Dental blocks for forming blanks for partial restorations, dental partial restorations and methods of manufacturing dental partial restorations

Abstract

The invention relates to a dental blank, in particular a parallelepipedic block having an upper surface and a lower surface, composed of a flesh-colored material and a tooth-colored material. The flesh-colored material and the tooth-colored material are bonded together. An interface between the materials having protrusions and recesses, formed in or at the interface, extends through a plane which is optionally curved, the plane being parallel or inclined with respect to at least a portion of the surfaces of the blank. In the blank, a region is reserved for at least one partial restoration, the partial restoration extending over one or more protrusions and recesses, and the apex lines of the protrusions and recesses, when viewed in a plan view of the interface, substantially form straight lines which are parallel or substantially parallel to the interface and substantially parallel to one another.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a block material having an upper surface and a lower surface, a tooth blank having an upper surface and a lower surface, a partial dental restoration, and a method for preparing a partial dental restoration. Background Technology

[0002] It has long been known that restorations and teeth can be made from multiple layers. Examples of this can be found in solutions from WO 90 / 13268 A1 and WO 91 / 07141 A1.

[0003] In the case of dental restorations, good material compatibility is desirable on one hand, and a thin design of the restoration or partial restoration is also desirable on the other. To ensure that the teeth are firmly anchored in the dental restoration, they are usually bonded or inserted during the injection molding process. Solutions in this regard can be found in DE 837 288 B1.

[0004] Local restorations must be able to remain firmly anchored in the patient's jaw. For this purpose, metal frameworks are typically embedded, which can be fixed to adjacent teeth or to implants within the patient's jaw.

[0005] Currently, the production of such partial restorations requires several process steps. First, a frame made of metal or plastic (if necessary) must be fabricated and then embedded in a wax model. Subsequently, the wax model is replaced with the restoration material, for example, in a casting process or by lost-wax casting. The partial restoration is then finished and polished. This multi-step method can be understood, for example, from WO2007 / 060142 A1.

[0006] As mentioned above, partial restorations consist of multiple parts and different materials. The size of a partial restoration depends on the individual patient's dental condition. Compared to full restorations, the size of a partial restoration can vary greatly from person to person because the number and extent of interdental spaces differ from patient to patient.

[0007] Because creating models of the gums and teeth in wax and transferring them to the final restoration is error-prone and time-consuming, processing multiple models can easily lead to transfer errors. Therefore, the production of partial restorations is time-consuming and highly error-prone due to the numerous materials and steps involved. Summary of the Invention

[0008] Therefore, one of the objectives of this invention is to produce a block of material having an upper surface and a lower surface, wherein the block of material is composed of a flesh-colored material and a serrated material, wherein the flesh-colored material and the serrated material are connected to each other, and wherein an interface between materials having protrusions and depressions extends through a plane, wherein the protrusions and depressions are formed in or at the interface, the plane being parallel or inclined relative to at least a portion of the upper and lower surfaces of the blank, wherein, when viewed in a plan view of the interface, the vertex lines of the protrusions and depressions are substantially straight and substantially parallel to each other, wherein all parallel vertex lines of each of the protrusions and depressions extend completely and uninterruptedly through the entire blank.

[0009] Another object of the present invention is to provide a method for manufacturing dental partial restorations from dental blanks or blocks using a CAD / CAM device. The dental blanks or blocks are manufactured with upper and lower surfaces and are constructed of flesh-colored and tooth-colored materials, wherein the flesh-colored and tooth-colored materials are bonded together, and wherein an interface between materials having protrusions and depressions extends through a plane, the protrusions and depressions being formed in the interface, the plane being parallel, curved, or inclined relative to one of the disc surfaces of the dental blanks or blocks. A region is reserved in the dental blanks or blocks for at least one partial restoration, the region extending over one or more protrusions and depressions, and the vertex lines of each of the protrusions and depressions are substantially straight and substantially parallel to each other, wherein the partial restoration is milled from the region of the dental block extending beyond one or more protrusions and depressions, wherein all parallel vertex lines of each of the protrusions and depressions extend completely and uninterruptedly through the entire blank. On the one hand, it is inexpensive and can be manufactured quickly; on the other hand, it is less prone to errors and is also optimized in terms of storage options.

[0010] According to the present invention, this objective is achieved through the above technical solutions.

