Development of dental ceramics based on alumina and zirconia

• Grant number: 03/14104-0
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Innovative Research in Small Business - PIPE
• Start date: July 01, 2004
• End date: October 31, 2007
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Materials and Metallurgical Engineering - Nonmetallic Materials
• Principal Investigator: Jose D Amico Neto
• Grantee: Jose D Amico Neto
• Company: Tecnident Equipamentos Ortodônticos Ltda
• City: São Carlos

Abstract

The orthodontics components sector has come on a pace in Brazil in the last ten years. It is estimated that this market turns over around US$ 100 million annually and, of this sum, 40 per cent represents the participation of Brazilian industry, which manufactures a very large range of once imported products. These include metal alloys, amalgams, components such as metal braces, cement and materials for the treatment of dental canals. However, the vast majority of ceramic-based products are still imported, such as ceramic braces, dental porcelains, ceramic enamels and various types of cement and molds for precision dental casting. The objective of this project is the development of alumina and zirconia based ceramic braces. Alumina is proposed as the base ceramic to be used in the production of colored components, much sought after in dental surgeries by children and adolescents who undergo treatment for orthodontic correction; and zirconia, as a base for the production of components with colorations which approximate to the different natural tones of teeth. In order to achieve this, studies will be undertaken on the synthesis of alumina-based and zirconia- based mixtures containing different quantities of dopants capable of coloring the molds of both. (AU)