Upconversion Phosphor Coating for Dental Cement Curing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dental cements pose challenges in accurately and efficiently removing excess cement from confined areas during the curing process, leading to repetitive and time-consuming procedures that can induce stress and increase the likelihood of errors for dental professionals.
Innovation Solution
A luminescent coating containing upconversion phosphors is applied at the interface of dental structures, emitting radiation in the blue or UV spectrum when irradiated with red or infrared light, allowing for precise curing of dental cements and facilitating the removal of excess cement by controlling the curing process spatially.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional dental cements are used without luminescent coatings, then the curing process is simple and fast, but excess cement cannot be precisely controlled and removed, leading to time-consuming and error-prone procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The luminescent coating is applied selectively at specific locations on the dental structure where precise curing control is needed. The coating contains luminescent particles that emit light at specific wavelengths when exposed to excitation radiation, enabling localized curing of the dental cement only in the desired areas, thereby achieving precise excess cement removal without requiring complex overall system modifications
Solution Approach 2:
The luminescent coating acts as an intermediary between the excitation radiation source and the dental cement. It absorbs the excitation radiation and converts it to luminescence at a different wavelength, which then initiates curing of the cement. This intermediary layer enables precise spatial control of curing without requiring direct exposure of the cement to the excitation source, solving the precision problem
2Productivity
If luminescent coating with upconversion phosphors is applied to enable precise curing control, then excess cement removal becomes accurate and efficient, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The luminescent coating utilizes upconversion phosphors that change the wavelength parameter of the radiation. When exposed to excitation radiation at one wavelength, the phosphors convert it to luminescence at a different wavelength that is effective for cement curing. This parameter transformation enables fast and precise curing control while the coating itself remains a relatively simple composite material
Solution Approach 2:
The luminescent coating is formulated as a composite material containing luminescent particles (such as upconversion phosphors) dispersed in a suitable matrix. This composite structure combines the optical conversion capability of the particles with the adhesive and protective properties of the matrix, achieving both functional performance and material simplicity
3Ease of operation
If conventional curing methods are used, then the process is straightforward, but it induces stress and increases error likelihood for dental professionals due to repetitive and time-consuming excess cement removal
Solution Approach 1:
The luminescent coating is applied in advance before the dental cement is placed, pre-defining the exact areas where curing should occur. This preliminary preparation ensures that when the cement is applied, the curing will automatically happen only in the correct locations, eliminating the need for time-consuming post-curing adjustments and excess cement removal operations
Solution Approach 2:
The luminescent coating provides visual feedback through its luminescence emission, allowing dental professionals to clearly see where the excitation radiation is being absorbed and where curing is occurring. This feedback mechanism enables real-time verification of curing location and extent, reducing errors and the time needed for adjustments during the cement removal process
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 luminescent coating enables fast and accurate curing of dental cements, reducing the time and effort required for excess cement removal, while also allowing for precise control over the curing process, minimizing errors and stress for dental professionals.
Implementation Method 1
A luminescent coating comprising a binder and upconversion phosphors is applied to a surface of a dental structure... the upconversion phosphors emit radiation at a predetermined wavelength matching an initiator activation wavelength of a photoinitiator in a corresponding dental cement when the upconversion phosphors are irradiated with radiation having a wavelength of at least 780 nm
Implementation Method 2
the upconversion phosphors emit radiation at a predetermined wavelength matching an initiator activation wavelength of a photoinitiator in a corresponding dental cement... the dental cement composition comprises a polymerizable resin and a photoinitiator
Data Source
AI summary
A three-dimensional printing system including a feed source of uncured filled resin material, a print head configured to apply discrete layers of a composition including upconversion phosphors, and a radiation source configured to irradiate layers of uncured filled resin material and deposited layers of the composition is provided. A method of three dimensionally printing a dental article is also provided.