SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MAKING LAYERED DENTAL APPLIANCES FROM THE OUTSIDE IN

• US 20120175801A1
• Filed: 09/23/2010
• Published: 07/12/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Original Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Inventors: Jahns, Michael, Schechner, Gallus, Goetzinger, Martin, Hauptmann, Holger, Herrmann, Andreas, Sartory, Marco
• Granted Patent: US 9,039,947 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 264/19
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 13/0003 Making bridge-work, inlays, implants or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 13/081 Making teeth by casting or moulding
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 13/083 Porcelain or ceramic teeth A61C13/081 takes precedence; preparations A61K6/80
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 13/09 Composite teeth, e.g. front and back section A61C13/0835, A61C13/1023 take precedence; Multilayer teeth
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 2043/147 by compressing after the laying of further material
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 2043/148 using different moulds
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 43/146 for making multilayered articles
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 43/203 Making multilayered articles

Abstract

A system and method for making a layered dental appliance. The system can include a first portion comprising a negative of a first layer of a layered dental appliance, and a second portion comprising a positive shape of a second layer of the layered dental appliance. The method can include providing a mold comprising a negative of an outer shape of a layered dental appliance, and positioning a slurry in the mold, forming a first layer of the layered dental appliance. The method can further include providing a solid structure comprising a positive shape of a second layer of the layered dental appliance, and pressing the solid structure into the slurry in the mold.

Claims

1. A method for making a layered dental appliance, the method comprising:

providing a mold comprising a negative of an outer shape of a layered dental appliance;

positioning a slurry in the mold, forming a first layer of the layered dental appliance;

providing a solid structure comprising a positive shape of a second layer of the layered dental appliance, wherein the solid structure includes a stamp;

pressing the solid structure into the slurry in the mold; and

removing the stamp from the slurry to form a cavity comprising a negative of the second layer in the slurry.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising using the cavity as a mold for a second layer of the dental appliance.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the slurry is a first slurry, and further comprising positioning a second slurry in the cavity to form a second layer of the layered dental appliance.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising pressing a dental core into the second slurry, such that the core forms at least a portion of a third layer of the layered dental appliance.

8. The method of claim 6, further comprising:

providing a second solid structure comprising a positive shape of a third layer of the layered dental appliance; and

pressing the second solid structure into the second slurry.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the first layer forms the outermost layer of the layered dental appliance.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising activating the slurry prior to positioning the slurry in the mold.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising initiating a sol-gel reaction in the slurry prior to positioning the slurry in the mold.

16. The method of claim 1, further comprising using the cavity as a mold for a second layer of the dental appliance.

17. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

removing the layered dental appliance from the mold; and

firing the layered dental appliance,

wherein firing the first article includes firing the first article at a temperature of at least 500°

C.

18. The method of claim 8, wherein the second solid structure includes a second stamp, and further comprising removing the second stamp from the second slurry to form a second cavity comprising a negative of the third layer in the second slurry.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising positioning a third slurry in the second cavity to form a third layer of the dental appliance.

2-4. -4. (canceled)

12-15. -15. (canceled)

20. A system for making a layered dental appliance, the system comprising:

a first portion comprising a negative of a first layer of a layered dental appliance;

a second portion comprising a positive shape of a second layer of the layered dental appliance; and

a third portion comprising a positive shape of a third layer of the layered dental appliance.

21. The system of claim 20, wherein the second layer is positioned inwardly with respect to the first layer, and the third layer is positioned inwardly with respect to the second layer of the layered dental appliance.

22. The system of claim 20, wherein the second portion includes a first stamp, and wherein the third portion includes a second stamp.

23. The system of claim 20, wherein the second portion and the third portion have the same shape.

24. The system of claim 20, wherein the third portion is smaller than the second portion.

25. The system of claim 20, wherein the third portion has a different shape and size than the second portion.

26. The system of claim 20, wherein the second portion includes a stamp, and wherein the third portion includes a dental core that forms at least a portion of the third layer of the layered dental appliance.