Dental veneers and methods of manufacture

Abstract

A dental veneer made from a composite comprising at least one organic binder, preferably with methacrylate, and inorganic solid particles as fillers. Methods for manufacturing the dental veneer include curing the composite with heat and light under pressure followed by laser treating the facial surface of the veneer to form a smoother facial surface. Filler particles at the facial surface of the veneer can be melted and / or coalesced together to form a continuous glass surface, which is more natural looking and better resembles natural tooth material as compared to ceramic veneers or other composited veneers lacking surface treatment.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION[0001]This application is a continuation-in-part of International Patent Application No. PCT / AT2011 / 000285, filed Jun. 29, 2011, entitled “TOOTH FRONT VENEER,” which claims the benefit of Austria Patent Application No. A 1124 / 2010, filed Jul. 2, 2010. The disclosure of the foregoing applications are incorporated herein in their entirety.BACKGROUND[0002]1. Field of Invention[0003]The present invention relates to dental veneers and methods of manufacturing dental veneers.[0004]2. Technology Review[0005]Dental veneers are known in the art and are frequently simply called “veneers”. They usually represent cup-shaped solid bodies, which are placed as faces upon perhaps previously ground teeth and / or tooth stumps, in order to provide a discolored tooth with the desired look. Here, they generally replace the natural front of the respective tooth.[0006]Dental veneers are typically custom-made for a particle from a ceramic. First the required geometry of...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent describes dental veneers that can be used to improve the appearance of discolored teeth. These veneers are made from composite materials that have the same hardness as natural teeth, are adjustable in size, and can be customized to match the patient's natural teeth. The veneers can be laser-treated to have a smoother and more glossy finish, and they are less hard and brittle compared to ceramic veneers, making them easier to adjust and more comfortable for the patient. The dental veneers can be produced on-site by dentists using a molding process, which can increase their strength, durability, and glossiness. Overall, the dental veneers described in this patent offer a better alternative to ceramic veneers and can provide a more natural appearance.

Problems solved by technology

In the event the dental veneer was not produced with sufficient diligence, a new dental veneer must be produced, because an adjustment to the conditions in the mouth of the patient by the dentist is not possible on site.

Additionally, this leads to the need of lab work with a considerable expense of time and money.

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