Method of manufacturing a dental restoration

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a dental restoration, the method comprising: a construction step (S2), i.e. preparing construction data of a dental machine tool for processing a dental restoration from a workpiece by a construction device, wherein the construction data at least defines the geometric shape of the dental restoration in the workpiece; and a starting step (S3), i.e. starting to process the dental restoration from the workpiece according to the construction data; characterized in that it further comprises: a preparation step (S4), i.e. starting to prepare the dental machine tool before the construction step (S2) is terminated, at least by equipping it with all consumables necessary for starting the starting step (S3), and completing the preparation of the dental machine tool before the starting step (S3) starts.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a dental manufacturing system for manufacturing a dental restoration. In particular, the present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a dental restoration. Background Art

[0002] In the prior art, a dental restoration is usually manufactured by using a dental manufacturing system, which includes an intraoral scanner for scanning a patient intraorally, a dental machine tool for machining the dental restoration from a workpiece, and CAD / CAM software running on a PC connected to the intraoral scanner and the dental machine tool. The CAD / CAM software prepares construction data of a dental machine tool for machining the dental restoration from a workpiece using scan data generated by the intraoral scanner. The construction data defines the geometry of the dental restoration in the workpiece.

[0003] Figure 1a The figure shows the workflow of manufacturing dental restorations according to the prior art. Figure 1a As shown in , the workflow includes a scanning step (S1'), in which an intraoral scan of the patient is performed by using an intraoral scanner connected to a PC. The workflow further includes a construction step (S2'), in which construction data of a dental tool machine for machining a dental restoration from a workpiece is prepared by CAD / CAM software in the PC. With the aforementioned steps, the design of the dental restoration and its position in the workpiece are completely determined for machining. Thereafter, as Figure 1a As shown in the workflow of , in a start step (S3'), the processing of the dental restoration from the workpiece is started by the PC according to the construction data. Thereafter, in a preparation step (S4'), the operator is prompted by the PC to equip the dental tool machine with necessary consumables, such as one or more dental tools for milling and grinding, the workpiece and a cooling lubricant which is usually provided in a replaceable tank. If necessary, during the preparation step (S4'), the operator replaces the dental tool with a new dental tool and the user replaces the tank with a tank storing fresh lubricant. Figure 1a As shown in , during the preparation step (S4'), the dental machine tool measures the workpiece and the dental tool by touch operation for calibration. After calibration, the dental restoration is processed, i.e. milled and ground, until the processing is completed. During processing, cooling lubricant is sprayed onto the workpiece and the dental tool in a closed circulation loop.

[0004] All of the above steps can be performed in the dentist's practice during the patient's presence. Therefore, the total time taken to manufacture a dental restoration is a critical factor. Long waiting periods are uncomfortable for the patient and increase manufacturing costs.

[0005] In addition to key factors such as production time & cost, the quality of the dental restoration is also crucial. The workpieces and dental tools available on the market vary in size, shape and material. In the preparation step (S4'), the operator must equip the dental tool machine with the correct workpiece, the appropriate dental tool and the correct cooling lubricant. If the cooling lubricant has an insufficient remaining service life, or if the dental tool is not specifically matched to the specific requirements of the processing, there is a risk that the dental restoration cannot be processed with the desired quality. In the worst case, if the dental tool has been previously used in a previous processing process, the dental tool may exceed its total service life or its remaining service life. In this case, the dental tool will break and the dental restoration will be damaged. In less serious cases, the processing of the dental restoration is completed with unacceptably low quality due to the use of inappropriate dental tools or insufficient lubrication. In all these cases, user satisfaction may be reduced and the user may complain about the quality. Summary of the invention

[0006] The object of the present invention is to overcome as many of the problems of the prior art as possible and to provide a method for manufacturing a dental restoration which reduces production time and production costs.

[0007] Another object of the present invention is to provide a method of manufacturing a dental restoration which is safer, more user-friendly and which prevents or reduces the risk that the produced dental restoration is unusable or of unacceptably low quality.

