Introduction
Human teeth possess remarkable mechanical properties, yet they are not immune to wear and tear or damage throughout a person’s life. When such issues arise, bio-materials play a crucial role in restoring dental function. Damage to human teeth can result from temperature changes, pH fluctuations, and the impact of various microorganisms on tissues and teeth.
The Function and Challenges of Human Teeth
The primary function of human teeth is to chew food, a task achieved by applying forces millions or even billions of times annually. This constant application of force can lead to wear and tear, necessitating the use of bio-materials for repair or replacement.
Understanding Dental Damage
Numerous studies focus on the various aspects of dental tissue or material damage. It is essential to comprehend the effects of wear and tear on the functional and mechanical properties of dental tissues, such as hardness and elastic modulus. Bio-materials are increasingly used to replace damaged teeth.
Rapid Prototyping in Dentistry
Rapid prototyping is a technology used to manufacture prototypes and solid models directly from 3D CAD models using photopolymers and bio-materials. This technology has gained interest due to its ability to integrate high resolution. The process involves using dental CAD/CAM milling burs to mill the 3D photopolymer model accurately.
Applications of Rapid Prototyping
Rapid prototyping is employed in various fields, including dentistry and automotive design. The primary goal in dentistry is to design artificial teeth using this technology. Historically, artificial teeth were made from metal, porcelain, gold, and silver, which often lacked stability.
Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) Technique
The development of rapid prototyping-based teeth involves the Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) technique, which uses poly-methyl acrylate (PMMA), also known as acrylic teeth. PMMA’s net-like structure provides enhanced resistance to deformation, resulting in teeth with greater toughness. However, rapid prototyping in medicine is a complex task that requires extensive knowledge in both medical and engineering fields.
Popular Dental Lab Supplies
Several dental lab supply blocks are now available on the market, including:
- Open dental milling systems such as Wieland, Vhf, Imes-icore, and Unique milling systems
- Sirona, Amann Girrbach, and Zirkonzahn systems
The manufacturing process for prostheses is similar to that of PEEK dental material.
Conclusion
The integration of bio-materials and rapid prototyping technology in dentistry offers promising solutions for dental restoration. By understanding the mechanical properties of teeth and the advancements in dental materials, we can continue to improve the durability and functionality of dental prostheses.
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