Introduction to Dental Materials

Introduction to Dental Materials

• Understanding dental materials is essential for optimal restoration outcomes.
• Science of Dental Materials encompasses physical, mechanical, and biological properties.

Historical Developments

• Ancient materials included seashells, ivory, bone, wood, metal wires, and human teeth.
• Etruscans (700-800 B.C.) created partial dentures.
• Mayans (600 B.C.) utilized implants and inlays.
• Phoenicians (2500 B.C.) employed gold wires and bands.
• Egyptian tooth doctors practiced dentistry as early as 3000 B.C.
• Pierre Fauchard (1678-1761) is recognized as the "Father of Modern Dentistry," publishing influential works on restorative materials in 1728.
• Innovations include wax impressions by Pfaff (1756) and patented “mineral paste” porcelain teeth by de Chamant (1792).
• G.V. Black (1895) made significant contributions to restorative dentistry.

Key Milestones

• 1915: Observation of fluoride's effects initiated.
• 1919: establishment of amalgam specifications by NIST.
• 1928: Dental Research Fellowship merged with ADA.
• 1935: Introduction of polymerized acrylic resin for denture bases.
• 1944: Fluoridation programs began in the U.S. at 1 ppm.

Importance of Studying Dental Materials

• Enhanced decision-making for material selection.
• Understanding material behavior is crucial for effective use.
• Safety considerations must be prioritized in material handling.
• Educating patients about the materials used.
• Facilitating comprehension of professional literature concerning dental materials.

Benefits of Dental Materials Science

• Influences the selection process of dental materials.
• Guides the evaluation processes to ensure quality and efficacy.

Selection and Evaluation of Materials

• Rigorous quality assurance programs are conducted by dental material manufacturers.
• Materials are subjected to standard specifications by ADA, FDA, and ISO.
• Laboratory evaluations ensure safety and efficacy outside of the human body, occasionally involving animal testing.
• Clinical trials are conducted in partnerships with universities or hospitals prior to product release.

Classification of Dental Materials

• Divided into Preventive, Restorative, and Auxiliary materials.

Preventive Dental Materials

• Aim to mitigate disease within the oral cavity.
• Examples include pit and fissure sealants, fluoride-releasing materials, and chemotherapeutic agents like chlorhexidine.

Restorative Dental Materials

• Comprise synthetic components for repairing or replacing tooth structures.
• Includes primers, bonding agents, cement bases, amalgam, resin-based composites, and cast metals.
• Further divided into:
  • Direct Restorative Materials: Applied directly intra-orally.
  • Indirect Restorative Materials: Fabricated outside the mouth onto casts.

Auxiliary Dental Materials

• Facilitate the creation of prostheses but do not become part of these devices.
• Include acid-etch solutions, impression materials, casting investments, gypsum material, dental waxes, and acrylic resins used in impressions and bleaching trays.