Nanosynthesis of new metallic restorative materials

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Long-term public health concerns and sources of environmental contamination are liabilities of present amalgam-based dental fillings. The purpose of this research is to develop new metallic restorative materials without containing mercury. Phase I will demonstrate the nanotechnology to produce restorative materials which are readily for condensation into the dental cavity without using or containing hazardous chemicals. Consequently, Phase I will evaluate the basic condensation procedure and characterize promising restorative materials in order to establish performance features comparable to amalgam. Once viable nanosynthesis and condensation process are established, Phase II will pursue to the development of clinically acceptable prototype systems that would have the potential of replacing the amalgam products. Commercial Applications: New non-mercury dental filling materials will provide the incentive or an imperative transition for phasing out amalgams without imposing cost and clinical procedure impacts on the general population and dentists. Eliminating mercury from the dental practice would also provide a substantial reduction of the mercury source to the global environment. Potential commercial applications should be very wide, due to a large dental restoration market. Since these new alloy filling materials are easy to apply, durable, and low in cost, they will possess significant advantages over current alternative materials on the market.