Polymerizable Ionic Liquids for Dental Composites

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current dental compositions lack effective polymerizable ionic liquids with low melting points that can be easily used in dental applications, leading to challenges in polymerization and bonding processes.

Innovation Solution

Development of curable dental compositions incorporating polymerizable ionic liquids with ethylenically unsaturated groups, which can be monofunctional or multifunctional, and are designed to be used as primers, adhesives, and composites, allowing for polymerization at ambient temperatures and improved bonding properties.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If conventional ionic liquids are used in dental compositions, then ionic properties are achieved, but polymerization capability is lost due to high melting points

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemelting pointVSAvoidpolymerization capability

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the chemical structure of ionic liquids by incorporating ethylenically unsaturated groups (such as vinyl, acrylate, or methacrylate groups) into the cation or anion. This structural parameter change enables the ionic liquid to undergo polymerization while maintaining low melting point characteristics, thus resolving the contradiction between maintaining ionic liquid properties and enabling polymerization capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates polymerizable ionic liquids that combine the ionic characteristics of traditional ionic liquids with the polymerizable functionality of unsaturated compounds. This composite molecular structure allows the material to exhibit both ionic liquid properties (low melting point, ionic conductivity) and polymerization capability, simultaneously addressing both requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Ease of operation

If oxygen is present during curing, then air curing is possible, but polymerization efficiency is reduced due to oxygen inhibition

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecuring environment flexibilityVSAvoidpolymerization efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs photoinitiator systems that are specifically selected or modified to be effective in the presence of oxygen. By using photoinitiators with appropriate absorption spectra and reaction mechanisms, the system converts the previously harmful oxygen atmosphere into a non-inhibiting environment, allowing efficient polymerization to proceed in air without requiring oxygen exclusion techniques.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Ease of operation

If polymerizable ionic liquids with low melting points are developed, then ease of use is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveusability in dental applicationsVSAvoidmolecular structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent systematically varies the ionic liquid structure by changing the cation (e.g., imidazolium, pyridinium, ammonium) and anion (e.g., halide, carboxylate, sulfonate) combinations while incorporating unsaturated groups. This parameter-based approach allows for the development of multiple ionic liquid variants with different melting points and polymerization characteristics, enabling selection of optimal compounds for specific dental applications without requiring completely new molecular architectures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 use of these polymerizable ionic liquids enables efficient curing and bonding in dental applications, providing strong and durable dental restorations with enhanced bond strength and reduced surface residue, while allowing for complete curing in air without the need for oxygen exclusion.

Implementation Method 1

The curable dental compositions describe herein can be utilized as dental primers, dental adhesives, dental sealants, and dental composites. In many embodiments, the curable dental compositions further comprise an initiator such as a photoinitiator.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotopolymerization: Photopolymerisation

Data Source

PatentUS9168206B2Curable dental compositions and articles comprising polymerizable ionic liquids

Publication Date: 2015.10.27 SOLVENTUM INTELLECTUAL PROPERTIES CO

AI summary

Presently described are curable dental compositions comprising a polymerizable ionic liquid. The polymerizable ionic liquid comprises one or more ethylenically unsaturated (e.g. free-radically polymerizable) groups. Various embodiments of curable dental compositions are described. In some embodiments, the polymerizable ionic liquid is a monofunctional polymerizable ionic liquid comprising an ethylenically unsaturated group. In other embodiments, the polymerizable ionic liquid is a multifunctional polymerizable ionic liquid comprising at least two ethylenically unsaturated groups. The curable dental compositions describe herein can be utilized as dental primers, dental adhesives, dental sealants, and dental composites. In many embodiments, the curable dental compositions further comprise an initiator such as a photoinitiator.