[0011] According to the present invention, the partial restoration is made of a specially designed blank. The blank is two-colored and consists of a gingival-colored (pink to light red) material and a tooth-colored (white to beige) material, each material being based on a plastic or ceramic material, which are bonded together in the manner described in the invention. This tight bond can be achieved, for example, by adhesive bonding or by polymerization. The two materials can also be held together simply by a pressing device (such as one or more screw clamps), but can be separated at any time.

[0012] For example, by pressing materials together while they are still in a soft (or even liquid) state at the interface, allowing them to interpenetrate at a microscopic level, it is possible to achieve one-piece and inseparable production. However, in this type of production, the transition region is also in the sub-millimeter range, for example, with a thickness of less than 100 μm.

[0013] During polymerization, such a transition range also exists on the same order of magnitude, and during adhesive bonding, the bonded joint can have a small thickness, for example, between 40 μm and 200 μm.

[0014] These materials are preferably composed of polymers (especially PMMA), but other materials such as ceramics (especially zirconium dioxide) or metals are also conceivable. Two different materials may also be used.

[0015] According to the invention, the blank is designed as a two-color block or a two-color disc, or a generally disc-shaped (especially flat cylindrical) blank having an upper surface and a lower surface. "Disc" should be understood as, for example, a block having a flat shape, which is particularly rounded, or even circular. Such a two-color disc can be, for example, a (flat) cylinder with a height much smaller than its radius. This height of the cylinder can extend along the axis of rotation of the cylinder and is denoted in Schenfrey notation by C∞, where "C" indicates periodicity and the exponent indicates countability, i.e., ∞ here indicates rotational symmetry. A plane passing through the interface between the two materials is perpendicular to said height (i.e., perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the cylinder) and therefore corresponds to a surface of rotation or plane of rotation.

[0016] In an advantageous embodiment, the blank is a block or disk-shaped body. This can be non-circular (especially polygonal), but it can also be circular. For example, a polygon can be achieved by a flat cuboid or a geometrically similar shape, wherein one of its sides is shorter than the other two. However, without departing from the scope of the invention, other polyhedra (especially flat polyhedra) such as uniform equilateral octagonal antiprisms or uniform equilateral (e.g., decagonal) antiprisms are also possible.

[0017] The interface between the materials of the billet extends along a plane, but its shape need not be flat or planar. In a preferred embodiment, the plane containing the interface is arranged parallel to one of the possibly flat upper or lower surfaces of the billet or block (especially the surface with the largest surface area). However, this plane may also lie diagonally within the billet. If the surfaces are not flat but, for example, curved or structured, the plane may extend substantially parallel to or parallel to a portion of said surfaces. “Substantially parallel” here and elsewhere refers to an extension with a small angular deviation from parallelism (preferably less than 20 degrees, more preferably less than 10 degrees, and especially less than 5 degrees).

[0018] In another embodiment, it is proposed that the plane of the interface between the materials within the billet itself is not flat, but rather has a certain curvature. In this case, the interface between the materials of the billet can resemble a dome, cone, or pyramid. In particular, the orientation corresponding to the Spy curve is preferred.

[0019] The flesh-colored material has protrusions and depressions at the interface between the two materials, each protruding from the plane. The apex of each protrusion or depression forms a line (especially a straight line) that extends parallel to or at least approximately parallel to the interface. Furthermore, the respective vertex lines of the protrusions and depressions extend generally parallel to each other.

[0020] Each local repair is preferably machined, in particular, from an extension of the blank beyond one or more raised and recessed areas, by milling.

[0021] In another embodiment, the vertex line is curved or serrated, or has straight areas as well as curved or serrated areas.

[0022] These lines are preferably spaced at a constant distance from each other, but the spacing between adjacent vertex lines can also vary. For example, the distance between vertex lines closer to the center of the interface can decrease and increase outwards (i.e. towards the edge of the billet).

[0023] However, the irregular arrangement of the distances is also advantageous, namely, the areas where the billet exhibits a wider distance between the vertex lines and the areas where the billet exhibits a very narrow distance between the vertex lines.

[0024] In another implementation, the generally straight vertex lines are not parallel, but arranged in a fan shape, such that the distance between the vertex lines is narrower on one side of the billet and wider on the opposite side of the billet.

[0025] The shape of the local restoration itself can be chosen in any suitable manner. The local restoration preferably extends above several lines, but it can also be arranged above only one apex line (more precisely, the apex line of a recess in flesh-colored material).

