Light-Diffusing Dental Curable Composition for Deep-Cavity Color Matching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dental composite resins face challenges in achieving favorable color compatibility with a wide range of natural tooth shades, particularly in deep Class II cavities about 4 mm deep, due to factors such as cavity structure and reduced light reflection, making it difficult to match shades effectively.
Innovation Solution
A dental curable composition comprising a polymerizable monomer, a polymerization initiator, and a filler, with specific refractive index and particle size distributions, that achieves a color difference ΔE* of 6.0 or less in both central and proximal portions of artificial molars, ensuring favorable color compatibility and light diffusivity for deep cavities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single-shade dental composite resin is used to match broad spectrum of natural tooth shades, then the number of stock items is reduced and cost is lowered, but the color compatibility in deep Class II cavities about 4 mm deep deteriorates due to smaller underlying tooth area and reduced light reflection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by incorporating light-diffusing particles with specific properties (particle size 0.1-10 μm, refractive index 1.3-1.6) that selectively scatter light in the restored area to enhance chromaticity. This local optical modification compensates for the reduced underlying tooth area in deep Class II cavities, allowing the single-shade composition to achieve satisfactory color compatibility (ΔE* ≤ 6.0) in both central and proximal portions without requiring multiple stock shades
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs parameter changes by adjusting the refractive index of the polymerizable monomer (1.35-1.70) and the particle size distribution of fillers to optimize light interaction. By controlling these parameters, the composition achieves enhanced light diffusion and chromaticity in deep cavities while maintaining a single shade formulation, thus resolving the contradiction between versatility and color matching accuracy
2Productivity
If the thickness of the filled layer is increased to about 4 mm for bulk-fill applications, then the treatment time is reduced, but the color compatibility in deep Class II cavities deteriorates due to decreased light reflection from the underlying surface
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces light-diffusing particles as an intermediary medium within the composite resin matrix. These particles (0.1-10 μm size, refractive index 1.3-1.6) act as mediators that scatter and redirect light within the 4 mm filled layer, compensating for the reduced light reflection from the underlying tooth surface. This enables bulk-fill applications to maintain color compatibility (ΔE* ≤ 6.0) in deep Class II cavities while achieving reduced treatment time through single-exposure curing
3Reliability
If multiple dental composite resins in different shades are kept in stock to match various tooth colors, then the color compatibility is improved, but the cost and complexity of inventory management increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves universality by formulating a single-shade dental composite resin that can universally match various natural tooth shades through enhanced light-diffusing properties. The composition uses polymerizable monomers with refractive indices of 1.35-1.70 and fillers with 1.30-2.00, creating a material that adapts optically to different underlying tooth colors. This universal formulation eliminates the need for multiple shade inventories while maintaining color matching accuracy (ΔE* ≤ 6.0) across different tooth types and cavity locations
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 composition provides excellent color compatibility with natural tooth shades using a single formulation, even in Class II cavities about 4 mm deep, enhancing aesthetic qualities and ease of handling with improved form retention and light diffusing properties.
Implementation Method 1
a filler (C), wherein the dental curable composition shows a color difference ΔE* of 6.0 or less... favorable color compatibility... improved light diffusing properties
Implementation Method 2
specific refractive index and particle size distributions... polymerizable monomer (A)... refractive index... filler (C)... refractive index
Implementation Method 3
Light-curing dental composite resins... polymerization initiator (B)... cured product of the dental curable composition
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a dental curable composition that demonstrates favorable color compatibility with a wide range of natural tooth shades using a single formulation, even for Class II cavities about 4 mm deep, including those in molars with proximal surfaces. The present invention relates to a dental curable composition comprising a polymerizable monomer (A), a polymerization initiator (B), and a filler (C), wherein the dental curable composition shows a color difference ΔE* of 6.0 or less as calculated by the formula [1] below in both a central portion and a proximal portion of artificial molars of A1 and A4 shades when filled in bulk and cured in Class II cavities of 4.0 mm depth formed in the artificial molars.ΔE*=((L1*-L0*)2+(a1*-a0*)2+(b1*-b0*)2)1/2[1](Description of the symbols in the formula is omitted.)