TAB1500 Dental Material Science 2 Course description

Dental alloys and ceramics are often used as restorative material either separately or in combination with each other as a metal-ceramic solution. Knowledge about the physical and chemical properties of both material groups is of great importance when it comes to choosing materials, designing and producing dental restorations for different patient cases. How to treat the materials to achieve optimal chemical and micro-mechanical bonds between different ceramics and metal-ceramic solutions are central to the course.

Equipment and materials for digital design and production of oral prosthetic solutions are part of the present and future workflows of dental technical laboratories. Basic knowledge about the technology behind digital production techniques is needed in order to ensure a high material technology quality in the production, knowledge which in turn provides insight into the opportunities and limitations of materials, equipment and production. It is therefore important to be familiar with the calibration, updating and maintenance of equipment.

The student must have been admitted to the study 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

• explain the chemical and physical properties of metals, alloys and ceramics
• explain indications for the use of dental alloys, ceramics and metal-ceramic structures.
• explain different types of fractures, fracture mechanisms and reasons for fracturing in relation to metal alloys, ceramics and metal-ceramic structures
• describe the micro and macro structure of metals, alloys and ceramics
• describe the composition and treatment of the material groups dental alloys and ceramics
• explain corrosion, corrosion types and other factors that influence degradation of dental alloys in an oral environment
• explain chemical and micro-mechanical bonds between dental porcelain and relevant types of alloys
• describe the various mechanical properties on the basis of a stress and strain diagram
• describe relevant testing methods for evaluating the mechanical properties of alloys and ceramics in relation to relevant international standards for testing of dental alloys and ceramics
• describe digital techniques for reading/scanning, designing and producing oral prosthetics solutions
• explain relevant materials used in the digital production of oral prosthetics solutions

Skills 

The student can

• independently prepare a scientific report based on observations and results from their own materials testing
• under supervision, carry out calibration and fundamental maintenance of the programme’s scanners/readers and digital production units

The work and teaching methods vary between 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 3 hours

None

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.

5 credits overlap with the course TANN1200 Dental Materials