Fluorescent Dental Composite for Natural Shade Without Yellowing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current dental curable compositions fail to achieve sufficient fluorescence, aesthetics, durability, mechanical strength, and radiopacity while maintaining ease of polishing, especially under varying environmental conditions.
Innovation Solution
A dental curable composition comprising a polymerizable monomer, an inorganic filler, and a fluorescent agent, where the fluorescent agent is a 9- to 11-membered benzo-fused heterocyclic compound with two or more heteroatoms, such as benzodiazinone or benzoxazinone skeletons, providing adequate fluorescence and mechanical strength.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If an organic fluorescent dye (phthalic acid ester) is added to a dental curable composition containing zirconia or alumina filler, then fluorescence is improved, but the cured product produces a thick yellow shade that cannot reproduce natural tooth color
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical structure parameter of the fluorescent agent from conventional phthalic acid esters to specific compounds with formulas (1) and (2), featuring different molecular structures that do not produce yellow discoloration when combined with zirconia or alumina fillers, thereby maintaining natural tooth shade reproduction
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces conventional fluorescent agents that cause discoloration with new fluorescent compound structures that provide sustained fluorescence without yellowing over time, even under accelerated heating conditions and xenon light exposure
2Illumination intensity
If an inorganic fluorescent agent is used to ensure sufficient fluorescence, then fluorescence intensity is improved, but coarse particles of several micrometers must be used which decrease polishability and mechanical strength
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes from inorganic fluorescent agents requiring coarse particle sizes to organic fluorescent compounds that can be incorporated at molecular level, eliminating the particle size constraint and preserving mechanical strength and polishability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite system combining the polymerizable monomer, inorganic filler, polymerization initiator, and specifically designed fluorescent compounds, where the fluorescent agents are integrated at molecular level rather than as discrete particles, maintaining both fluorescence and mechanical properties
3Illumination intensity
If an inorganic fluorescent agent is used to ensure sufficient fluorescence, then fluorescence intensity is improved, but coarse particles cause inconsistent fluorescence distribution
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes from particle-based inorganic fluorescent agents to molecular-level organic fluorescent compounds, enabling uniform distribution throughout the dental curable composition and consistent fluorescence under various environmental conditions
4Illumination intensity
If conventional fluorescent agents are used, then fluorescence is provided, but the composition cannot provide satisfactory fluorescence under simulated clinical conditions and requires further improvements for durability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the chemical structure parameters of the fluorescent compounds with specific formulas (1) and (2), enhancing their stability and fluorescence performance under simulated clinical conditions including accelerated heating and xenon light exposure
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces conventional fluorescent agents with improved compound structures that maintain fluorescence intensity and prevent discoloration over time, ensuring long-term durability in the intraoral environment
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 achieves highly aesthetic harmonious restoration with indistinguishable shades from natural teeth, maintaining fluorescence under various conditions, and exhibits sufficient mechanical strength and radiopacity with ease of polishing.
Implementation Method 1
Natural teeth show fluorescence. The fluorescence of natural teeth makes the teeth luminous under natural light... attempts have been made to provide a dental material with fluorescence, comparable to that of natural teeth
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a dental curable composition that shows fluorescence sufficient to enable highly aesthetic harmonious restoration almost indistinguishable from surrounding natural teeth, and that, while having sufficient mechanical strength and radiopacity and good ease of polishing as a restorative material, desirably resists discoloration not only in the intraoral environment but under accelerated heating conditions and under xenon light, without losing fluorescence even under these conditions. The present invention also provides a cured product of such a dental curable composition. The present invention relates to a dental curable composition comprising a polymerizable monomer (A), an inorganic filler (B), a polymerization initiator (C), and a fluorescent agent (D), wherein the fluorescent agent (D) comprises a 9- to 11-membered benzo-fused heterocyclic compound containing two or more heteroatoms (excluding benzoimidazole compounds).