One-Component Dentinal Tubule Sealant with Segmented Fillers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current dentinal tubule sealants face challenges in achieving reliable and durable sealing, especially in subgingival areas and interdental gaps, due to issues with pH sensitivity and toxicity, and they often fail to maintain sealing over time in oral environments.
Innovation Solution
A dentinal tubule sealant comprising apatite particles with an average diameter of 500 nm or less, a filler with an average diameter of 1 to 10 µm, and a dispersant, where the weight ratio of apatite particles to the filler is between 0.05 to 15, and the dispersant constitutes 15 to 95 parts by weight, providing a one-component type sealant with improved storage stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If calcium phosphate particles with diameter of 1.0 μm to 5.0 μm are used to seal dentinal tubules, then the particles can physically enter the tubules, but gaps form between particles and durable sealing cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The filler particles are segmented into two distinct size ranges: fine particles (0.1-1.0 μm) to fill gaps and penetrate deep into tubules, and coarse particles (1-5 μm) to provide structural framework. This segmentation allows each particle size to perform its specific function optimally, achieving both dense initial sealing and durable long-term sealing.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses a composite filler system combining calcium phosphate particles with silicate glass particles. The calcium phosphate provides bioactivity and gap-filling capability, while the silicate glass enhances mechanical strength and durability. This composite approach resolves the contradiction by combining materials with complementary properties to achieve both dense sealing and long-term reliability.
2Ease of operation
If calcium phosphate particles as small as 900 nm or less are used to fill dentinal tubules, then the particles can be surely filled into the tubules, but the particles dissolve rather than calcify in oral environments and initial physical sealing is not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The filler is segmented into fine particles (0.1-1.0 μm) for deep penetration and gap filling, and coarse particles (1-5 μm) for structural support. This segmentation ensures that sufficiently small particles reach deep tubule regions while larger particles provide immediate structural framework for sealing.
Solution Approach 2:
The composite of calcium phosphate and silicate glass particles creates a synergistic system where the silicate glass particles provide immediate structural integrity and resistance to dissolution, while calcium phosphate particles fill gaps and undergo controlled calcification. This combination achieves both easy filling and reliable initial sealing.
3Manufacturing precision
If a two-component type sealant is used to convert materials into hydroxyapatite, then hydroxyapatite can deposit in deep parts of dentinal tubules, but the labor in extemporaneous preparation increases and storage stability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the benefits of two-component systems (controlled hydroxyapatite formation) into a one-component system by pre-forming a composite of calcium phosphate and silicate glass particles. This eliminates the need for extemporaneous mixing and preparation, reducing operator labor while maintaining the ability to deposit hydroxyapatite in deep tubules through controlled calcification in the oral environment.
Solution Approach 2:
The calcium phosphate and silicate glass particles are pre-combined into a stable composite filler before clinical use. This preliminary preparation allows the material to be stored ready-to-use without requiring extemporaneous mixing, while still enabling controlled hydroxyapatite deposition when applied to dentin surfaces.
4Adaptability or versatility
If conventional sealant materials are used for subgingival parts or interdental gaps, then the materials can be applied, but low pH or high toxicity prevents reliable treatment
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the chemical composition parameters of the filler material by using biocompatible calcium phosphate and silicate glass particles instead of conventional low pH materials. This parameter change eliminates toxicity and pH-related harm while maintaining the ability to seal dentinal tubules in challenging locations like subgingival areas and interdental gaps.
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 proposed solution offers excellent dentinal tubule sealability immediately after treatment, durability, and ease of operation, with enhanced storage stability, allowing for effective sealing that withstands oral environmental conditions and reduces the need for on-site preparation.
Implementation Method 1
apatite particles (A) having an average particle diameter of 500 nm or less... function as a nucleus after being surely filled into the dentinal tubules
Implementation Method 2
a dispersant (C)... the dentinal tubule sealant contains 15 to 95 parts by weight of the dispersant (C) relative to 100 parts by weight in total of the apatite particles (A) and the filler (B)
Implementation Method 3
calcium phosphate particles as small as 900 nm or less allows dissolution of the particles having a large specific surface area rather than calcification in oral environments
Data Source
AI summary
A dentinal tubule sealant including apatite particles (A) having an average particle diameter of 500 nm or less, a filler (B) having an average particle diameter of 1 to 10 µm, and a dispersant (C), wherein the weight ratio (A/B) of the apatite particles (A) to the filler (B) is 0.05 to 15, the dentinal tubule sealant contains 15 to 95 parts by weight of the dispersant (C) relative to 100 parts by weight in total of the apatite particles (A) and the filler (B), and the total amount of the apatite particles (A), the filler (B), and the dispersant (C) is 85 parts by weight or more relative to 100 parts by weight of the dentinal tubule sealant. There is thereby provided a dentinal tubule sealant excelling in dentinal tubule sealability immediately after treatment, durability of dentinal tubule sealing, ease of operation, and storage stability.