Desarrollo de un Material en base a yeso reutilizado de moldes de impresión odontológica para aplicaciones en sectores productivos

Abstract

This research addresses the problem of gypsum waste from dental impression moulds, a material that, despite its potential for reuse, is often discarded without proper treatment, generating negative impacts on the environment and public health. From an industrial design perspective, the development of a composite material made from recovered plaster, mixed with resin and fibreglass, is proposed for possible application in non-clinical production sectors. The methodological process included the collection, cleaning, grinding, calcination, and reprocessing of discarded gypsum, followed by the manufacture of test specimens subjected to tensile, impact, and flexural fatigue tests. The experimental results support the use of recycled dental gypsum as a viable resource in composite materials, especially in applications where impact resistance and resource sustainability are prioritised. This study validates the technical and environmental feasibility of reusing dental waste, proposing a sustainable model based on the principles of the circular economy. In addition, it promotes the implementation of accessible material recovery systems within dental clinics and laboratories, reducing operating costs and contributing to the reduction of hazardous waste. It is concluded that reused plaster represents an opportunity to innovate in clinical waste management, contributing both to environmental sustainability and to the diversification of industrial uses of the material, and laying the foundations for future regulations and applied research in the field of responsible design.