Ceramic Fiber Nanocluster Dental Composite for Strength and Translucency

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing dental restorative materials face challenges in achieving a balance between mechanical properties, handling characteristics, and aesthetic qualities, particularly due to the use of fibers which result in stiff handling and refractive index mismatch leading to poor aesthetics and rapid gloss loss.

Innovation Solution

A composite material comprising ceramic fibers with a specific diameter range and nanoclusters is developed, which maintains good handling properties and provides enhanced mechanical strength, translucency, and aesthetic qualities by matching refractive indices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If conventional ceramics or metal alloys are used for dental restorations, then strength and wear resistance are achieved, but biocompatibility and aesthetic appearance deteriorate due to metallic visibility and tissue irritation

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovestrengthVSAvoidbiocompatibility

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs composite materials consisting of ceramic particles embedded in a glass matrix, creating a material that combines the strength of ceramics with the biocompatibility and aesthetic properties of glass. This composite structure allows the restoration to achieve both mechanical strength and tissue compatibility simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes parameter changes by controlling the particle size distribution, ceramic content percentage, and glass composition to optimize both strength and biocompatibility. By adjusting these parameters, the material achieves enhanced mechanical properties while maintaining excellent tissue compatibility and aesthetic appearance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Object-affected harmful factors

If conventional ceramics are used for dental restorations, then aesthetic appearance and biocompatibility are improved, but strength and fracture resistance deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovebiocompatibilityVSAvoidstrength

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The composite structure with ceramic particles dispersed in a glass matrix provides reinforcement while maintaining the aesthetic and biocompatible properties of ceramic. The glass matrix binds the ceramic particles together, creating a material that is both strong and aesthetically pleasing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by distributing ceramic particles non-uniformly within the glass matrix, with higher ceramic content in regions requiring greater strength and lower ceramic content in regions requiring enhanced aesthetics or biocompatibility. This localized variation optimizes both strength and biocompatibility across different areas of the restoration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Shape

If traditional layered composite techniques are used, then aesthetic appearance is achieved, but application time and procedural complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaesthetic appearanceVSAvoidapplication time

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple functions into a single material by incorporating ceramic particles, glass matrix, and aesthetic pigments into one composite formulation. This eliminates the need for separate layers of different materials, allowing the dentist to apply a single material that provides both structural integrity and aesthetic appearance, significantly reducing application time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The composite material serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural strength through ceramic particles, biocompatibility through the glass matrix, and aesthetic appearance through integrated pigments and translucency properties. This multi-functional material replaces what would traditionally require multiple separate materials and application steps.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3850022B1Composite materials including ceramic fibers and nanoclusters, dental products, kits, and methods of making and using same

Publication Date: 2026.05.13 SOLVENTUM INTELLECTUAL PROPERTIES CO

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Figure 2~3

AI summary

The present disclosure provides a composite material. The composite material includes 20 to 40 weight percent (wt.%) of a polymerizable component; 6 to 40 wt.% of ceramic fibers; and 30 to 70 wt.% of nanoclusters. Each of the ceramic fibers has a diameter and a length, the ceramic fibers having an arithmetic mean diameter of 0.3 micrometers to 5 micrometers, and the length of fifty percent of the ceramic fibers (based on a total number of the ceramic fibers) is at least 10 micrometers and the length of ninety percent of the ceramic fibers is no greater than 500 micrometers. The present disclosure also provides a method of making the composite material. The method includes obtaining components and admixing the components to form a composite material. Further, the present disclosure provides a method of using a composite material including placing a composite material near or on a tooth surface, changing the shape of the composite material near or on a tooth surface, and hardening the composite material. In addition, the present disclosure provides dental products and kits. Hardened composite materials can exhibit high strength.