[0026] Preferably, the toothed material at the interface between the two materials has a shape completely opposite to that of the flesh-colored material. Therefore, the interface between these materials has protrusions and depressions, thus the two materials can be said to be interlocked or mutually locked.

[0027] In one advantageous embodiment, the flesh-colored material can be polymerized onto the tooth-colored material. In another embodiment, as described above, there is an adhesive, bonding, or composite material between the two materials to securely bond them together. Using additive manufacturing processes or pressing or other joining techniques to join the two materials can also be particularly advantageous.

[0028] If we consider a blank in a cross-section passing through both materials (i.e., perpendicular to the plane) (whereby it is assumed here that the flesh-colored material is at the bottom and the tooth-colored material is at the top, and the cross-section preferably passes through the center of the blank and is perpendicular to these lines), the flesh-colored material at the interface exhibits convex and concave features, which are preferably not symmetrical. The convex features of the flesh-colored material are more conical, while the concave features are more circular. In this respect, apexes exist in the side view, and from these downwardly extending sloping areas, ramps are formed and extend into valleys. This design resembles a series of U-shapes or a chain. This design of the interface of the block, blank, or partially machined restoration according to the invention makes it easy to define the shape and orientation of the teeth and / or gingiva for the final restoration, allowing for the easy representation of natural human gingival margins during the fabrication of the final restoration.

[0029] In this cross-section, the tooth-colored material exhibits a shape completely opposite to that of the flesh-colored material at the interface between the two materials. For example, this is beneficial in supporting the strength and resistance of the joint between the two materials (especially adhesive joints) against the forces acting upon it, both during further processing of the blank and in the daily use of the final local restoration.

[0030] In a preferred embodiment, the distance between the protrusions and recesses and / or their height or depth is not constant over the entire block or blank. For example, the apex lines of protrusions and recesses with larger distances and / or heights or depths may pass through or near the center of the block or blank. In this embodiment, the apex lines of protrusions and recesses with smaller distances and / or heights or depths extend in the peripheral region of the block or blank. In this embodiment, local repairs machined (especially milled) in the region of the outer lines naturally have smaller dimensions compared to local repairs machined (especially milled) in the region of lines extending through or near the center of the block or blank. The opposite design (i.e., larger distances and heights or depths in the two edge regions of the block or blank) is also possible.

[0031] The distance between the protrusions and recesses and / or their height or depth can also gradually increase from one side of the block or blank to the other, or be designed in any other arrangement. Generally, molars and premolars are used more frequently than canines and incisors, therefore the space in the blank can be adapted to requirements in a simple manner through the design according to the invention.

[0032] In another embodiment of the invention, a tooth-colored material is proposed to be designed with a color gradient. In this case, a darker hue is proposed for the tooth-colored material at the interface between the two materials, and this hue varies in a manner that lightens with increasing distance from the flesh-colored material. This allows for a realistic tooth appearance in the final product to be achieved in a simple manner by designing the block or blank according to the invention, without requiring extensive post-processing (such as varnishing the teeth to match the patient's adjacent natural teeth).

[0033] According to the present invention, various local restorations can be precisely fabricated from blanks without the use of (wax) models, even for different patients. Therefore, this ensures the elimination of transfer defects while simultaneously optimizing material properties.

[0034] In a one-piece design, the two-color blank means that there is no longer a need to connect the gum area and the tooth portion.

[0035] The preferred design according to the invention (i.e., the tight bonding of the toothed and flesh-colored materials of the blank) achieves the advantage of allowing for faster milling operations. The machining of both materials requires only clamping operations. Surprisingly, the bonding strength is also sufficient for milling and the forces applied therein, due to the tight bonding between the toothed and flesh-colored materials and their shape fit.

[0036] Of particular advantage is that the one-piece restoration can be automatically finished through machining processes, especially through milling in a CAD / CAM unit with integrated control. Using this control device, the precise position of the local restoration within the blank can be determined automatically and / or under user control.

[0037] CAD / CAM systems complete the placement of partial restorations within the blank based on patient-specific data, particularly patient-specific tooth dimensions and widths, and then form the restoration accordingly. In this way, the dimensions of the partial restoration are determined based on patient-specific data, and different shapes of the corresponding dental arch, i.e., different tooth orientations, can be taken into account. The required patient data is provided below: First, the patient's dental condition is recorded through routine intraoral scanning or impressions and subsequent 3D scanning, and this information is transmitted to the control device. This marks anatomically relevant points or anatomical points in relevant areas for subsequent local restorations. These points serve as reference points. Furthermore, the control device determines the shape of individual teeth, tooth rotation and / or angles, and the base shape of the local restoration based on the patient's oral condition recorded by the scanning device.

