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

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 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