Pre-reacted MTA Hydrogel for Endodontic Handling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing endodontic reactive mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) compositions require a time-consuming mixing step, which can lead to handling errors and suboptimal mixing conditions, affecting the quality of obturation, despite their ability to stimulate dental tissue regeneration.

Innovation Solution

A dental composition comprising pre-reacted particulate mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) dispersed in a hydrogel matrix, with a polymeric network and organic matrix, such as sodium alginate, pectin, and chitosan, to improve handling properties while maintaining tissue regeneration capabilities.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If reactive MTA composition is used to stimulate dental tissue regeneration, then bioactivity is improved, but handling properties deteriorate due to time-consuming mixing requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovebioactivityVSAvoidhandling properties
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The MTA particles are pre-reacted and cured before being incorporated into the hydrogel matrix. This preliminary reaction step allows the material to be prepared in advance with optimal bioactivity, while the final application requires only simple insertion of the pre-formed composite without time-consuming mixing during the procedure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The invention creates a composite material combining pre-reacted MTA particles with a hydrogel matrix. This composite approach maintains the bioactive properties of MTA while the hydrogel provides improved handling characteristics, allowing the material to be inserted as a cohesive unit rather than requiring mixing of separate components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If reactive MTA composition is used for tissue regeneration, then bioactivity is improved, but treatment time increases due to mixing requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovebioactivityVSAvoidmixing time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The MTA is pre-reacted and incorporated into the hydrogel matrix during manufacturing, completing the chemical reaction before clinical use. This eliminates the need for time-consuming mixing steps during the endodontic procedure, reducing treatment time while preserving the bioactive benefits of MTA.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces the mechanical mixing process with a pre-formed composite material that requires only insertion. The hydrogel matrix encapsulates the pre-reacted MTA particles, allowing delivery without mechanical mixing operations during the procedure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If reactive MTA composition is used to stimulate tissue regeneration, then bioactivity is improved, but handling precision deteriorates due to mixing variations

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovebioactivityVSAvoidmixing precision
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The MTA particles are pre-reacted under controlled manufacturing conditions with precise stoichiometric ratios, ensuring consistent bioactivity. This preliminary preparation eliminates variability in mixing ratios that could occur during clinical application, as the optimal composition is established during fabrication of the composite material.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The hydrogel matrix encapsulates pre-reacted MTA particles in a predetermined ratio, creating a homogeneous composite with consistent bioactive properties. This composite structure eliminates the need for precise clinical mixing, as the optimal particle-to-gel ratio is fixed during manufacturing, improving handling precision and reducing practitioner variability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

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 provides enhanced handling properties, biocompatibility, antibacterial effects, and tissue regeneration, with improved clinical performance by maintaining calcium ion presence on the surface of MTA, reducing the risk of inflammatory responses and supporting tissue regeneration.

Implementation Method 1

pre-reacted particulate mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) dispersed in a hydrogel wherein the content of MTA in the composition is in the range of 20 to 50 percent by weight based on the total weight of the composition

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydrogel: Hydrogel

Implementation Method 2

maintaining calcium ion presence on the surface of MTA, reducing the risk of inflammatory responses and supporting tissue regeneration

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectIon dissolution:

Data Source

PatentEP3630045B1Obturation composition
Publication Date: 2023.04.12 DENTSPLY SIRONA INC

AI summary

A dental composition comprising pre-reacted particulate mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) dispersed in a hydrogel wherein the content of MTA in the composition is in the range of 20 to 50 percent by weight based on the total weight of the composition.