[0038] This data is input into the software of the CAD / CAM device. First, the data for the maxillary and mandibular models are imported and correctly positioned relative to each other. Then, the CAD / CAM device uses its controls to automatically suggest the optimal location on the blank for fabricating the virtual restoration (i.e., the so-called virtual restoration). However, the user (e.g., a dental technician) can modify the virtual restoration and its recommended placement within the CAD / CAM device.

[0039] In a preferred embodiment, each blank is equipped with an individual identification feature (such as a QR code) and also has reference points that allow for precise positioning within a CAD / CAM device. Alternatively, this can also be achieved using an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) chip. Surprisingly, this also applies when the blank is removed from the device and subsequently clamped again. After a partial restoration is produced from the blank, the control device stores the precise location of the processed area of ​​the blank using the reference points on the blank and the individual identification feature of the blank. Therefore, the control device automatically knows which area on which blank is still unused and automatically recommends suitable blanks for virtual partial restorations and the optimal placement position thereon.

[0040] CAM data of already manufactured blanks can also be nested. Furthermore, a camera can be set up in the milling machine, aimed at the blank to be machined (potentially partially milled), and image recognition can be used to provide information about the available areas of the blank.

[0041] The control unit can also nest multiple virtual partial restorations on one or more blanks, achieving particularly good material utilization. For this purpose, the control unit optimizes the placement of the corresponding virtual partial restorations, taking into account partially machined blanks. If the optimal placement cannot be achieved or there is no longer enough new blank, the software will issue a warning signal.

[0042] Once the control device has determined the optimal placement position, it will recommend this optimal placement position to the user, for example, through a pop-up window, allowing the user to confirm it. Alternatively, the placement position can be automatically passed to the CAD / CAM unit without user confirmation. Here, the determined data is automatically released for further processing and forwarded to the milling machine of the CAD / CAM unit to form the partial restoration, wherein the bicolor blank according to the invention (especially a partially machined bicolor blank) is the desired partial restoration or is clamped and formed into the desired partial restoration. After final polishing, the finished partial restoration can be delivered to the dentist for integration.

[0043] In a modified embodiment, a method is proposed to hold the connecting mesh between the partial repair to be produced and the remaining blank during milling, thereby preventing the partial repair from falling out during milling even if the blank is to be rotated or tilted in three-dimensional space. This allows the blank according to the invention to be machined using any conventional milling machine without special modifications to the milling machine.

[0044] Based on the obtained patient data, the control device can be used not only to determine the shape of individual teeth, but also to determine the rotation and angle of teeth and the base shape of local restorations, thereby enabling the creation of local restorations for each actual dental condition of the patient.

[0045] Therefore, for many clinical situations (such as different interdental space lengths and different tooth sizes), different tooth segments and / or partial restorations can be manufactured individually and in whole from blank blocks or blank trays, thereby significantly simplifying the manufacturing process of partial restorations by utilizing these blanks and automated manufacturing processes.

[0046] It can also produce blanks of different sizes (i.e. blanks with different total quantities), equivalent to garment sizes such as "L", "M" or "S".

[0047] Particularly advantageous is that, due to the design according to the invention and the alternating protrusions and depressions in the cross-section, each protrusion of the dentine-colored material in the finished partial restoration follows the visible edge of the tooth at its neck, opposite the gingiva formed by the flesh-colored material. Surprisingly, it can be easily made to resemble natural teeth and gingiva because the flesh-colored material is at least partially removed (especially by milling) until, on the vestibular side, the boundary between the dentine-colored material and the flesh-colored material after the crown milling recedes into the gingival line, especially in the remaining portion, opposite both the flesh-colored and dentine-colored materials. Therefore, it is difficult to distinguish the finished partial restoration from the surrounding teeth.

[0048] By designing the interface between the tooth-colored material and the flesh-colored material according to the present invention, multiple partial restorations of different (tooth) sizes can be produced from a single blank.

[0049] According to the invention, it is particularly advantageous that, during the manufacturing process, the individual teeth of the partial restoration are held together by connection points made of a tooth-colored material. Surprisingly, this improves resistance to masticatory forces, especially lateral shear forces, compared to conventional partial restorations where individual teeth are typically glued to a base.

