TAB1200 Dental Material Science 1 Course description

Fundamental material science provides the necessary natural science background for understanding material studies and material science principles. Knowledge of dental material science gives insight into the possibilities and limitations of design, structure planning and choice of material. By fundamental material science is meant further research and development of dental materials and the national and international requirements that apply to the materials. Safety in relation to processing, handling and storage of materials and responsible use of equipment and machines is emphasised with regards to creating good procedures and attitudes (HSE) in the laboratory.

Auxiliary dental materials provide an introduction to materials that are used exclusively in the production of dental technology products. The way in which auxiliary materials are used plays a major difference in ensuring the quality of the permanent tooth replacements.

Materials such as polymers have many areas of use either as auxiliary or restorative materials. Polymers’ areas of use, physical and chemical properties and how the materials must be treated to preserve their properties will be a central part of the course.

The student must have been admitted to the stydy programme

After completing the course, the student should have the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence: 

Knowledge 

The student

• can describe relevant methods for testing of the physical and chemical properties of dental materials
• can explain physical concepts and theories relating to dental material science
• can explain the surface properties of dental materials
• can describe the structure of the periodic table and atoms and types of chemical bonding
• can present simple balanced chemical equations and explain the mole concept
• can explain concentrations and pH
• can explain organic and inorganic compounds, functional groups and network solids that may be included in dental materials
• can explain electrochemical processes and their importance to corrosion in an oral environment
• can describe the composition and treatment of auxiliary dental materials
• can explain different types of dental plaster and other model materials, their areas of use and properties
• can explain the most common dental impression materials, their areas of use and properties
• is familiar with different types of composite materials and dental cements and their areas of use
• can describe how polymers should be treated and processed to preserve the material properties
• can explain the most common polymer materials used in odontology
• can explain polymers’ physical and chemical properties
• can explain polymerisation processes and the importance of a high rate of conversion

Skills

The student can

• carry out simple stoichiometry calculations based on a balanced chemical equation

General competence

The student can

• use, store and dispose of relevant dental technology materials and chemicals in an independent and correct manner with regards to health, safety and the environment (HSE) for the purpose of establishing good procedures and attitudes in the laboratory

The work and teaching methods include lectures, self-study, lab exercises and seminars combined with theoretical assignments carried out in groups and individually. The lab exercises may consist of materials testing.

The following must have been approved in order for the student to take the exam: 

• a minimum attendance of 90 % at demonstration lectures and lab exercises
• a minimum attendance of 80 % in skills training, seminars and compulsory supervision

Supervised individual written exam, combination of multiple choice and free text assignments, up to 4 hours

Calculator handed out by the university

Grade scale A-F

An external examiner contributes to the preparation and quality assurance of the exam questions. Two internal examiners will assess all exams.

10 credits overlap with the course TANN1200 Dental Materials