Selective Dental Ceramic Coloring via Non-Water Solvent
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current water-based coloring solutions for dental ceramics cannot achieve selective, defined coloration of specific parts of pre-sintered dental ceramics without diffusing into unintended areas, leading to homogenous coloration of the entire ceramic.
Innovation Solution
A non-water based solution comprising a solvent miscible with water but not water, an effect agent with metal ions for coloring or fluorescence, and a complexing agent that forms soluble complexes with the metal ions, allowing precise application and retention on specific surface areas of dental ceramics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If water-based coloring solutions are applied to pre-sintered dental ceramic, then the ceramic can be coloured, but the color diffuses into unintended areas resulting in homogenous coloration instead of selective coloration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of the solvent from water to a non-water based solvent (such as alcohol, glycol, or glycol ether). This parameter change fundamentally alters the interaction with the ceramic pores, enabling selective coloration while preventing the diffusion that occurs with water-based solutions. The non-water solvent provides appropriate viscosity and wettability characteristics that allow controlled application to specific areas without spreading into unintended regions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a complexing agent as an intermediary substance that forms soluble complexes with metal ions in the non-water solvent. This intermediary mechanism allows the coloring agents to be transported and applied selectively to the ceramic surface without diffusing into the porous structure, as the complexed metal ions remain stable in the non-water solvent system rather than spreading through the ceramic matrix.
2Manufacturing precision
If a non-water based solution is used for selective coloration, then diffusion is prevented and sharp boundaries are maintained, but the solution must remain stable over time
Solution Approach 1:
The complexing agent acts as a stabilizing intermediary that forms soluble complexes with metal ions in the non-water solvent. This intermediary complex prevents precipitation and maintains solution stability over time, while simultaneously enabling the solution to provide sharp boundaries during application by preventing diffusion into the ceramic pores.
Solution Approach 2:
By changing from water-based to non-water based solvent system, the patent fundamentally alters the stability parameters of the coloring solution. The non-water solvent provides appropriate viscosity, evaporation rate, and chemical stability characteristics that maintain solution integrity over time while enabling precise application with sharp boundaries.
3Adaptability or versatility
If complete diffusion of the coloring solution into pores is achieved, then uniform coloration is obtained, but selective treatment of specific parts cannot be accomplished
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the solvent parameter from water to non-water based solvent, which fundamentally alters the diffusion characteristics. This parameter change reduces the solvent's ability to penetrate and diffuse through the porous ceramic structure, thereby enabling selective treatment of specific parts while maintaining defined application boundaries.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables local quality by allowing the coloring solution to be applied to specific areas of the ceramic surface without spreading to unintended regions. The non-water solvent system provides appropriate viscosity and wettability characteristics that confine the solution to the applied area, creating localized coloration with sharp boundaries rather than uniform diffusion throughout the entire surface.
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
Enables precise, selective coloration or effect application on specific parts of dental ceramics without diffusion, maintaining sharp boundaries and compatibility with water-based backgrounds, with the solution remaining stable over time.
Implementation Method 1
a complexing agent being able to form a complex with the metal ions of the effect agent, wherein the complex is soluble in the solvent
Implementation Method 2
applying the solution described in the present text to only a part of the outer surface of the dental ceramic
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a solution to be selectively applied to individual parts of the surface of dental ceramic(s) and a process for using the solution in the dental field. More specifically the invention relates to a solution comprising a) a solvent, b) an effect agent, and c) a complexing agent. The invention also relates to a kit comprising the solution and to a method of using the solution for selectively treating of parts of the surface dental ceramic(s). The invention also relates to a application instrument suitable for applying the solution.