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ePaper created 2016-03-21, 09:27:35 | version 1.38.0
exhibitors 12 Hinman Dental Meeting — March 18, 2016 Ad By Nanova Biomaterials Staff n NovaPro Flow (flowable) and NovaProFill(universal),fashionedby NanovaBiomaterials,arethefirstand only commercial dental composites reinforced by nanofibers, according to the company. Why does Nanova use nanofibers in their composites instead of only nanoparticles? High strength, great handling properties and uncompro- mised esthetics are only some of the reasonsthesepatentpendingnanofib- ers are the wave of the future in den- tal devices, the company asserts. These hydroxyapatite nanofibers — manufactured at Nanova’s Colum- bia, Mo., headquarters — are com- posed of a mineral found in nature: calcium phosphate. The trait that makes nanofibers so unique is the composition. They are made of calcium phosphate, the same structure as teeth and bone — a hard inorganic mineral in a soft organic matrix. For example, the enamel of a tooth is made up of high-volume, needle- like mineral crystals (approximately 15–20 nanometers thick and 1,000 nanometers long) in a small-volume, soft-protein matrix. Bone and dentin are made up of plate-like crystals (approximately 2–4 nanometers thick andupto100nanometerslong)embed- ded in a collagen-rich protein matrix. By comparison, the nanofibers have a thickness of less than 100 nanometers in diameter, or 1,000 times smaller than a human hair. Not only are they made of the same composition as the tooth they are restoring, providing a natural look, but this nanoscale size also provides unsurpassable strength, according to the company. The strength found in nanofib- ers comes from its one-dimensional nature and large surface area. If you apply a shear force to a group of nano- particles, it is easy for the particles to slidebyeachother.Ontheotherhand, a fiber has a solid connection that is stronger to resist bending, shear and tensile forces. Similar to rebar reinforced concrete, these fibers add sturdiness to the composite by form- ing a framework. In comparison, dental glass or ceramic particles typically found in other dental composites have a ten- sile strength of approximately 50 MPa, which does not adequately rein- force a composite, causing repeat procedures on many patients. According to the Griffith theory discovered during World War I, it was found that needle-like mineral crystals could reach their theoretical strength when their diameters are in nanoscale. Microscopic flaws cause a material tofail,sobycreatingananoscalefiber, flaws are limited, providing the abil- ity to reach the material’s maximum strength. Nanova chose to produce this highest level of strength while still allowing the fibers the mobility of bending without breaking. In addition, nano-scaled mineral crystals are not sensitive to cracks or stress concentration, which will degradethematerialinthecomposite over time. This high strength and low sensitivity to cracks are advantages provided by the nanofiber reinforced NovaPro composite line, according to the company. Why trust the quality of your work to any other composite? Evolution of dentistry: Nanofiber composites Here in Atlanta To learn more about NovaPro Flow (flowable)andNovaProFill(universal), stopbytheNanovaBiomaterialsbooth, No. 1750. 5 (Photo/Provided by Nanova Biomaterials)