Dental materials for the biomedical sector

Glass-ceramics are produced by (partial) crystallization of special glasses. Due to the usually very fine microstructure, new combinations of properties can be created that significantly expand the field of glasses and ceramics. For example, glass-ceramics can achieve flexural strengths that are higher than all the individual phases themselves.

Since chemical resistance, color and translucency can also be adjusted, glass-ceramics are particularly suitable for use as dental materials.

The Fraunhofer ISC has developed a dental glass ceramic that can be processed chairside into crowns and bridges using CAD-CAM methods. In 2019, ISC scientists were awarded the Joseph von Fraunhofer Prize "Technology for People" for their commercial success.
 

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A class of materials with diverse properties

ORMOCER^® materials are hybrid polymers that contain both inorganic and organic components. These polymers enable the integration of functional groups during synthesis, allowing for the combination of different properties. Photopolymerizable resins can be used to produce prototypes in the dental and medical sectors in a time-saving and cost-effective manner, with a wide range of attributes using various 3D printing processes.

Versatile use in implantology

Glass is an excellent starting material for 3D-manufactured, patient-specific implants due to its versatile shape. The Fraunhofer ISC has extensively researched and broadened the range of shapes of biocompatible or bioactive glass, creating new possibilities in biomedical applications. Our focus is not only on glass-based material concepts, but also on utilizing innovative technologies such as 3D printing to explore the full potential of composite materials. Targeted crystallization offers new and exciting application possibilities by optimally utilizing the advantages of two material classes: the shaping versatility of glasses and the mechanical and optical properties of ceramics.

Our developed glass systems have a wide range of applications, including

• 3D scaffolds
• Particulate cell growth substrates
• Patient-specific implants
  

Of course, this is just a sampling. We look forward to being inspired by your innovative ideas and working with you to develop the optimum solution for your or your customers' material requirements.

Let us show you the advantages of bioglasses such as

• Free-form surfaces
• Variable functional porosity
• Customizable chemical composition
• Microstructurability
• Targeted biodegradability             
  
  in your specific application.

Digital Light Processing (DLP)

DLP uses photopolymerizable resins to print components layer by layer from a material tray. The simultaneous curing of the entire layer means that the printing time is independent of the number and complexity of the components, resulting in enormous time savings compared to other printing processes. Compared to conventional milling or cutting processes, digital light processing can also save a significant amount of material, and new 3D printable and biocompatible materials or composites offer new solutions to various biomedical challenges.

3D Bioprinting

3D bioprinting is an innovative process that uses living cells and biomaterials to print three-dimensional tissue structures. This approach has the potential to revolutionize medicine and pharmacy by enabling the production of customized tissues and even organs in the future. By combining biology, engineering, and materials science, bioprinting opens new avenues for tissue regeneration, drug development, and disease understanding.

We offer to test print your materials and inks using a variety of additive manufacturing techniques in our bioprinting facility. Combine materials, printing and biology in one step!

Extrusion is ideal for the fully automated production of high quality composite blocks. The entire process, from the mixing of the raw materials to the finished blocks, is carried out in a continuous process without separate mixing units or manual shaping. This provides the advantage of efficient and consistent production.

Composites are an important part of dentistry. They are used as filling materials and sometimes for indirect restorations.
 

Dental composites based on ORMOCER^® material offer several advantages over purely organic systems:

• The monomer-free matrix system ensures a biocompatible material base.
• The inorganic content results in low polymerization shrinkage and high abrasion resistance.
• The mechanical properties can be tailored by introducing different functional groups.