SMILE

Motivation

Dentistry, especially orthodontics, is experiencing a high demand for new materials and material combinations that can be used in the oral environment and meet the increasing esthetic demands of patients. Ceramics are not suitable as an esthetic material due to the risk of enamel abrasion, especially in the lower jaw.

Objectives and Approaches

The aim of the project is to develop new functionalized metal-polymer hybrid material components for dental applications, whereat the material interface will be first enhanced by additively manufactured micro-topology (macro- and micro-structuring) and by ameliorating polymer infiltration in a second step. In addition, an active anti-microbiological substance to reduce oral biofilm formation will functionalize the composite-material surface.

Innovations and Prospectives

The particular innovation lies in the improvement of metal-polymer interfacial interlocking generated by additive manufacturing and surface functionalization with anchor polymers punctured with an active antimicrobial substance (for example, hexetidine). So far, for aesthetic orthodontic treatment no material combining these functions is currently available at the market.