Lithium disilicate glass-ceramics
DC CAFCFirst Claim
1. A method of making a lithium disilicate dental product comprising:
- melting a starting glass composition at temperatures within the range of about 1200 to about 1600°
C.;
forming the molten glass into shaped blanks;
annealing the glass blanks at temperatures in the range of 300°
to about 600°
C. for a time in the range of about 15 minutes to about 8 hours;
subjecting the glass blanks to one or more heat treatments in the temperature range of from about 400°
to about 1100°
C. to convert the glass blanks into glass-ceramic blanks.
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Litigations
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Accused Products
Abstract
This invention is directed to lithium disilicate (Li2Si2O5) based glass-ceramics comprising silica, lithium oxide, alumina, potassium oxide and phosphorus pentoxide. The glass-ceramics are useful in the fabrication of single and multi-unit dental restorations (e.g. anterior bridges) made by heat pressing into refractory investment molds produced using lost wax techniques. The glass-ceramics have good pressability, i.e., the ability to be formed into dental articles by heat-pressing using commercially available equipment. In accordance with one embodiment directed to the process of making the glass-ceramics, the compositions herein are melted at about 1200 ° to about 1600 ° C., thereafter cast into steel molds in the shape of cylindrical blanks (pellets), or alternately, cooled to the crystallization temperature. The resulting glass blank are heat-treated to form glass-ceramic blanks via a one or two step heat-treatment cycle preferably in the temperature range of about 400 ° to about 1100 ° C. The resulting glass-ceramic pressable pellets and/or blanks of desired shapes, sizes and structures are later pressed into dental restorations. Alternatively, instead of forming into pressable pellets or blanks, the pulverized powder is used to form a dental restoration using the refractory die technique or platinum foil technique.
228 Citations
41 Claims
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1. A method of making a lithium disilicate dental product comprising:
-
melting a starting glass composition at temperatures within the range of about 1200 to about 1600°
C.;
forming the molten glass into shaped blanks;
annealing the glass blanks at temperatures in the range of 300°
to about 600°
C. for a time in the range of about 15 minutes to about 8 hours;
subjecting the glass blanks to one or more heat treatments in the temperature range of from about 400°
to about 1100°
C. to convert the glass blanks into glass-ceramic blanks.- View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35)
pressing the blanks into the dental product.
-
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5. The method of claim 1 wherein crystallization of lithium disilicate is effected in the glass blanks afier annealing when subjected to one or more heat treatments in the temperature range of from about 400°
- to about 1100°
C.
- to about 1100°
-
6. The method of claim 1 wherein subjecting the glass blanks to one or more heat treatments in the temperature range of from about 400°
- to about 1100°
C. comprises a first nucleation step and a second crystal growth step.
- to about 1100°
-
7. The method of claim 6 wherein the first nucleation step comprises heating the glass blanks to a temperature in the range of about 450°
- to about 700°
C.
- to about 700°
-
8. The method of claim 6 wherein the second crystal growth step comprises heating the nucleated glass in the range of about 800°
- to about 1000°
C.
- to about 1000°
-
9. The method of claim 6 wherein the first nucleation step comprises heating the glass blanks to a temperature in the range of about 500°
- to about 650°
C.
- to about 650°
-
10. The method of claim 6 wherein the second crystal growth step comprises heating the nucleated glass in the range of about 830°
- to about 930°
C.
- to about 930°
-
11. The method of claim 6 wherein the first nucleation step comprises about a one hour soak at about 645°
- C. and wherein the second crystal growth step comprises about a four hour soak at about 850°
C.
- C. and wherein the second crystal growth step comprises about a four hour soak at about 850°
-
12. The method of claim 1 comprising machining the glass-ceramic blanks into the dental product.
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13. The method of claim 4 wherein the dental product is a dental core and is provided with one or more coatings.
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14. The method of claim 13 wherein the one or more coatings is selected from a ceramic, a sintered ceramic, a glass-ceramic, a porcelain, a glass, a glaze, a composite and mixtures thereof.
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15. The method of claim 13 wherein the one or more coatings has a firing temperature in the range of about 700°
- to about 900°
C. and a coefficient of thermal expansion (measured from room temperature to its transition temperature) of within about ±
2.0×
10−
6/°
C. of the dental product (measured at the same temperature range).
- to about 900°
-
16. The method of claim 4 wherein the dental product is selected from the group consisting of orthodontic appliances, bridges, space maintainers, tooth replacement appliances, splints, crowns, partial crowns, dentures, posts, teeth, jackets, inlays, onlays, facing, veneers, facets, implants, abutments, cylinders, and connectors.
