nF indicates the 25°C refractive index of the spherical particles (B).). When a 1 mm-thick cured object is formed from the curable composition and examined with a color-difference meter using colored light, then the color of the cured object measured on a black background has a Y value (Yb) according to the Munsell color system and the color of the cured object measured on a white background has a Y value (Yw) according to the Munsell color system, the ratio therebetween, Yb/Yw, being within the range of 0.2-0.5.