Stain Resistant Polymerizable Composition for 3D Printed Dental Aligners
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Solution Overview
Problem
Direct print dental aligners exhibit poor stain resistance compared to thermoplastic materials, and existing stain-resistant polymers often have undesirable physical properties that hinder handling and 3D printing processes.
Innovation Solution
A novel polymerizable composition comprising an initiator, an oligomer with specific terminal and middle blocks, and a reactive diluent, which can be 3D printed at elevated temperatures and maintains desirable physical properties while providing enhanced stain resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If stain-resistant polymers are used, then stain resistance is improved, but physical properties become undesirable and handling becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the physical parameters of the polymer by controlling molecular weight (0.5-5 kDa) and incorporating specific functional groups (acrylate, methacrylate, polyurethane monomer units) to achieve stain resistance while maintaining acceptable viscosity and handling properties
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a composite polymer structure combining multiple monomer units (acrylate, methacrylate, polyurethane, polycarbonate, polyether, polyester) in a single oligomer chain to achieve both stain resistance and desirable physical properties simultaneously
2Reliability
If stain-resistant polymers are used, then stain resistance is improved, but 3D printing capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the viscosity parameter by selecting specific molecular weights (0.5-5 kDa) and incorporating reactive diluents, enabling the material to be 3D printed at temperatures above 25°C while maintaining stain resistance
Solution Approach 2:
The invention makes the material properties temperature-dependent, allowing the polymer to flow during 3D printing at elevated temperatures and then set to provide stain resistance in the final product
3Ease of manufacture
If direct print dental aligners are used, then manufacturing simplicity is improved, but stain resistance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by incorporating specific stain-resistant monomer units (polyurethane, polycarbonate, polyether, polyester) into the direct print material formulation
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a composite resin system combining multiple functional monomers that provides both the manufacturing simplicity of direct printing and the stain resistance previously requiring thermoplastic 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 achieves improved stain resistance and maintains favorable physical properties, enabling successful 3D printing and potential applications in dental aligners and other medical devices.
Implementation Method 1
a polymerizable composition comprising: i) an initiator; ii) an oligomer having...
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides polymerizable composition that can produce desirable stain resistant polymeric materials, polymer compositions, and/or photo-curable resins. Further provided herein are methods of producing polymerizable compositions, resins, devices, and polymeric materials. Also provided herein are methods of using polymerizable compositions, resins, and polymeric materials for the fabrication (e.g., via 3D printing) of medical devices, such as orthodontic appliances.