[0008] These objects are achieved by a method for producing a dental restoration as defined in claim 1 and by a dental production system as defined in claim 15. The subject matter of the other claims relates to further developments.

[0009] The method for manufacturing a dental restoration of the present invention comprises: a construction step, i.e., preparing construction data of a dental machine tool for machining a dental restoration from a workpiece by a construction device, wherein the construction data at least defines the geometric shape of the dental restoration in the workpiece; a starting step, i.e., starting machining of the dental restoration from the workpiece according to the construction data; and a preparation step, i.e., terminating the construction step. Before , starting to prepare the dental tool, at least by equipping it with all the consumables necessary for starting the starting step, and starting in the starting step Before Complete the preparation of the dental machine tool.

[0010] The main advantageous effect of the present invention is that the construction of the dental restoration and the provision of the dental machine tool can be parallelized and coordinated, for example, by means of a PC with CAD / CAM software. Thus, production time and production costs can be effectively reduced. Another main advantageous effect of the present invention is that it can be ensured that when starting processing with the dental machine tool, all operating conditions are met in advance, so as to ensure the immediate start of processing without any operator interruption. Thus, the manufacture of the dental restoration can proceed in a seamless manner.

[0011] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the necessary consumables may include at least one of a dental tool, a workpiece, and a cooling lubricant disposed in a tank. In the case of dry machining, a cooling lubricant is not necessary. The dental machine tool may have one or more bracket units, each of which is used to drive one or more dental tools to enable parallel machining. The dental tool can be mounted to a dental tool motor in the bracket unit. The workpiece or preferably a multi-workpiece fixture can be attached to a movable shaft in the dental machine tool. The tank storing the cooling lubricant is preferably replaceably attachable to a cooling lubricant circulation unit of the dental machine tool.

[0012] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the dental manufacturing system preferably has a scanning device, such as an intraoral scanner preferably connected to a PC with CAD / CAM software. In the scanning step, the patient is scanned intraorally by the scanning device for generating scan data, which can be used to determine the dental restoration to be constructed in the construction step. The construction device is also preferably configured by a PC with CAD / CAM software that utilizes the scan data. Alternatively, the patient's dental impression or the like can be scanned extraorally with an extraoral scanner.

[0013] According to an embodiment of the invention, the preparation step preferably starts before the construction step starts. Thus, unlike the prior art, the construction of the dental restoration and the equipment of the dental machine can be parallelized to ensure a ready state long before the processing starts.

[0014] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the preparation step may even be started before the scanning step is started, or may be started simultaneously with the scanning step being started, or may be started before the scanning step is terminated.

[0015] According to an embodiment of the invention, the dental tool machine has a communication device for bidirectional communication with a PC in order to obtain information about all necessary consumables in the preparation step. Alternatively, the information can be manually input into the dental tool machine by the operator via a user interface of the dental tool machine or another input device. The input device can be a USB port or the like. The user interface preferably has a display. The display is preferably touch-sensitive.

[0016] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the dental tool machine is preferably provided with an automatic configuration device, which can obtain information about all necessary consumables. In the preparation step, based on the information about all necessary consumables obtained, the dental tool machine is automatically configured with one or more necessary consumables by the automatic configuration device.

[0017] According to an alternative embodiment of the present invention, preferably, in the preparation step, the operator manually equips the dental machine tool with one or more necessary consumables according to the acquired information about all necessary consumables. When equipping the dental machine tool, the dental machine tool preferably provides guidance to the operator through a user interface.

[0018] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the dental machine tool preferably has an identification device for determining in a preparation step whether the dental machine tool is correctly equipped with necessary consumables and ready for use based on the acquired information about necessary consumables.

