METHODS OF MAKING AND USING DENTAL ARTICLES FOR TOOTH IMPLANTS AND PREFORMED DENTAL ARTICLES

• US 20110287382A1
• Filed: 02/03/2010
• Published: 11/24/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 02/12/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Original Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Inventors: Johnson, Ryan E., Dawson, Roger K., Karim, Naimul
• Application Number:
  US13/141,351
• Publication Number:
  US 20110287382A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 433/173
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 13/0001 In-situ dentures; Trial or temporary dentures
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 5/70 Tooth crowns; Making thereof
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 8/0048 Connecting the upper structure to the implant, e.g. bridging bars A61C8/0028 takes precedence

Abstract

Methods of affixing a dental article to a tooth implant are described and preformed dental articles (e.g. suitable for tooth implants) including kits. In some embodiments, the dental article lacks supragingival exterior surfaces and may be characterized as a healing cap. In other embodiments, the dental article comprises supragingival exterior surfaces and may be characterized as a (e.g. temporary or provisional) crown.

Claims

1. A method of affixing a dental article to a tooth implant comprising:

providing a preformed dental article comprised of a sufficiently malleable material such that the preformed dental article can be customized in shape;

shaping at least a portion of the dental article that contacts gingival tissue or internal tissue beneath the gingival tissue;

affixing the dental article to a tooth implant abutment or anchor such that the dental article contacts the gingival tissue and internal tissue; and

hardening the dental article.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the dental article is affixed after extraction of a tooth and prior to healing of the gingival and internal tissue.

3-19. -19. (canceled)

20. A preformed dental article comprising substantially tooth-shaped gingival and subgingival exterior surfaces;

wherein the dental article is sufficiently malleable such that it can be customized in shape and hardened and the dental article comprises a convex gingival exterior surface.

22. The preformed dental article of claim 20 wherein the dental article comprises a convex subgingival exterior surface.

23. The preformed dental article of claim 20 wherein the dental article comprises a cavity.

24. The preformed dental article of claim 20 wherein the dental article lacks tooth-shaped supragingival exterior surfaces.

25. The preformed dental article of claim 23 wherein the dental article comprises tooth-shaped supragingival exterior surfaces and is selected from the group consisting of

a) a molar having a cavity volume of less than 45% of the total volume of the dental article and the cavity;

b) a premolar having a cavity volume of less than 36% of the total volume of the dental article and the cavity; and

c) an anterior crown having a cavity volume of less than 42% of the total volume of the dental article and the cavity.

26. The preformed dental article of claim 23 wherein the dental article has a thickness between the cavity and apical gingival exterior surface of at least 1 mm.

27. The preformed dental article of claim 26 wherein the dental article comprises tooth-shaped supragingival exterior surface and is selected from the group consisting of

a) a premolar wherein the thickness is at least 1.50 mm;

and

b) a molar wherein the thickness is at least 3 mm.

34. The preformed dental article of claim 20 wherein the dental article has sufficient malleability to be formed in shape at a temperature of about 15°

C. to 38°

C.

35. The preformed dental article of claim 20 wherein the dental article comprises greater than 70 wt-% filler.

36. The preformed dental article of claim 20 wherein the dental article has a flexural strength of at least about 25 MPa after hardening.

37. The preformed dental article of claim 20 wherein the dental article comprises a crystalline resin component.

38. A kit comprising a plurality of preformed implant dental articles according to claim 20 wherein the implant dental articles correspond in size and shape to natural teeth selected from the group consisting of maxillary and mandibular central incisors, lateral incisors, canines, premolars, and molar teeth.

41. The preformed dental article of claim 20 wherein the dental article further comprises an abutment.

42. The preformed dental article of claim 41 wherein the abutment is made from a material selected from metal, plastic materials including plastics that further comprise an inorganic filler;

and ceramic materials.

43. The preformed dental article of claim 41 wherein the dental article comprises a cylindrical or conical shaped cavity to provide access for attaching the dental abutment to an implant anchor with a screw.

44. The preformed dental article of claim 20 wherein the dental article consists solely of the sufficiently malleable material.

45. The preformed dental article of claim 20 wherein the dental article consists of an external portion that comprises the sufficiently malleable material and a different interior material.

21. (canceled)

28. A preformed dental article comprising substantially tooth-shaped gingival and subgingival exterior surfaces and lacking tooth-shaped supragingival exterior surfaces;

wherein the dental article is sufficiently malleable such that it can be customized in shape and hardened.

29. (canceled)

30. A preformed dental article comprising a cavity wherein the dental article is sufficiently malleable such that it can be customized in shape and hardened, the preformed dental article has a thickness between the cavity and apical gingival exterior surface of at least 1 mm, and the dental article comprises tooth-shaped supragingival exterior surface and is selected from the group consisting of

a) a premolar wherein the thickness is at least 1.50 mm;

and

b) a molar wherein the thickness is at least 3 mm.

32. The preformed dental article of claim 30 wherein the preformed dental article comprises substantially tooth-shaped subgingival exterior surfaces.

33. The preformed dental article of claim 30 wherein the preformed dental article comprises substantially tooth-shaped gingival exterior surfaces.

31. (canceled)

39-40. -40. (canceled)