Method and System for Coloring or Tinting a Prosthesis, and Such a Prosthesis

• US 20080193899A1
• Filed: 09/23/2005
• Published: 08/14/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nobel Biocare Services AG (Envista Holdings Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Nobel Biocare Services AG (Envista Holdings Corporation)
• Inventors: Karlsson, Per-Olof, Nilsson, Urban
• Granted Patent: US 10,022,206 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 433/203.1
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 13/0003 Making bridge-work, inlays, implants or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 13/0019 using three dimensional printing
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 13/082 Cosmetic aspects, e.g. inlays; Determination of the colour A61C19/10 takes precedence

Abstract

A method, system and dental prosthesis are provided to facilitate simulation of the natural appearance of teeth. The prosthesis can be formed to include a component to which an aesthetic coating, such as a coloring or tint, can be applied. Further, the prosthesis can include a porcelain coating disposed on the outer surface thereof, and on top of the aesthetic coating, such that the aesthetic coating can be visible through the porcelain coating of the prosthesis. During production, the crown can be coated with a metal and/or ceramic powder by means of a powder printer that can be controlled by computer equipment. A practical and rapid application function can be obtained to produce an extremely natural-looking result.

Claims

1-14. -14. (canceled)

15. A method for producing a porcelain coated dental prosthesis, the method comprising:

with a printer that is controlled by a computer, applying a powder to a component of the prosthesis to provide an aesthetic coating comprising at least one of a coloring or tint that is visible from outside the prosethesis.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein the powder comprises at least one of a metal powder and a ceramic powder.

17. The method of claim 15, further comprising:

milling out an inner shape of the component; and

applying the component to a die to expose a surface thereof for facilitating application of the aesthetic coating.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising:

drying the powder of the aesthetic coating;

applying wax to the surface of the component to profile the prosthesis;

removing the wax from the component with heat to create a space on the powder-coated surface thereof; and

applying porcelain material to the space created on the surface of the component.

19. The method of claim 17, further comprising hardening the powder of the aesthetic coating.

20. The method of claim 15, further comprising simulating production of the dental prosthesis is a computer.

21. The method of claim 15, wherein the step of applying an aesthetic coating to a component of the prosthesis includes building up the aesthetic coating with a plurality of layers.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the plurality of layers are formed by means of spraying of the powder.

23. The method of claim 15, wherein overall coloring is effected by a combination of coloring and tinting constellations applied by at least one of on top of one another and after one another.

24. The method of claim 15, wherein the application of the aesthetic coating is based on at least one of a thickness of the porcelain coating and positioning of the porcelain coating relative to an surface of the prosthesis.

25. The method of claim 15, wherein at least one of the coloring and the tint is determined utilizing a plurality of base colors.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein between five and fifteen base colors are used.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein one of nine and ten base colors are used.

28. The method of claim 15, wherein at least one of the coloring and the tint to the component is determined based on reflections produced in the porcelain coating.

29. A dental prosthesis comprising:

a component having an exterior surface;

a porcelain coating being disposed over the exterior surface of the component; and

an aesthetic coating comprising at least one of a coloring and a tint and being in the form of a dried powder.

30. The dental prosthesis of claim 29, wherein the aesthetic coating comprises a plurality of layers of the powder being placed on top of one another.

31. The dental prosthesis of claim 29, wherein at least one of the coloring and the tint is chosen as a function of coloring of adjoining teeth.

32. The dental prosthesis of claim 29, wherein the dried powder comprises a metal or ceramic powder.

33-1. The system of claim 33, further comprising a production unit, the information being transmittable to the production unit by the computer equipment.