[0019] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the dental tools used in the manufacturing method of the present invention are preferably respectively provided with miniaturized RFID tags. The miniaturized RFID tags are preferably of read-only type. The miniaturized RFID tags preferably have miniaturized hollow coils. The miniaturized RFID tags store dental tool-specific information specifically related to the dental tools. The dental tool-specific information includes at least a unique ID, such as a universally unique identifier (UUID) for clearly identifying the dental tools. The dental tool-specific information preferably further includes information about at least one of the type, manufacturer, batch number, length, and concentricity of the dental tools. The identification device of the dental tool machine preferably has a transceiver unit for reading and / or writing the miniaturized RFID tags.

[0020] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a tank for storing a cooling lubricant used in the manufacturing method of the present invention is preferably provided with an RFID tag. The RFID tag is preferably of a read-only type. The RFID tag preferably has an air-core coil. The RFID tag stores cooling lubricant-specific information specifically related to the cooling lubricant. The cooling lubricant-specific information includes at least a unique ID, such as a universally unique identifier (UUID) for unambiguously identifying the cooling lubricant. The cooling lubricant-specific information preferably further includes information about at least one of the type and manufacturer of the cooling lubricant. The identification device of the dental machine tool preferably has a transceiver unit for reading and / or writing the RFID tag of the tank.

[0021] According to an alternative embodiment of the invention, an optically readable medium may be used instead of an RFID tag or a miniaturized RFID tag.Thus, the identification device may be provided with an optical reader for reading the optical medium.

[0022] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the dental manufacturing system preferably includes a determining device for determining the remaining service life or usage time of one or more necessary consumables used in workpiece processing in the determining step. The determining device is preferably configured to monitor the operation of the dental machine tool through a PC with CAD / CAM software.

[0023] According to alternative embodiments, the miniaturized RFID tag of the dental tool and / or the RFID tag of the tank are each preferably of the read & write type. In these alternative embodiments, the dental tool-specific information preferably further comprises the remaining service life of the dental tool or alternatively the usage time of the dental tool, which can be determined by a determination device of the dental tool machine and can be written into the miniaturized RFID tag on the dental tool by the transceiver unit. In this alternative embodiment, the cooling lubricant-specific information preferably further comprises the remaining service life of the cooling lubricant or alternatively the usage time of the cooling lubricant, which can be determined by a determination device of the dental tool machine and can be written into the corresponding RFID tag on the tank by the transceiver unit.

[0024] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the workpieces used in the manufacturing method of the present invention are preferably provided with QR codes respectively. Barcodes or other optically readable media may be used instead. The QR code stores workpiece-specific information specifically related to the workpiece. The workpiece-specific information includes at least a unique ID, such as a universally unique identifier (UUID) for unambiguously identifying the workpiece. The workpiece-specific information preferably further includes at least information about the type, manufacturer, material, size, shrinkage, and color of the workpiece. The identification device of the dental machine tool preferably has an optical unit, such as a camera for reading QR codes, etc.

[0025] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the dental tool machine is preferably provided with a communication device for transmitting information to and / or receiving information from a data storage unit, the data storage unit being used to store at least the above-mentioned dental tool-specific information of one or more different dental tools and / or lubricant-specific information of one or more different cooling lubricants in a tank, and / or workpiece-specific information of one or more different workpieces. The data storage unit may be inside the dental tool machine, or outside the dental tool machine, for example in a PC or in the cloud, and accessible via a network, the Internet, etc.

[0026] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the dental machine tool preferably has a measuring device. In a preparation step, the dental machine tool measures by means of the measuring device the necessary consumables it has been equipped with and / or whether it is calibrated. For example, the calibration can be measured by various touch operations, by using a sensor in which the workpiece is touched with the dental tool. The filling level of the cooling lubricant can be measured with a corresponding sensor.

[0027] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the dental machine tool preferably has a testing device. In a preparation step, the dental machine tool tests by means of the testing device whether one or more aggregates necessary for starting the start step are functioning properly and ready for use. Such aggregates include, for example, cooling lubricant circulation units and the like.

[0028] The present invention also provides a computer program comprising computer executable code for causing a computer-based dental manufacturing system to perform the method steps of the present invention. The present invention also provides a computer readable data storage device storing the computer program.

