Dental Product Physical Property Measurement

Measure a multitude of physical properties in a wide range of different ways

The worldwide effort to push forward standards for the provision of quality oral health care is driving a large research effort in both academic and industrial settings of orthodontics. A large component of this research is based around Texture Analysis, ensuring the products used by dentists and consumers have optimal performance. Using instruments that measure the tensile and compressional properties of dental material and components, texture analysis can play a pivotal role in measuring product conformity and compliance with standards as well as analysing and controlling the desired mechanical or textural properties of any new or existing product for the market. 

As with any manufacturing innovation, a large amount of research takes place during development, and the end product must go through a quality control process to assess its physical properties. Whether its ensuring denture fixatives are able to grip sufficiently, toothbrush bristles offer the correct stiffness or toothpaste has the desired consistency, the correct measurement will ensure product expectations are met. A selection of typical dental research examples are:

• Compression behaviour of Dental fillers – read more  
• Wear simulation of dental ceramics – read more
• Measurement of unloading force, stiffness, springback and surface hardness of nickel-titanium arch wires – read more
• Crown removal force – read more
• Tooth bonding forces – read more
• Mechanical properties of chewable products – see video of patent

A wide range of DENTAL test methods is built into Exponent Texture Analyser software and will automatically load at the click of a button. We help make your testing quicker to access and the analysis of your product properties already prepared for you. 

Typical measurements include: • Hardness • Breaking Strength • Consistency • Compressibility • Flexure • Wear Simulation • Friction • Abrasion • Tube Content Removal Force • Toothbrush Bristle Stiffness (BS EN ISO 20126) • Bioadhesive Force • Bonding Force • Fixative Adhesiveness 

Over the years we’ve worked with top scientists and companies in the field to develop new fixtures to measure specific product properties. When the test solution didn’t exist we went ahead and developed it – the Abrasion Test Rig (for tooth reduction assessment) is a classic example of our Community Registered Designs. 

We are totally dedicated to the physical property measurement of your dental products – but don’t just take our word for it, read an example of what our customers have to say.

Any of the texture analyser range can be used for the product tests listed. 

A selection of special attachments and typical measurements which are commonly used in this application area are shown, although this does not necessarily include the complete range available for the testing of medical devices. Test procedures include: compression, puncture / penetration, tension, fracture / bending, extrusion, cutting / shearing.