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17. The method of claim 1 wherein the glass-ceramic comprises in weight percent:
-
about 62 to about 85% SiO2;
about 1.5 to about 10% Al2O3;
about 8 to about 19% Li2O;
about 2.5 to about 7% K2O; and
about 0.5 to about 12% P2O5.
-
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18. The method of claim 17 wherein the glass-ceramic further comprises in weight percent:
-
up to about 4.9% B2O3;
up to about 1.5% F;
up to about 5% ZnO;
up to about 7% CaO;
up to about 2% MgO;
up to about 7% BaO;
up to about 1% SrO;
up to about 5% Cs2O;
up to about 5% Na2O;
up to about 2% TiO2;
up to about 3% ZrO2;
up to about 1% SnO2;
up to about 1% Sb2O3;
up to about 3% Y2O3;
up to about 1% CeO2;
up to about 1% Eu2O3;
up to about 1% Tb2O7;
up to about 2% Nb2O5;
up to about 2% Ta2O5 ; and
wherein the molar ratio of (Na2O+K2O+CaO+SrO+BaO)/(A2O3+ZnO)≧
1.3.
-
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19. The method of claim 1 wherein the glass-ceramic comprises in weight percent:
-
about 64 to about 70% SiO2;
about 1.5 to about 6 Al2O3;
about 10 to about 15% Li2O;
about 2.5 to about 5% K2O; and
about 2 to about 7 % P2O5.
-
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20. The method of claim 19 wherein the glass-ceramic further comprises in weight percent:
-
up to about 1.5% F;
up to about 7% BaO;
up to about 1% SrO;
up to about 5% Cs2O;
up to about 2.7% B2O3;
up to about 2% ZnO;
up to about 0.9% CaO;
up to about 2% MgO;
up to about 3% Na2O;
up to about 2% TiO2;
up to about 3% ZrO2;
up to about 1% SnO2;
up to about 1% Sb2O3;
up to about 3% Y2O3;
up to about 1% CeO2;
up to about 1% Eu2O3;
up to about 1% Tb4O7;
up to about 2% Nb2O5; and
up to about 2% Ta2O5.
-
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21. The method of claim 1 wherein the glass-ceramic comprises in weight percent:
-
about 62 to about 85% SiO2;
about 5.1 to about 10 Al2O3;
about 8 to about 19% Li2O; and
about 0.5 to about 12 % P2O5.
-
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22. The method of claim 21 wherein the glass-ceramic further comprises in weight percent:
-
up to about 7% K2O;
up to about 1.5% F;
up to about 7% BaO;
up to about 1% SrO;
up to about 5% Cs2O;
up to about 4.9% B2O3;
up to about 5% ZnO;
up to about 7% CaO;
up to about 2% MgO;
up to about 5% Na2O;
up to about 2% TiO2;
up to about 3% ZrO2;
up to about 1% SnO2;
up to about 1% Sb2O3;
up to about 3% Y2O3;
up to about 1% CeO2;
up to about 1% Eu2O3;
up to about 1% Tb4O7;
up to about 2% Nb2O5; and
up to about 2% Ta2O5.
-
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23. The method of claim 1 wherein the glass-ceramic comprises in weight percent;
-
about 64 to about 70% SiO2;
about 5.2 to about 9 Al2O3;
about 10 to about 15% Li2O; and
about 2 to about 7 % P2O5.
-
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24. The method of claim 23 wherein the glass-ceramic further comprises in weight percent;
-
up to about 1.5% F;
up to about 7% BaO;
up to about 1% SrO;
up to about 5% Cs2O;
up to about 5% K2O;
up to about 2.7% B2O3;
up to about 2% ZnO;
up to about 0.9% CaO;
up to about 2% MgO;
up to about 3% Na2O;
up to about 2% TiO2;
up to about 3% ZrO2;
up to about 1% SnO2;
up to about 1% Sb2O3;
up to about 3% Y2O3;
up to about 1% CeO2;
up to about 1% Eu2O3;
up to about 1% Tb4O7;
up to about 2% Nb2O5; and
up to about 2% Ta2O5.
-
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25. The method of claim 1 wherein the glass-ceramic comprises in weight percent:
-
about 64 to about 70% SiO2;
about 1.5 to about 6 Al2O3;
about 10 to about 15% Li2O;
about 2 to about 7 % P2O5;
about 2.2 to about 5% K2O;
about 0.5 to about 3% Na2O; and
about 0.5 to about 3% B2O3.
