Dental Composite with Aggregated Nanoparticles for Wear and Flexibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current dental composite materials face challenges in achieving a balance between high fracture resistance, low wear, and flexibility, while also being easy to apply and aesthetically acceptable, particularly for in-office or chair-side fabrication of dental restorations without the need for CAD/CAM technology.
Innovation Solution
A dental composition with a high filler load, comprising aggregated nano-sized particles and agglomerated nano-sized particles, combined with a specific resin matrix, which allows for a high filler content while maintaining good handling properties and balanced physical properties, enabling long-term use without the need for expensive CAD/CAM technology.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If high filler loading is used to achieve low wear and high strength, then abrasion resistance and fracture resistance are improved, but the material becomes brittle and loses flexibility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite filler system combining aggregated nanoparticles (0.5-5 μm agglomerates) and microparticles (5-50 μm), where each particle type contributes different properties. The aggregated nanoparticles provide strength and wear resistance, while the microparticles and their distribution prevent excessive brittleness, creating a synergistic composite structure that balances multiple mechanical properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates local quality variations through the specific distribution and size variation of filler particles. Different particle sizes (nanoscale aggregates and microscale particles) are distributed throughout the resin matrix, creating local regions with different mechanical properties that collectively provide both strength and flexibility at the macro level.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If high filler loading is used to achieve low wear, then abrasion resistance is improved, but the material becomes brittle
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a composite filler system where aggregated nanoparticles (0.5-5 μm) provide wear resistance through their high surface area and dense packing, while microparticles (5-50 μm) contribute to fracture resistance by providing a tougher matrix structure. This composite approach allows simultaneous optimization of wear and strength properties.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If lower filler content is used to improve elasticity and fracture resistance, then flexibility is improved, but abrasion resistance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the particle size parameters and filler loading concentration to optimize both wear and strength. By using a broad particle size distribution (0.5-50 μm) and specific filler loading (60-80 wt.%), the material achieves low wear through high filler content while maintaining fracture resistance through the specific aggregate structure and microparticle reinforcement.
4Object-generated harmful factors
If high filler loading is used to achieve low wear, then abrasion resistance is improved, but the material becomes difficult to handle and apply
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the filler into different particle size categories (aggregated nanoparticles of 0.5-5 μm and microparticles of 5-50 μm), which affects the rheological properties of the composite. This segmentation allows the material to maintain workability and handling properties despite high filler loading, as the size distribution influences viscosity and flow characteristics favorably.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a dental composition comprising - filler (F1) comprising aggregated nano-sized particles in an amount of from about 30 to about 70 wt.%, - filler (F2) comprising agglomerated nano-sized particles in an amount from about 1 to about 20 wt.%, - hardenable component (A1) being an urethane(meth)acrylate with a functionality of at least 2 and having a molecular weight from about 400 to about 3,000 g/mol, - hardenable component (A2) being a radically polymerizable (meth)acrylate with a functionality of at least 2 being different from component (A1), - redox curing initiator system, the dental composition not comprising non-agglomerated nano-sized filler in an amount above about 10 wt.%, wt.% with respect to the weight of the whole composition The dental composition is in particular useful as or for production of permanent crown and bridges, inlays, onlays and veneers.