Dental Composition UV Absorber Fluorescence Paradox

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

The existing dental composite resins fail to achieve fluorescence and photostability equivalent to natural teeth when exposed to ultraviolet or near-ultraviolet light due to the benzotriazole compound inhibiting the absorption of ultraviolet light by the phthalate ester-based fluorescent agent.

Innovation Solution

A dental composition comprising a (meth)acrylate, an ultraviolet absorber with a maximum absorption wavelength between 320 nm and 500 nm, and a fluorescent agent, which allows for equivalent fluorescence to natural teeth when exposed to either ultraviolet or near-ultraviolet light, while maintaining photostability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a benzotriazole compound is used as an ultraviolet absorber in the composite resin, then the photostability of the cured resin tooth is improved, but the fluorescence of the cured resin tooth under ultraviolet or near-ultraviolet light cannot be equivalent to natural teeth

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovephotostabilityVSAvoidfluorescence equivalence

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the benzotriazole compound from the composite resin formulation. This extraction eliminates the harmful interaction between the ultraviolet absorber and fluorescent agent, allowing the fluorescent agent to function properly under both ultraviolet and near-ultraviolet light while maintaining photostability through alternative ultraviolet absorbers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the formulation parameters by eliminating the benzotriazole compound and adjusting the composition of ultraviolet absorbers and fluorescent agents. This parameter change resolves the spectral overlap issue that was preventing fluorescence equivalence while maintaining photostability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of manufacture

If a phthalate ester-based fluorescent agent is included in the composite resin, then the fluorescence of the cured resin tooth can match natural teeth, but the benzotriazole compound inhibits its absorption of ultraviolet light

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluorescence equivalenceVSAvoidultraviolet light absorption

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the benzotriazole compound from the formulation, removing the source of inhibition against the phthalate ester-based fluorescent agent. This allows the fluorescent agent to absorb ultraviolet light effectively and emit fluorescence equivalent to natural teeth.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces alternative ultraviolet absorbers that do not interfere with the fluorescent agent's absorption characteristics. These intermediary substances serve as new ultraviolet absorbers that are compatible with the phthalate ester-based fluorescent agent, allowing both functions to coexist without interference.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If near-ultraviolet LED light is used for irradiation, then less harm to the human body is achieved, but the existing composite resin cannot produce equivalent fluorescence to natural teeth

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveharm to human bodyVSAvoidfluorescence equivalence

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the optical parameters of the composite resin by formulating it without benzotriazole and with specific fluorescent agents that respond to near-ultraviolet light. This enables the material to emit fluorescence equivalent to natural teeth when irradiated with near-ultraviolet LED light, which is safer for human tissue.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent adopts near-ultraviolet LED light sources, which have shorter wavelengths and lower energy levels compared to traditional ultraviolet sources. These LED sources provide sufficient stimulation for fluorescence while causing less damage to human tissue, representing a safer, more modern light source.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

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 dental composition achieves excellent photostability and fluorescence equivalent to natural teeth when irradiated with ultraviolet or near-ultraviolet light, improving the aesthetic appearance and durability of the cured resin tooth.

Implementation Method 1

an ultraviolet absorber having free of a maximum absorption wavelength in the range of greater than 320 nm and less than or equal to 500 nm

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectUltraviolet absorption: Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 2

a phthalate ester-based fluorescent agent absorbs ultraviolet light and near-ultraviolet light and emits fluorescent light

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluorescence: Fluorescence

Data Source

PatentUS12133902B2Dental composition

Publication Date: 2024.11.05 GC CORP

AI summary

One embodiment of the present invention relates to a dental composition including a (meth)acrylate, an ultraviolet absorber, and a fluorescent agent, wherein the ultraviolet absorber has free of a maximum absorption wavelength in a range of greater than 320 nm and less than or equal to 500 nm.