-
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26. The method of claim 25 wherein the glass-ceramic further comprises in weight percent:
-
up to about 1.5% F;
up to about 7% BaO;
up to about 1% SrO;
up to about 5% Cs2O;
up to about 0.9% CaO;
up to about 2% TiO2;
up to about 3% ZrO2;
up to about 1% SnO2;
up to about 1% Sb2O3;
up to about 3% Y2O3;
up to about 1% CeO2;
up to about 1% Eu2O3;
up to about 1% Tb4O7;
up to about 2% Nb2O5; and
up to about 2% Ta2O5.
-
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27. The method of claim 1 wherein the glass-ceramic comprises in weight percent:
-
about 62 to about 76% SiO2;
about 1.5 to about 10 Al2O3;
about 8 to about 19% Li2O;
about 0.3 to about 7% P2O5; and
about 0.5 to about 8% Ta2O5.
-
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28. The method of claim 27 wherein the glass-ceramic further comprises in weight percent:
-
up to about 5% B2O3. up to about 5% Na2O;
up to about 7% K2O;
up to about 1.5% F;
up to about 5% ZnO;
up to about 2% MgO;
up to about 7% BaO;
up to about 1% SrO;
up to about 5% Cs2O;
up to about 7% CaO;
up to about 2% TiO2;
up to about 3% ZrO2;
up to about 1% SnO2;
up to about 1% Sb2O3;
up to about 3% Y2O3;
up to about 1% CeO2;
up to about 1% Eu2O3;
up to about 1% Tb4O7; and
up to about 2% Nb2O5.
-
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29. The method of claim 1 wherein the glass-ceramic comprises in weight percent:
-
about 68.8% SiO2;
about 1.3% B2O3;
about 4.8% Al2O3;
about 1.0% CaO;
about 2.8% BaO;
about 14.4% Li2O;
about 2.2% K2O;
about 1.5% Na2O; and
about 3.3% P2O5.
-
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30. The method of claim 1 wherein the glass-ceramic comprises in weight
about 67.2% SiO2; -
about 1.2% B2O3;
about 4.7% Al2O3;
about 1.0% CaO;
about 2.7% BaO;
about 14.1% Li2O;
about 2.2 % K2O;
about 1.4% Na2O;
about 3.2% P2O5;
about 0.4% CeO2; and
about 2% Ta2O5.
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31. The method of claim 1 further comprising:
-
batching the starting glass composition prior to melting; and
adding additives to the starting glass composition.
-
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32. The method of claim 1 wherein the additives comprise a color changing metal oxide.
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33. The method of claim 32 wherein the color changing metal oxide comprises CeO2, Tb4O7, MnO2, V2O5, NiO2, TiO2, or a mixture thereof.
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34. The method of claim 1 wherein the shaped blanks are formed by:
-
pouring the molten glass into molds to form the blanks; and
removing the glass blanks from the molds after the blanks have hardened.
-
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35. The method of claim 1 wherein the blanks are formed by:
-
drawing glass rods from the molten glass melt; and
sectioning the rods into the blanks.
-
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36. A dental product comprising a glass-ceramic consisting essentially of:
-
about 62 to about 85% SiO2;
about 1.5 to about 10% Al2O3;
about 8 to about 19% Li2O;
about 2.5 to about 7% K2O;
about 0.5 to about 12 % P2O5;
up to about 4.9% B2O3;
up to about 1.5% F;
up to about 5% ZnO;
up to about 7% CaO;
up to about 2% MgO;
up to about 7% BaO;
up to about 1% SrO;
up to about 5% Cs2O;
up to about 5% Na2O;
up to about 2% TiO2;
up to about 3% ZrO2;
up to about 1% SnO2;
up to about 1% Sb2O3;
up to about 3% Y2O3;
up to about 1% CeO2;
up to about 1% Eu2O3;
up to about 1% Tb2O7;
up to about 2% Nb2O5;
up to about 2% Ta2O5;
wherein the molar ratio of(Na2O+K2O+CaO+SrO+BaO)/(Al2O3+ZnO)≧
1.3; and
wherein the 3-point flexure strength is greater than about 370 MPa.