[0050] Given that individually manufactured and assembled teeth are typically housed within the cavity of a restoration substrate manufactured according to existing technology, and are subjected to considerable shear loads due to the leverage of chewing forces during mastication (which also imposes a significant load on the bonding surface), the present invention aims to minimize these shear forces through the design of the local restoration according to the invention (particularly the special design of the interface between the tooth-colored and flesh-colored materials) and the connection of the teeth (to form a bridge extending throughout the entire local restoration). According to the invention, the worrying situation of loosening of individual tooth connections is eliminated because, during mastication, the connection between at least two adjacent teeth of the local restoration exhibits lower shear stress due to the increased bonding surface.

[0051] Other advantages, details, and features arise from the following description of several embodiments of the invention based on the accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0052] In these attached figures: Figure 1 This is a schematic cross-section through the block material according to the invention, shown in perspective, as one of the possible implementations; Figure 1 a) is a schematic cross-section through the block material according to the invention, shown in perspective in the first embodiment, showing possible placement positions of various virtual partial repairs; Figure 1 b) is a schematic cross-section through the block material according to the invention, shown in perspective, in another embodiment; Figure 2 This is a top view showing possible embodiments of the posterior tooth blank according to the present invention and possible positioning of local restorations of different sizes; Figure 2 a) is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of the interface of the invention between tooth-colored material and flesh-colored material, and the possible positioning of teeth of different sizes in a disc-shaped blank; Figure 2b) is a top view showing a first embodiment of the block material according to the invention and a possible location of the partial repair body; Figure 3 This is a top view showing possible embodiments of the posterior tooth blank according to the present invention and possible positioning of local restorations of different sizes; Figure 3 a) is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of the interface of the invention between tooth-colored material and flesh-colored material, and the possible positioning of teeth of different sizes in a disc-shaped blank; Figure 3 b) is a top view showing a first embodiment of the block material according to the invention and a possible location of the partial repair body; Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram illustrating possible embodiments of the disc-shaped blanks and blocks according to the present invention under monitoring, as well as possible positioning of local repair bodies of different sizes; Figure 4 a) is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of the interface of the invention between tooth-colored material and flesh-colored material, and the possible positioning of teeth of different sizes in a disc-shaped blank; Figure 4 b) is a top view showing a first embodiment of the block material according to the invention and a possible location of the partial repair body; Figure 5 It is a schematic cross-section through a tooth / gingival portion prepared according to the present invention, which is composed of gingival and tooth-colored materials in the first embodiment; Figure 5 a) is a schematic cross-section through a tooth / gingival portion prepared according to the invention, the tooth / gingival portion being composed of gingival-colored and tooth-colored materials in the first embodiment; Figure 5 b) is a schematic cross-section through a local restoration or tooth / gingival portion prepared according to the invention, which is composed of gingival and tooth-colored materials as described in another embodiment. Detailed Implementation

[0053] Figure 1 a) and Figure 1 b) A schematic cross-section through the block or blank according to the invention is shown in perspective view. Figure 1 a) shows possible placement locations for multiple virtual tooth / gingival portions 1. Teeth 2 (especially teeth 2 connected by connectors 6) consist of a restoration base 8 made of tooth-colored material 4 and flesh-colored material 10. These two materials are tightly bonded to each other at their interface 12, particularly aggregated or bonded together.

[0054] The tooth / gingival portion 1 is made from two-color blocks or blanks. Figure 1 In a) and 1b), the plane 13 passing through the interface 12 between the two materials is perpendicular to the height and is therefore horizontal. Figure 1 In a), plane 13 is shown in a side view.

[0055] Figure 1 (b) A perspective view shows the arrangement of the interface 12 in the block material according to the invention, which has the vertex line 11 according to the invention. Here, a three-dimensional embodiment of the flesh-colored material 10 is shown at the interface between materials 4 and 10.

[0056] In the top view, plane 13, as a cross section, passes through the interface 12 between the tooth-colored material 4 and the flesh-colored material 10 according to the invention. The overall orientation of plane 13, and therefore the interface 12 between the two materials, does not necessarily extend horizontally in the blank, although... Figure 1 This is how it is shown. However, plane 13 can also extend at an angle or be curved. The blank can be blocky or circular. In a blocky embodiment, plane 13 extends horizontally through the interface 12 between the two materials in a flat block. In another embodiment, plane 13 is implemented through the interface 12 and extends obliquely within the blank, thus also implementing an interface 12 extending obliquely within the blank.

