Dental 3D Printing Support with Thermo-Reversible Hydrogel
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dental 3D printing systems face challenges in achieving dimensional accuracy and ease of removability of dental restoration elements without damaging them, while maintaining the quality of the restoration and requiring no mixing of materials before use.
Innovation Solution
A dental system comprising a photocurable polymerizable monomer-based dental support element and restoration element with distinct photoinitiator compositions and a thermo reversible hydrogel composition for selective light curing and easy separation, allowing for one-part system usage without mixing and ensuring shelf-life and storage stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a support structure is printed from a different material than the actual printed part, then dimensional accuracy is ensured and removability is facilitated, but the complexity of the system increases due to material differentiation and removal processes
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the dental system into two distinct materials: a support material and a restoration material. Each material is formulated with specific properties - the support material contains a support agent that allows it to be removed easily, while the restoration material contains restorative agents. This segmentation enables the support structure to be differentiated from the restoration, facilitating easy removal while maintaining dimensional accuracy during printing.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a support agent as an intermediary substance within the support material formulation. This support agent acts as a mediator that enables the support material to be easily removed from the restoration material after printing. The support agent facilitates the separation process without compromising the dimensional accuracy achieved during the printing process.
2Manufacturing precision
If support material is used to ensure dimensional accuracy, then manufacturing precision is improved, but the time required for removal and processing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the physical and chemical parameters of the support material by incorporating a support agent that modifies its properties. This support agent alters the material's characteristics to enable rapid removal within 5 minutes while maintaining the dimensional accuracy provided by the support structure during printing. The parameter change in material formulation directly addresses the time requirement contradiction.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple materials are used for support and restoration elements, then functional requirements are met, but the complexity of material handling and mixing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the material system into two distinct formulations - support material containing support agents and restoration material containing restorative agents. This segmentation allows each material to be optimized for its specific function while simplifying handling, as each material can be prepared and applied separately without requiring complex mixing procedures. The segmented approach meets functional requirements while reducing material handling complexity.
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 system enables easy and non-damaging removal of dental restoration elements within 5 minutes, maintains quality, and provides improved tear strength and shelf-life, with no mixing required, ensuring dimensional accuracy and stability.
Implementation Method 1
the at least one dental support element comprises at least one dental support material comprising a photocurable polymerizable monomer having at least one (meth)acrylate group and wherein the at least one dental restoration element comprises at least one dental restoration material comprising a photocurable polymerizable monomer having at least one (meth)acrylate group
Implementation Method 2
selective light curing by using LED with distinct and narrow emission spectra
Data Source
AI summary
The invention discloses a dental system comprising at least one dental support element and at least one dental restoration element, wherein the at least one dental support element comprises at least one dental support material comprising a photocurable polymerizable monomer having at least one (meth)acrylate group and wherein the at least one dental restoration element comprises at least one dental restoration material comprising a photocurable polymerizable monomer having at least one (meth)acrylate group. The dental support material may comprise a thermo reversible hydrogel composition comprising at least one first and at least one second polysaccharide being different to each other. The invention also discloses a 3-dimensional printing process for the manufacturing the dental system.