[0029] The present invention also provides a computer-based dental manufacturing system having the above functional units / components for manufacturing dental restorations. The computer-based dental manufacturing system performs the method steps of the present invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] In the following description, further aspects and advantageous effects of the present invention will be described in more detail by using exemplary embodiments and referring to the accompanying drawings, wherein

[0031] Figure 1a - is the workflow for manufacturing dental restorations according to existing technologies;

[0032] Figure 1b - is a workflow for manufacturing a dental restoration according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0033] The dental manufacturing system (not shown) of the present invention comprises a dental machine tool for machining a dental restoration from a workpiece, a scanning device such as an intraoral scanner, and a PC with CAD / CAM software. Other functional devices, components or units of the dental manufacturing system will be explained later. The dental manufacturing system is operated according to the dental restoration manufacturing method of the present invention.

[0034] Figure 1b A method for manufacturing a dental restoration according to an embodiment of the present invention is partially illustrated. The method comprises: a scanning step (S1), i.e., scanning a patient intraorally by means of a scanning device to generate scanning data for determining a dental restoration to be constructed; a construction step (S2), i.e., preparing construction data of a dental tool machine for machining the dental restoration from a workpiece by means of a construction device (i.e., a PC), wherein the construction data at least defines the geometric shape of the dental restoration in the workpiece; a starting step (S3), i.e., starting machining the dental restoration from the workpiece according to the construction data; and a preparation step (S4), i.e., terminating the construction step (S2). Before , start preparing the dental tool, at least by equipping it with all the consumables necessary for starting the starting step (S3), and start in the starting step (S3) Before Complete the preparation of the dental machine tool.

[0035] The necessary consumables include at least a dental tool, a workpiece and a cooling lubricant arranged in a tank. The dental tool can be inserted into a dental tool motor in a support unit of a dental tool machine. The workpiece or multi-workpiece fixture can be inserted into the shaft of the dental tool machine. The tank can be replaceably mounted to a cooling lubricant circulation unit of the dental tool machine.

[0036] In an embodiment, the preparation step (S4) starts before the construction step (S2) starts. In other alternative embodiments, the preparation step (S4) starts before the scanning step (S1) starts, or starts at the same time as the scanning step (S1) starts, or starts before the scanning step (S1) ends.

[0037] In an embodiment, the dental machine tool has an automatic provisioning device. In a preparation step ( S4 ), the dental machine tool is automatically provided with one or more necessary consumables by the automatic provisioning device.

[0038] In an alternative embodiment, in the preparation step ( S4 ), the dental machine tool is manually equipped with one or more necessary consumables by an operator under the guidance of a user interface of the dental machine tool.

[0039] In an embodiment, the dental tool machine has a communication device. The dental tool machine acquires information about all necessary consumables by communicating with another device (preferably a PC) via the communication device in a preparation step (S4). Alternatively, in the preparation step (S4), the information about all necessary consumables is manually input by an operator through a user interface of the dental tool machine or another input device. The input device may be a USB port or the like.

[0040] In an embodiment, the dental tool has an identification device. The identification device includes a device for reading & writing (hereinafter, Figure 1b The dental tool machine comprises a transceiver unit for a miniaturized RFID tag of a dental tool (also referred to as "scanning"), another transceiver unit for reading & writing an RFID tag of a tank storing a cooling lubricant, and a camera for reading a QR code on a workpiece. In the preparation step (S4), the dental tool machine determines whether the dental tool machine is correctly equipped with necessary consumables and is ready for use based on the information obtained about all necessary consumables by the identification device.

[0041] In an alternative embodiment, an optically readable medium may be used instead of an RFID tag or a miniaturized RFID tag. Thus, the identification device may be equipped with an optical reader, camera, etc. for reading the medium.