[0057] like Figure 1 As shown in b), when viewed along plane 13 and perpendicular to vertex line 11 according to the invention, the interface 12 between the block materials has a series of protrusions 32 and recesses 34. The vertex lines 11 of each recess 34 or protrusion 32 form a line (especially a straight line) parallel to or at least approximately parallel to the interface. However, it may also be slightly inclined towards or away from the boundary surface. This inclination can be 0.5 degrees, 1 degree, 2 degrees, 4 degrees, 7 degrees, 10 degrees, 15 degrees, 20 degrees, or any value between 0 and 30 degrees.

[0058] Furthermore, the vertex lines 11 of the protrusion 32 and the recess 34 extend generally parallel to each other. The vertex lines 11 project from the plane. The vertex lines 11 of the protrusion 32 extend above the plane 13 in the figure, while the vertex lines 11 of the recess 34 extend below the plane 13.

[0059] The tooth-colored material 4 has a shape completely opposite to that of the flesh-colored material 10 at the interface 12 between the two materials. Therefore, the interface 12 between the materials has linear protrusions 32 and recesses 34, and the two materials interlock. A transition portion forming an inclined surface (or slope) extends between them. Thus, in a cross-section perpendicular to the linear protrusions 32 and recesses 34 and also perpendicular to the plane 13, the interface 12 between the two materials has a curved shape. This shape can also be described as a chain-like shape.

[0060] If in such Figure 1 (b) As shown, observing the blank in a cross-section passing through both materials (i.e., the plane perpendicular to interface 12) (here it is assumed that flesh-colored material 10 is at the bottom and tooth-colored material 4 is at the top, and the cross-section extends perpendicular to the vertex line 11), the protrusions 32 and recesses 34 of the flesh-colored material 10 at interface 12 are asymmetrical when reflected on plane 13. Instead, the protrusions 32 are rather sharp, while the recesses 34 are rather rounded. This design of interface 12 corresponds to the human gingival line and can be likened to a series of U-shapes 30.

[0061] For example, during further processing of the blank (and during routine use of the final partial restoration), the interlocking enhances the strength of the connection between the tooth-colored material 4 and the flesh-colored material 10, as well as its resistance to forces acting upon it, especially when connected via adhesive joints. On the other hand, since the tapered protrusion 32 of the flesh-colored material 10 naturally resembles the natural orientation of the gingiva in the interdental region, the asymmetry of the interface allows for easy assembly of the tooth / gingival portion 1 with a particularly natural appearance. The circular recess 34 of the flesh-colored material 10 (i.e., the circular protrusion of the opposite tooth-colored material 4) provides a natural tooth shape. Therefore, to achieve a natural appearance, it is only necessary to mill the tooth / gingival portion 1 from the blank at a suitable point (i.e., at a point identified as suitable and preferably most space-saving by the control device of the CAD / CAM system). As a final finishing operation, it is only necessary to mill the gingival margin in the transition area between the flesh-colored material 10 and the tooth-colored material 4.

[0062] Figure 2 a) and Figure 2 b) Figure 3 a) and Figure 3 b) and Figure 4 a) and Figure 4 b) shows schematic diagrams of several embodiments of the blank according to the invention, i.e., in Figure 2 a) Figure 3 a) and Figure 4 The disk in a) and in Figure 2 b) Figure 3 b) and Figure 4The block material in b). The illustrations in these figures are intended to show the interface 12 between material 4 and material 10 (see b). Figure 1 a) and Figure 1 b) Several parallel lines are shown, each passing through the disc or block of material. Dashed lines correspond to the apex or vertex line 11 of recess 34—a location that corresponds to the center of the tooth in the fabricated partial restoration. Solid lines correspond to the apex or vertex line 11 of protrusion 32, which correspond to the interdental spaces (papillae, i.e., the junction 6 between the individual teeth 2 in the partial restoration). Both figures involve flesh-colored material 10.

[0063] In addition, Figure 2 The possible positions of the teeth and row 2 are shown in a) and 2b). These correspond to the positions that will be drawn later from... Figure 2 b) block material and according to Figure 2 a) The teeth of the partial restorations milled by the disc.