-
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37. A dental product comprising a glass-ceramic consisting essentially of:
-
about 64 to about 70% SiO2;
about 1.5 to about 6 Al2O3;
about 10 to about 15% Li2O;
about 2.5 to about 5% K2O;
about 2 to about 7 % P2O5;
up to about 1.5% F;
up to about 7% BaO;
up to about 1% SrO;
up to about 5% Cs2O;
up to about 2.7% B2O3;
up to about 2% ZnO;
up to about 0.9% CaO;
up to about 2% MgO;
up to about 3% Na2O;
up to about 2% TiO2;
up to about 3% ZrO2;
up to about 1% SnO2;
up to about 1% Sb2O3;
up to about 3% Y2O3;
up to about 1% CeO2;
up to about 1% Eu2O3;
up to about 1% Tb4O7;
up to about 2% Nb2O5; and
up to about 2% Ta2O5; and
wherein the 3-point flexure strength is greater than about 370 MPa.
-
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38. A dental product comprising a glass-ceramic consisting essentially of:
-
about 62 to about 85% SiO2;
about 5.1 to about 10Al2O3;
about 8 to about 19% Li2O;
about 0.5 to about 12 % P2O5. up to about 7% K2O;
up to about 1.5% F;
up to about 7% BaO;
up to about 1% SrO;
up to about 5% Cs2O;
up to about 4.9% B2O3;
up to about 5% ZnO;
up to about 7% CaO;
up to about 2% MgO;
up to about 5% Na2O;
up to about 2% TiO2;
up to about 3% ZrO2;
up to about 1% SnO2;
up to about 1% Sb2O3;
up to about 3% Y2O3;
up to about 1% CeO2;
up to about 1% Eu2O3;
up to about 1% Tb4O7;
up to about 2% Nb2O5; and
up to about 2% Ta2O5; and
wherein the 3-point flexure strength is greater than about 370 MPa.
-
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39. A dental product comprising a glass-ceramic consisting essentially of:
-
about 64 to about 70% SiO2;
about 5.2 to about 9 Al2O3;
about 10 to about 15% Li2O;
about 2 to about 7 % P2O5;
up to about 1.5% F;
up to about 7% BaO;
up to about 1% SrO;
up to about 5% Cs2O;
up to about 5% K2O;
up to about 2.7% B2O3;
up to about 2% ZnO;
up to about 0.9% CaO;
up to about 2% MgO;
up to about 3% Na2O;
up to about 2% TiO2;
up to about 3% ZrO2;
up to about 1% SnO2;
up to about 1% Sb2O3;
up to about 3% Y2O3;
up to about 1% CeO2;
up to about 1% Eu2O3;
up to about 1% Tb4O7;
up to about 2% Nb2O5; and
up to about 2% Ta2O5; and
wherein the 3-point flexure strength is greater than about 370 MPa.
-
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40. A dental product comprising a glass-ceramic consisting essentially of:
-
about 64 to about 70% SiO2;
about 1.5 to about 6 Al2O3;
about 10 to about 15% Li2O;
about 2 to about 7 % P2O5;
about 2.2 to about 5% K2O;
about 0.5 to about 3% Na2O;
about 0.5 to about 3% B2O3;
up to about 1.5% F;
up to about 7% BaO;
up to about 1% SrO;
up to about 5% Cs2O;
up to about 0.9% CaO;
up to about 2% TiO2;
up to about 3% ZrO2;
up to about 1% SnO2;
up to about 1% Sb2O3;
up to about 3% Y2O3;
up to about 1% CeO2;
up to about 1% Eu2O3;
up to about 1% Tb4O7, up to about 2% Nb2O5; and
up to about 2% Ta2O5; and
wherein the 3-point flexure strength is greater than about 370 MPa.
-
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41. A dental product comprising a glass-ceramic consisting of:
-
about 62 to about 76% SiO2;
about 1.5 to about 10 Al2O3;
about 8 to about 19% Li2O;
about .3 to about 7% P2O5;
about .5 to about 8% Ta2O5 ;
up to about 5% B2O3. up to about 5% Na2O;
up to about 7% K2O;
up to about 1.5% F;
up to about 5% ZnO;
up to about 2% MgO;
up to about 7% BaO;
up to about 1% SrO;
up to about 5% Cs2O;
up to about 7% CaO;
up to about 2% TiQ2;
up to about 3% ZrO2;
up to about 1% SnO2;
up to about 1% Sb2O3;
up to about 3% Y2O3;
up to about 1% CeO2;
up to about 1% Eu2O3;
up to about 1% Tb4O7; and
up to about 2% Nb2O5; and
wherein the 3-point flexure strength is greater than about 370 MPa.
-
Specification