Technology


The Nano Advantage: So how does it work?

Now you know what nano technology is and some of the possibilities, but what about the details? Here’s a break down of how each of the highlighted products use nano technology.

NanoTite
Biomet 3i
800-443-8166
www.biomet3i.com

Nano scale crystals of calcium phosphate are applied to the OSSEOTITE^® Implant’s acid etched surface to create an even more complex surface topography at the nano scale level, says Rick Sajewski, Senior Product Manager, Implant Systems. Additionally, this application increases the surface area by an average of 200%. According to pre-clinical studies, adding these nano scale crystals to the already roughened implant surface enhances the rate and extent of bone-to-implant contact as compared to the OSSEOTITE Implant alone.

“Post implant placement, primary mechanical stability can be impacted by bone remodeling,” Sajewski says. “The complex architecture of the NanoTite™ Implant Surface optimizes the conditions for enhanced bone-to-implant contact in the early stages of wound healing.”^*

Based on success the company had with previous products, 3M Division Scientist Joe D. Oxman, Ph.D, says they set out to improve the esthetics and abrasion resistance of resin-modified glass ionomers with nano technology.

How? By incorporating small nano clusters, or a group of small nano particles (picture a cluster of grapes), bonded together, into the liquid. A large number of these small nano fillers are in the material instead of a small number of larger fillers. If one is released from the group, it doesn’t leave a big “gouge” as a larger piece would. This improved distribution accounts for the enhanced polish and wear resistance.

“We’ve really created a unique formulation,” Oxman says. “It combines traditional glass ionomer technology, resin modified glass ionomer technology and nano technology. It’s really the combination of all these that ultimately provides the improved esthetics while maintaining high fluoride release.”

Dentsply Caulk
800-532-2855
www.caulk.com

Nano filler gives this polish abrasion resistance, but because the filler is so small it doesn’t show up as a clump in the material. Abrasion resistance can also be achieved by dumping glass into the material, says  Michael T. O'Connor, Ph.D, Manager, Restoratives R&D, but that will make the material more opaque or translucent as opposed to clear.

These super small particles don’t interact with light. When formulated into a resin, the particles are so small that they don’t produce refractive effects, yet it also toughens the material.

“So you can toughen the material without introducing appearance issues,” O'Connor says. “And when you’re talking about a surface polishing agent, you don’t want it to affect the underlying appearance of the restoration.”

OsseoSpeed
Astra Tech Inc.
800-531-3481
www.astratech.com

By chemically modifying the implant’s titanium surface, scientists created a topography that allows bone cells to achieve a position on the implant surface. The micro-roughened titanium surface treated with fluoride creates increased bone formation and stronger bone-to-implant bonding. The nano scale topography created stimulates early bone healing to speed up the healing process.

Cells that grow on the surface mineralize and the fluoride treatment causes a topographical change at a nano scale level; if you look at the surface at a 500 nm resolution, you can see the modified topography and nano scale structures.

“What we have observed is a physical-chemical effect of the OsseoSpeed surface leading to the improved adsorption of calcium phosphate to the surface,” surface creator and professor at the University of Oslo Jan Eirik Ellingsen says, according to a news release. “For patients and doctors, this means that OsseoSpeed is demonstrated to result in more bone formation, stronger bone integration and faster bone healing.”