[0042] In an embodiment, the dental manufacturing system has a determining device for determining the remaining service life or usage time of one or more necessary consumables used in workpiece processing. In the determining step, the remaining service life or usage time of one or more necessary consumables used in workpiece processing is determined by the determining device. The remaining service life or usage time of the dental tool can be written into a miniaturized RFID tag of the dental tool, or written into a separate data storage unit for retrieval. Similarly, the remaining service life or usage time of the cooling lubricant of the tank can be written into the RFID tag of the tank, or written into a separate data storage unit for retrieval. The data storage unit is preferably in a PC or in a dental tool machine or in an external location, such as in a medical practice in the cloud, etc.

[0043] In an embodiment, the dental machine tool has a measuring device for measuring the necessary consumables it has been equipped with and / or whether it is calibrated. In a preparation step (S4), the dental machine tool measures the necessary consumables it has been equipped with and / or whether it is calibrated by means of the measuring device. The measuring device has one or more touch sensors. The measurement of the dental tool, the workpiece and the calibration is performed by touching the workpiece with the dental tool in various ways. The measuring device has a filling level sensor for measuring the filling level of the cooling lubricant in the tank.

[0044] In an embodiment, the dental machine tool has a testing device. In a preparation step (S4), the dental machine tool is tested by the testing device to see whether one or more aggregates necessary for starting the starting step (S3) are present, functioning properly and ready for use. For example, workpieces, multi-workpiece holders, movable axes of the multi-workpiece holders, dental tool motors, support units, cooling lubricant circulation units, etc. are all tested.

Claims

1. A method for manufacturing a dental restoration, the method comprising: a construction step (S2), i.e. preparing construction data of a dental machine tool for machining a dental restoration from a workpiece by means of a construction device, wherein the construction data at least defines a geometric shape of the dental restoration in the workpiece; and A starting step (S3) of starting to machine the dental restoration from the workpiece according to the construction data; It is characterized by further comprising: A preparation step (S4), i.e., before the construction step (S2) is terminated, begins to prepare the dental machine tool, at least by equipping it with all consumables necessary for starting the starting step (S3) and completing the preparation of the dental machine tool before the starting step (S3) begins, wherein the consumables are dental tools, workpieces and cooling lubricant arranged in a tank.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that: The preparation step (S4) begins before the construction step (S2) begins.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that In the preparation step ( S4 ), the dental machine tool is automatically equipped with one or more necessary consumables by an automatic equipment device.

4. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that In a preparation step ( S4 ), the dental tool is manually equipped with one or more necessary consumables by an operator under the guidance of a user interface of the dental tool.

5. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that In a preparation step ( S4 ), the dental machine tool acquires information about all necessary consumables by communicating with another device via a communication device or by manual input by an operator via a user interface of the dental machine tool or another input device.

6. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that In the preparation step ( S4 ), the dental tool determines, based on the acquired information, by means of an identification device whether the dental tool is correctly equipped with necessary consumables and is ready for use.

7. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that In a preparation step ( S4 ), the dental machine tool measures by means of a measuring device whether the necessary consumables it is equipped with and / or whether it is calibrated.

8. The method according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that: In a preparation step ( S4 ), the dental machine tool is tested by means of a testing device to determine whether one or more aggregates necessary for starting the start step ( S3 ) are functioning properly and are ready for use.

9. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The method further includes the step of determining, by a determining device, the remaining service life or usage time of one or more necessary consumables used in the machining of the workpiece.

10. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: Further including: The scanning step (S1) is to scan the patient intraorally or scan the patient's dental impression extraorally by a scanning device to generate scanning data for determining the dental restoration to be constructed in the construction step (S2).

11. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that The preparation step (S4) starts before the scanning step (S1) starts, or starts simultaneously with the scanning step (S1) starts, or starts before the scanning step (S1) ends.

12. A computer program comprising computer executable code for causing a computer-based dental production system to carry out the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

13. A computer readable storage device storing a computer program according to claim 12.

14. A computer-based dental manufacturing system for manufacturing dental restorations, characterized in that The computer-based dental production system is adapted to perform the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

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