Polyurethane Oligomers for Dental Restorations

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current dental restorative materials face challenges such as sensitivity to moisture, inadequate durability, toxicity, and poor mechanical properties, particularly in stress-bearing areas, which limits their effectiveness and safety for long-lasting restorations.

Innovation Solution

A composite material composed of naturally-derived polyurethane oligomers from palm oil-based polyols, grafted with unsaturated acrylic monomers and curable by free radical initiation, enhancing crosslinking density and mechanical strength, while being environmentally friendly and reducing toxicity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If dental amalgam is used for restorative materials, then durability and long-lasting restoration are achieved, but toxicity and mercury content are released

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovedurabilityVSAvoidmercury content

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces toxic mercury-based amalgam with naturally-derived polyurethane oligomers from renewable resources (palm oil, soybean oil, coconut oil). These bio-based oligomers provide comparable or superior mechanical properties without releasing harmful metals, converting a harmful material system into a beneficial alternative that maintains durability while eliminating toxicity.

Inventive Principle:

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

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the chemical composition parameters by using polyols with specific molecular weights (100-1000 g/mol) and hydroxyl values (50-500 mg KOH/g) derived from natural oils. This parameter optimization ensures the material achieves the required mechanical strength and durability while maintaining biocompatibility and eliminating mercury content.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of manufacture

If conventional composite resins are used, then aesthetic value is improved, but sensitivity to moisture and lack of resistance to chewing stress occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaesthetic valueVSAvoidresistance to chewing stress

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a composite material system combining naturally-derived polyurethane oligomers with silane-modified polyepoxies and unsaturated monomers. This multi-component composite structure provides both aesthetic properties and enhanced mechanical resistance, particularly to chewing stress, while maintaining moisture stability through the crosslinked network structure formed during curing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The silane-modified polyepoxy component forms a flexible crosslinked network that acts as a protective matrix, providing resistance to chewing stress and moisture infiltration while maintaining the aesthetic appearance of the restoration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Ease of manufacture

If glass ionomers are used, then fluoride release and minimal drilling are achieved, but low tensile strength and low impact resistance occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluoride releaseVSAvoidtensile strength

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the molecular weight and hydroxyl value parameters of the polyol components to create a crosslinked network with enhanced mechanical strength. The resulting material maintains fluoride release capability through the glass ionomer component while achieving superior tensile strength and impact resistance through the polyurethane oligomer matrix.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Ease of manufacture

If resin modified glass ionomer cement is used, then aesthetic result is improved, but not recommended for biting surfaces of adult teeth

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaesthetic resultVSAvoidsuitability for stress-bearing areas

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent develops a novel composite material combining polyurethane oligomers with glass ionomer and composite resin components. This multi-phase composite structure provides the aesthetic properties of resin-modified glass ionomer while the polyurethane matrix enhances the mechanical strength and stress-bearing capability, making it suitable for both aesthetic and stress-bearing applications.

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 composite material demonstrates improved mechanical strength, dimensional stability, fatigue resistance, and biocompatibility, offering a safer and more durable alternative to traditional dental amalgam, with enhanced properties comparable to established commercial products.

Implementation Method 1

the oligomer being grafted with an unsaturated acrylic monomer having hydroxyl groups and being curable by free radical initiation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFree radical initiation: Photopolymerisation

Data Source

PatentUS8703897B2Polyurethane oligomers for use in restorative dentistry

Publication Date: 2014.04.22 UNIVERSITI MALAYA

AI summary

A composition of dental filling materials comprising a urethane oligomer obtained from a reaction between natural oil-derived polyols and a diisocyanate in excess to create terminals of isocyanate groups, the oligomer being grafted with an unsaturated acrylic monomer having hydroxyl groups which could react with the isocyanate terminals, and the resulting dental material being curable by free radical initiation.