Nanoparticle Dental Polishing Paste for Ceramic Surface Finish
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional dental polishing compositions compromise between cleaning efficiency, abrasiveness, and tooth sensitivity, posing a risk of ceramic fracture and inadequate esthetic appearance due to extrinsic stains and plaque accumulation.
Innovation Solution
A dental polishing paste comprising 60-90% glycerin, 7.5-17.5% inorganic nanoparticles (diamond or zirconia, 5-25 nm), and 2.5-32.5% additives, used at 10,000-25,000 rpm for 60-180 seconds with a felt cone, effectively polishing dental ceramics like lithium disilicate and monolithic zirconia to achieve a smooth, lustrous surface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional polishing compositions are used, then cleaning efficiency is improved, but tooth sensitivity increases and ceramic fracture risk occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the particle size parameter of the polishing abrasive from conventional larger particles to nanoparticles (5-25 nm). This parameter change enables effective polishing and cleaning while reducing the risk of ceramic fracture and tooth sensitivity, as the nanoscale particles can remove stains and plaque without excessive abrasiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a composite polishing composition containing inorganic nanoparticles (diamond or zirconia) combined with organic components (glycerin, additives). This composite formulation achieves effective cleaning of extrinsic stains and plaque while the nanoparticle composition provides controlled abrasiveness that prevents ceramic fracture and tooth damage
2Manufacturing precision
If glazing is used to achieve smooth surface, then surface quality is improved, but intraoral application is not possible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the thermal glazing process (which requires furnace firing) with a mechanical polishing process using nanoparticle-containing paste. This substitution allows the surface finishing to be performed intraorally at room temperature while achieving comparable smoothness and gloss to glazing
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a nanoparticle polishing paste as an intermediary material that transfers the polishing action from a mechanical tool to the ceramic surface. The paste contains suspended nanoparticles that act as mild abrasives, enabling effective polishing without the need for high-temperature glazing equipment
3Reliability
If larger particle size polishing materials are used, then cleaning efficiency is improved, but surface roughness increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the particle size parameter to the nanoscale range (5-25 nm), which is sufficiently small to produce smooth surfaces but large enough to provide effective cleaning action. This optimal particle size parameter enables both high cleaning efficiency for extrinsic stains and plaque while maintaining surface smoothness comparable to glazing
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 achieves a mean surface roughness of 0.250-0.500 μm, comparable to glazing, without causing ceramic fracture, maintaining esthetic appearance and biological properties.
Implementation Method 1
polishing a surface of the dental ceramic present in the oral cavity of a subject with the dental polishing paste including 60 to 90 weight percentage (wt. %) glycerin, 7.5 to 17.5 wt. % inorganic nanoparticles, that are at least one selected from the group consisting of diamond and zirconia
Data Source
AI summary
A dental polishing paste and a method of surface finishing a dental ceramic with the dental polishing paste is described. The dental polishing paste includes 60 to 90 weight percentage (wt. %) glycerin; 7.5 to 17.5 wt. % inorganic nanoparticles such as, diamond or zirconia, having a mean particle size of 5 to 25 nanometer (nm); and 2.5 to 32.5 wt. % additive, each based on a total weight of dental polishing paste.