Hardenable dental article and method of manufacturing the same

Abstract

Methods of manufacturing hardenable dental articles, packaged hardenable dental articles, and methods of packaging hardenable dental articles are disclosed. In various embodiments, the manufacturing may involve molding a hardenable dental material in a mold cavity that may be lined with a mold liner. The mold body may also form the package of the hardenable dental article formed within the mold cavity. In other embodiments, the hardenable dental articles may be provided in mold cavities located in sacrificial mold bodies that may be torn, stretched, softened, dissolved, etc. to release the hardenable dental articles in the mold cavities.

Description

BACKGROUND [0001] Restorative dentistry is an important market in today's dental industry. In particular, tooth repair with temporary and permanent crowns is a common procedure, typically requiring multiple dental appointments. Conventional technologies use liners, adhesives, pastes, two-part powder / liquid systems, preformed metal temporary crowns, and ceramic or porcelain / metal permanent crowns. [0002] Among the problems associated with the conventional technologies are the need for multiple visits to a dentist if a customized dental article is desired. Conversely, if customization is not desired, the dental article used may have a less than desirable fit and / or appearance, e.g., a metallic finish, larger gaps between proximal teeth, significant color variations from natural teeth, etc. [0003] Hardenable dental materials have been developed to address some of these issues. Examples of some of these materials are described in, e.g., International Publication No. WO 03 / 015720 (Karim ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0010] If the mold liner is retained on the outer surfaces of the hardenable dental article, various advantages may potentially be obtained. If, for example, the dental article is a crown and the hardenable dental material is a photocurable material, the mold liner may function as an actinic light barrier to retar

Problems solved by technology

Among the problems associated with the conventional technologies are the need for multiple visits to a dentist if a customized dental article is desired.

Conversely, if customization is not desired, the dental article used may have a less than desirable fit and/or appearance, e.g., a metallic finish, larger gaps between proximal teeth, significant color variations from natural teeth, etc.

Although these materials may address the issues identified with respect to conventional technologies, they raise issues of their own with respect to the manufacturing, handling, and packaging of dental articles constructed of such materials.

Many of these hardenable dental materials may exhibit significant levels of adhesion during manufacturing.

As a result, shaping and handling of the hardenable dental materials into dental articles as

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