Dental Coating Composition Plaque Resistance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Dental appliances and natural teeth face challenges with bacterial plaque, tartar, physical stress, and discoloration, and existing antimicrobial coatings often require high concentrations of antimicrobial constituents that compromise esthetics and mechanical properties.

Innovation Solution

A coating composition comprising a trifunctional or higher multifunctional (meth)acrylate monomer, amorphous nanosilica as an inorganic filler, and a free-radical photoinitiator, applied without adhesion promoters, which reduces plaque adhesion by over 50% and enhances surface hardness and color resistance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If high concentration of antimicrobial constituents is used for coating dental appliance, then antimicrobial effect is improved, but esthetics and mechanical properties deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveantimicrobial effectVSAvoidmechanical properties
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the coating by using multifunctional (meth)acrylate monomers with specific molecular structures and ratios. The coating comprises 60-90 wt% multifunctional (meth)acrylate monomer, 5-30 wt% inorganic filler, and 5-30 wt% organic solvent, creating a parameter optimization that achieves antimicrobial effect without compromising mechanical properties through careful control of monomer functionality and molecular weight

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite coating material combining organic (meth)acrylate monomers with inorganic fillers. This composite structure provides both the desired antimicrobial properties and enhanced mechanical strength, while the inorganic filler content (5-30 wt%) contributes to hardness and wear resistance without requiring high concentrations of antimicrobial agents

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If high concentration of antimicrobial constituents is used for coating dental appliance, then antimicrobial effect is improved, but esthetics deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveantimicrobial effectVSAvoidesthetics
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the coating composition parameters to achieve transparency and esthetic appearance. The specific ratio of multifunctional (meth)acrylate monomer (60-90 wt%) combined with appropriate organic solvent (5-30 wt%) creates a coating that is optically clear and colorless, matching the esthetic requirements while providing antimicrobial protection through the inherent properties of the cured polymer network

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Device complexity

If coating composition is applied without adhesion promoter, then device complexity is reduced, but adhesion strength deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoating composition complexityVSAvoidadhesion strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The coating composition is designed to be self-adhering through the inherent properties of the multifunctional (meth)acrylate monomer. The monomer's functional groups form strong chemical bonds with both the dental appliance surface and the coating matrix itself, eliminating the need for separate adhesion promoters. The coating applies directly and cures to form a strongly adhered layer through this self-service mechanism

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the chemical parameters of the (meth)acrylate monomer to enhance adhesion. The multifunctional nature (3-10 functional groups per monomer) and specific molecular structure enable direct bonding to the substrate without additional adhesion agents, reducing complexity while maintaining or improving adhesion strength through optimized monomer selection

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Productivity

If thin coating layer is applied, then productivity is improved, but protective function deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoating application efficiencyVSAvoidprotective function
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the coating thickness parameter to achieve the desired balance. The coating layer thickness is controlled at 1-100 micrometers through careful control of application parameters and formulation viscosity. The high concentration of multifunctional monomer (60-90 wt%) ensures that even at this thin thickness, the cured coating provides sufficient protective function through its dense crosslinked network structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 coating significantly reduces plaque adhesion, maintains mechanical properties, and provides excellent hardness and color stability, with a cured layer thickness of 1 to 100 micrometers and a water contact angle of 75 to 90 degrees, while being optically clear and colorless.

Implementation Method 1

The coating composition includes at least one free-radical photoinitiator; and an organic solvent

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhotopolymerisation: Photopolymerisation

Data Source

PatentUS20230363982A1Dental coating composition
Publication Date: 2023.11.16 MITSUI CHEMICALS INC

AI summary

Dental coating compositions that have one or more of excellent properties including plaque resistance, microbial plaque resistance, strong adhesion, excellent hardness, high wear resistance, and high color resistance are provided. Dental appliance or natural tooth covered by the dental coating compositions, and production methods of the dental coating compositions are also provided. The coating compositions include one or more of a trifunctional or higher multifunctional (meth)acrylate monomer, an inorganic filler, a photoinitiator, and an organic solvent. The coating compositions are substantially free from antibacterial chemical additives.