Staged Viscosity Dental Composite via Acid-Base Reaction

Solution Overview

Problem

Dental composite materials lack ideal handling properties, as flowable composites easily adapt to cavities but are difficult to shape before hardening, while universal composites can be shaped but require more effort to adapt and may trap air bubbles.

Innovation Solution

A non-aqueous dental restorative composition comprising two flowable parts that mix to form a stable consistency, allowing for adaptation and shaping before hardening, utilizing an acid-base reaction mechanism to transition from a flowable to a packable viscosity, enabling both flowability and sculptability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If flowable composite is used, then adaptation to cavity is improved, but shaping capability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptation to cavityVSAvoidshaping capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The composite material dynamically changes its viscosity over time through a chemical reaction. Initially, the composite remains flowable to adapt to the cavity, then progressively increases in viscosity to become packable and shapeable, allowing both adaptation and shaping capabilities in a single material system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The material undergoes a controlled change in its physical parameter (viscosity) through an acid-base reaction. The viscosity transitions from low (flowable) to high (packable) as the reaction progresses, enabling the material to exhibit different handling properties at different stages of the restoration procedure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of manufacture

If universal composite is used, then shaping capability is improved, but adaptation to cavity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshaping capabilityVSAvoidadaptation to cavity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The composite material dynamically changes its viscosity over time through a chemical reaction. Initially, the composite remains flowable to adapt to the cavity, then progressively increases in viscosity to become packable and shapeable, allowing both adaptation and shaping capabilities in a single material system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The material performs the adaptation action preliminarily during its flowable stage before hardening. The low viscosity state allows the material to flow and conform to the cavity geometry automatically, eliminating the need for subsequent packing or shaping actions that would be required with traditional universal composites.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Object-affected harmful factors

If flowable composite is used, then air trapping is reduced, but shaping effort increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveair trappingVSAvoidshaping effort

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The composite material dynamically changes its viscosity over time through a chemical reaction. Initially, the composite remains flowable to adapt to the cavity, then progressively increases in viscosity to become packable and shapeable, allowing both adaptation and shaping capabilities in a single material system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 allows for efficient adaptation to cavity geometries, reduces air trapping, and simplifies the restoration process by enabling shaping before hardening, enhancing clinical outcomes and reducing contamination risks.

Implementation Method 1

Reactant A includes an acid and Reactant B includes a base, and upon mixing flowable Part A and flowable Part B, the Reactant A acid is capable of reacting with the Reactant B base in an ionic acid-base reaction

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectIonic acid-base reaction: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 2

the mixed composition having the first staged stable consistency is capable of forming a hardened dental composition upon initiation of free radical polymerization

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFree radical polymerization: Photopolymerisation

Data Source

PatentUS11793731B2Multi-part dental composition having staged viscosity prior to hardening

Publication Date: 2023.10.24 SOLVENTUM INTELLECTUAL PROPERTIES CO

AI summary

Disclosed herein are non-aqueous compositions including: a flowable Part A including at least one resin and Reactant A; and a flowable Part B including at least one resin and Reactant B; wherein at least one of flowable Part A and flowable Part B further includes a free radically polymerizable resin; wherein at least one of flowable Part A and flowable Part B further includes a free radical initiator system; wherein flowable Part A and flowable Part B are capable of being mixed to provide a flowable mixed composition; wherein when flowable Part A and flowable Part B are mixed, Reactant A and Reactant B are capable of interacting to cause a non-free radical reaction within a first staging time to provide a first staged stable consistency for the mixed composition; wherein Reactant A comprises an acid and Reactant B comprises a base, and upon mixing flowable Part A and flowable Part B, the Reactant A acid is capable of reacting with the Reactant B base in an ionic acid-base reaction; and wherein the mixed composition having the first staged stable consistency is capable of forming a hardened dental composition upon initiation of free radical polymerization.