| abstract |
A microwave polymerization system for dentistry utilizes specifically controlled microwave energy to cure polymer materials so as to produce dental prosthetics, such as dentures, bridges and crowns, that are made in an extra-oral setting such as a dental laboratory or dental office, and to create dental composites for fillings and veneers that are used in an intra-oral setting directly in the patient's mouth. Unlike the microwave energy delivered by commercial microwave ovens which is controlled by pulsing a maximum voltage pulse on and off at a given duty cycle, the system utilizes metered and controlled microwave energy that is preferably continuous and voltage controlled, and regulates the application of this microwave energy by use of various feedback and control mechanisms. The metered and controlled microwave energy enables a higher degree of conversion of monomers into polymer chains in the polymerization process, thereby enhancing the physical and biocompatibility characteristics of both dental prosthetics and dental composites made from polymers. In an extra-oral embodiment, gaseous pressure is applied to the resin matrix during the polymerization process to further enhance the polymerization process. In an intra-oral embodiment, the polymerization process can be accomplished with less overall energy and with composite-matrices that maximally absorb the microwave energy so as to reduce heating of adjacent tissue. |