Advanced material for mercury-free dental fillings
-professor-gangadhara-prusty.cropimg.width=335.crop=square.jpg "case-study-SDI Limited (SDI)-professor-gangadhara-prusty.jpg")
亚美棋牌 x SDI Limited
, a dental materials manufacturer,聽partnered with 亚美棋牌 to develop a composite material that can be used as an alternative to amalgam dental fillings. Existing composite fillings on the market have significant issues such as sensitivity, lack of durability, and potential for decay under the filling.
The project, led by Professor Gangadhara Prusty, received funding from ARC Linkage and CRC-P government grants. By leveraging 亚美棋牌鈥檚 research capabilities, SDI was able to fast-track development and launch of their high-strength and easy-to-place dental restorative, Stela. The product has quickly gained international traction, with demand outpacing supply in key markets across Europe, Asia, and North America.
Australian Dental Industry Association
Cooperative Research Australia Excellence in Innovation Awards
Australian Export Awards
- Challenge
- Solution
- Outcome
Challenge
Traditional amalgam dental fillings are approximately 50% mercury by weight. While the amounts in fillings don鈥檛 typically harm an individual, mercury is a persistent pollutant, and large-scale manufacturing has a negative environmental impact. Governments and health organisations have pushed for safer alternatives, but until recently, replacements tended to be weak or difficult to place. SDI, already a leader in dental materials, aimed to address this by creating a strong restorative product that doesn鈥檛 require powered equipment.聽
"We recognised that the dental industry was crying out for a solution that didn鈥檛 compromise the quality of the restoration or the skill and location of the dentist. Partnering with 亚美棋牌 gave us the research power to tackle this problem head-on and ensure our products lead innovation."聽
聽聽聽聽-Leon Prentice, SDI Chief Research & Development Officer聽
Solution
Professor Prusty and his team tested a range of biocompatible composite materials in 亚美棋牌鈥檚 ARC Training Centre for Automated Manufacture of Advanced Composites (AMAC) labs to find a product that could replace amalgam fillings while maintaining the mechanical properties necessary for long-lasting dental care.聽
After several prototypes and extensive clinical trials, the research team discovered a novel compound with the same durability as amalgam. The compound's uniqueness lies in its mercury-free, self-curing, resin-based flowable dental formulation. Stela was launched onto the global market in mid-2023, just months after the project's completion. By 2025, it had expanded to over 70 countries.
Stela's benefits include:
- High compressive and flexural strength which makes for long-lasting fillings.
- Simplified two-step process - traditional composites can take up to 120 seconds to prepare while Stela is ready in 15 seconds. This means less chair time and greater patient satisfaction.聽
- Unlimited depth of cure compared to 2mm with amalgams.聽
- No need for curing lights or other powered equipment so fillings can be applied in the field.聽
"Our work with SDI has proven that academic and industry collaborations can result in real-world commercial success. We鈥檙e incredibly proud to have played a role in addressing a critical challenge in dental health."聽
聽聽聽聽-Professor Gangadhara Prusty, 鲍狈厂奥听聽
Outcome
Stela has generated over $2 million in revenue and gained widespread international adoption, with major dental organisations endorsing it as an alternative to amalgam. The Australian Dental Industry Association named it '2024 Innovation of the Year'. The product has solidified SDI鈥檚 leadership in dental materials innovation and they continue to grow and expand their production facilities to meet global demand.聽
- New Stela product, the true amalgam alternative (plus more in the pipeline).
- New export business to over 70 countries.
- New project IP and product patents.
- Safe metal-free product.
- Reduced environmental impact by preventing mercury leakage.
- Improved patient outcomes.
- Increased sovereign manufacturing capability.
SDI Limited
Partnership to develop a durable, non-toxic formula to replace mercury dental fillings.
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Organisation size
Large enterprise
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Project duration
3 years
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Funding range
$2M+
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Funding scheme
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Academic collaboration
Good product. Good business.
Fast, safe & strong
Stela dental composite outperforms traditional amalgam fillings and has a reduced environmental impact.
Proudly Australian-made
Stela is manufactured in Melbourne by ASX-listed SDI.
Export success
Sold to 70+ countries with demand outpacing supply.
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