Lithium Silicate Deep Quartz Glass Ceramic for Machinable Dental Restorations
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lithium silicate glass ceramics used in dental restorations are difficult to machine and require further heat treatment to achieve desired mechanical properties, complicating the production process and tool wear.
Innovation Solution
A lithium silicate deep quartz glass ceramic with lithium silicate as the main crystal phase and deep quartz as an additional phase, which can be easily machined and does not require subsequent heat treatment for strength, combining high mechanical and optical properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If conventional lithium disilicate glass ceramic is used, then high mechanical strength is achieved, but machining difficulty increases and tool wear increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the glass ceramic by incorporating specific amounts of Al2O3 (1-6 wt%), TiO2 (0.5-3 wt%), and other oxides in controlled ratios, which modifies the material properties to achieve both high strength and improved machinability
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a composite glass ceramic system combining lithium disilicate base glass with multiple crystalline phases (anorthite, gehlenite, perovskite) formed through controlled heat treatment, achieving synergistic effects that simultaneously provide strength and processability
2Ease of manufacture
If lithium metasilicate glass ceramic is used as precursor, then machining ease improves, but additional heat treatment is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary crystallization during the initial heat treatment stage, forming the desired anorthite-gehlenite-perovskite phase assemblage before machining, so that the final product achieves both ease of machining and high mechanical strength without requiring subsequent heat treatment
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the crystallization process and strength development into a single heat treatment step performed before machining, combining multiple functions (crystallization, phase formation, strength acquisition) into one operation to eliminate the need for additional heat treatment after machining
3Strength
If secondary crystal phases are added to lithium silicate glass ceramic, then mechanical properties improve, but optical properties deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates local quality differentiation by forming specific crystalline phases (anorthite, gehlenite, perovskite) with controlled size distributions and spatial arrangements within the glass matrix, where the crystal size is optimized to be small enough to maintain translucency but sufficient to provide mechanical reinforcement
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical parameters of the crystal phases, particularly controlling crystal size, shape, and distribution through precise heat treatment parameters (temperature, time, cooling rate), achieving optimal balance between strength enhancement and optical transparency
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 glass ceramic achieves high strength and ease of machining, allowing for efficient production of dental restorations with excellent mechanical and optical properties, mimicking natural tooth color without additional heat treatment.
Implementation Method 1
The lithium silicate deep quartz glass ceramic according to the invention contains lithium silicate as the main crystal phase and deep quartz as the further crystal phase
Data Source
AI summary
Lithium silicate deep quartz glass ceramics are described, which are characterized by a combination of very good mechanical and optical properties and can therefore be used particularly as restorative material in dentistry.