Methods For Developing Novel Dental Nanomaterials For Fillings And Dental Crowns Based On Nano-composites

Reference number: STC-PS-0776
Inventor(s): M. Al-Haik; T. Khraishi
For more information, contact: Erin M. Beaumont (505-272-7912) or Minh D. Tran (505-272-7937)

Patent(s)

Application(s) pending

Background

Dental fillings are traditionally made out of fast-setting pastes obtained by mixing solid-liquid components. Most of these filling materials are set by an acid-base reaction (for cement) or by polymerization (for resins). The standard filling is made of Zinc phosphate and is composed particularly of zinc oxide powder and a 50% phosphoric acid solution containing Al and Zn. Problems with existing dental fillings and crowns include interfacial leakages due to cement porosity and bonding issues.

Technology

This technology provides synthesis and fabrication of composite materials for dental fillings and other composites for crowns. This novel composite is made using made using magnetically aligned single-wall and multi-wall carbon nanotubes, graphite nanoparticles, nano-sized silicon carbide particles (or other carbides) and/or nano-sized aluminum oxide particles (or other oxides) together with polymer systems that cure under UV lights. Additionally crowns can be made by using Hot Isostatic Pressing of a ceramic powder and carbon nanotubes, i.e. by sintering, at a temperature lower than the melting point of both ingredients.

Applications/Advantages

Benefits of this technology include teeth fillings and crowns that are stronger, harder, and more wear resistant. The nanoparticles and nanotubes produce a polymer-based filling with modulus, strength, and toughness higher than the same filling without the nanoparticle/nanotubes. We achieve superior toughness, modulus, and strength compared to pure ceramic crowns with the addition of nanotubes to the ceramic crowns. In addition, these fillings are expected to have better polish retention than those based on micro fillers while maintaining better physical properties and wear resistance.

Supporting Publications:

Synthesis and Characterisation of Nano Alumina Dental Filler Marwan S. Al-Haik, Caleb Hanson, Claudia Luhrs, Mehran Tehrani, Jonathan Phillips, Scott Miltenberger, International Journal of Nano and Biomaterials, Vol. 1, No. 4, 2008.

Investigation of the Nanomechanical and Tribological Properties of Dental Materials Marwan S. Al-Haik, Shane Trinkle, Daniel Garcia, Fan Yang, Ulises Martinez, Hartono Sumali, Scott Miltenberger, International Journal of Theoretical and Applied Multiscale Mechanics, Vol. 1, No. 1, 2009.

Keywords

Composite Material Manufacturer, Dental Equipment Manufacturers, Dental Materials Manufacturers

Related Categories

• Materials, Chemistry, and Chemical Engineering