Dental Crown with Segmented Caries-Inhibiting Material

Solution Overview

Problem

Current fluoride-releasing restorative materials (FRRMs) and caries inhibition materials (CIMs) have limitations in strength and compatibility with high-temperature heat treatment, making them unsuitable for fabricating dental crowns, and they are primarily used as direct treatment methods or seating adhesives, lacking caries-inhibiting capabilities in indirect crown applications.

Innovation Solution

A method for making dental crowns with a precursor restoration formed from a first material, featuring open spaces filled with a second caries-inhibiting material, which provides sustained release of bioactive ions and high flexural strength, compatible with high-temperature processing, to inhibit caries and withstand occlusal forces.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If fluoride-releasing restorative materials (FRRMs) and caries inhibition materials (CIMs) are used to fabricate dental crowns, then caries-inhibiting capabilities are improved, but strength and compatibility with high-temperature heat treatment deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecaries-inhibiting capabilityVSAvoidflexural strength

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The dental crown is divided into two distinct materials: a first material forming the main crown structure providing strength and heat tolerance, and a second material filling pockets to provide caries-inhibiting capabilities. This segmentation allows each material to optimize its specific function without compromising the other.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The second caries-inhibiting material is placed locally in pockets formed in the first material, specifically at the mesial and distal surfaces where caries risk is highest. This localized application provides caries protection exactly where needed while maintaining the overall structural integrity of the crown.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If fluoride-releasing restorative materials (FRRMs) and caries inhibition materials (CIMs) are used to fabricate dental crowns, then caries-inhibiting capabilities are improved, but compatibility with high-temperature heat treatment deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecaries-inhibiting capabilityVSAvoidheat treatment compatibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The dental crown is divided into two distinct materials: a first material forming the main crown structure providing strength and heat tolerance, and a second material filling pockets to provide caries-inhibiting capabilities. This segmentation allows each material to optimize its specific function without compromising the other.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The pockets containing the second caries-inhibiting material are formed in advance during crown fabrication, before final heat treatment. This preliminary action allows the first material to undergo high-temperature processing while the second material is already positioned to provide ongoing caries protection after the crown is completed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of manufacture

If a single material is used for the entire crown structure, then manufacturing simplicity is improved, but functional versatility deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidfunctional versatility

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The dental crown is divided into two distinct materials: a first material forming the main crown structure providing strength and heat tolerance, and a second material filling pockets to provide caries-inhibiting capabilities. This segmentation allows each material to optimize its specific function without compromising the other.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The crown combines two different materials with complementary properties: the first material provides mechanical strength and heat resistance, while the second material provides caries-inhibiting functionality. This composite approach creates a crown with superior overall performance compared to either material alone.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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 method enables dental crowns to effectively inhibit caries by sustained release of bioactive ions and maintain high strength and aesthetics, addressing the limitations of existing FRRMs and CIMs by integrating caries-inhibiting capabilities into the crown structure.

Implementation Method 1

The second material can comprise calcium ions, phosphate ions, fluoride ions, silver ions, zinc ions, or combinations thereof

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectIon release: Ion Exchange

Data Source

PatentUS9168114B2Method of making a dental prosthesis

Publication Date: 2015.10.27 B&D DENTAL CORP

AI summary

A method of making a dental crown or bridge restoration includes forming a precursor crown outside of a patient's mouth with a first restorative material, with a buccal contour on the buccal wall substantially the same as a buccal contour on a final crown restoration, and an open space on or around at least one of the mesial side wall or the distal side wall; and filling and securing a second material, different from the first restorative material, inside the open space or pocket of the precursor crown while outside the patient's mouth, and with the precursor crown having a strength substantially equivalent to the final crown restoration, and with the buccal contour being substantially the same as the buccal contour on the final crown, prior to filling and securing the second material.