[0064] Another particular advantage of disc-shaped blanks with a diameter, for example, slightly less than 100 mm, is the abundance of space available for arranging partial dentures. Such blanks can also be used for... Figure 2 In addition to the partial denture shown in a), there are further partial dentures. The fully and uninterrupted apex lines extending through the convex and concave sections of the blank allow the partial dentures to be arranged in any desired distribution, even as shown in a diagram. Figure 2 As shown in a), the arrangement is adjacent to the edge of the disc-shaped billet.

[0065] Figure 2 a) and 2b) show the waveforms at the interface 12 between materials 4 and 10, where the distance between the vertex lines 11 near the center of the billet is greater than the distance between the vertex lines 11 closer to the edge of the billet. Therefore, a larger tooth size can be achieved near the center of the billet, while a smaller tooth size can be achieved near the edge of the billet. Smaller line spacing corresponds to a lower waveform, and larger line spacing corresponds to a higher waveform.

[0066] If the partial restoration or the tooth / gingival portion of the tooth is large, the partial restoration is located in the center; if it is small, it is located on the left or right edge of the blank.

[0067] Understandably, the exact shape of the chain or wave (i.e., the shape of the ramp between the convex and concave sections) can also be changed at will, thus allowing for larger or thinner teeth if needed.

[0068] The shape of these inclined regions or slopes can also be changed along vertex line 11. Thus, the choice of the tooth's position on vertex line 11 determines the shape of one or more individual teeth in the local restoration under discussion.

[0069] Despite Figures 2 to 4 Only the premolars and molars forming the partial restoration are shown in the image, but it is understood that partial restorations including incisors and / or canines can also be fabricated with a curvature corresponding to the human dental arch.

[0070] according to Figure 3 a) and Figure 3 b) Implementation plan and basis Figure 2 a) and Figure 2 The difference in embodiment b) lies only in the distribution of the lines. Here, the distance between the vertex lines 11 near the center of the billet is closer than the distance between the vertex lines 11 closer to the edge of the billet. In this embodiment, smaller teeth are arranged in the central region of the billet, while larger teeth are arranged on the left or right edge of the billet.

[0071] according to Figure 4 a) and Figure 4 b) Implementation plan and basis Figure 2 a) and Figure 2 b) and Figure 3 a) and Figure 3 The difference in the implementation of b) also lies in the distribution of the lines. Here, the distance between the leftmost vertex lines 11 in the billet is less than the distance between the rightmost vertex lines 11. Therefore, smaller teeth can be arranged in the left side region of the billet, while larger teeth can be arranged in the right side region of the billet.

[0072] As an alternative to a linear increase or decrease in the distance between vertex lines 11 (as shown here), a logarithmic increase / decrease in the line distance, or an irregular or arbitrary increase / decrease, is also possible to meet specific requirements.

[0073] In addition, you can make the vertex line array diverge along your tooth direction. For adjacent vertex lines, the parallelism deviation can be 0.5 degrees, 1 degree, 2 degrees, 4 degrees, 7 degrees, 10 degrees, 15 degrees, 20 degrees, or any value between 0 and 30 degrees.

[0074] Vertex line 11 does not necessarily have to extend in a perfectly straight line. Its orientation can vary in both direction and height between adjacent vertex lines 11, or in other directions. This allows for variations in the size of the tooth / gingival portion 1 in a simple manner, particularly irregular variations in tooth size, such as abnormally small teeth between normal large teeth, or vice versa. Such a range of shapes is sometimes also present in natural teeth.

[0075] The blocks according to the invention can be manufactured in different sizes to achieve better size adaptability. Blocks of size "L" can be manufactured for larger tooth / gingival portions, blocks of size "M" can be manufactured for teeth / gingival portions of general size, and blocks of size "S" can be manufactured for smaller tooth / gingival portions.

[0076] exist Figure 2 b) Figure 3 b) and Figure 4 In b), a retainer 36 is shown for clamping the block material according to the invention in the clamping device of the CAM apparatus. For example, the retainer 36 can be glued to the block material according to the invention.

[0077] The retainer 36 can be threaded onto the block material, fitted with a form-fitting insert, or designed as an integral part of the retainer 36 and the block material. For example, the retainer 36 can be made of flesh-colored and / or tooth-colored material, another plastic, or metal, and its shape can be adapted to the clamping requirements of the corresponding CAM device.

[0078] Compared to the illustrated embodiment, the block material can also be manufactured with a structure having a rotation of, for example, 45°. In this case, vertex line 11 is not parallel to the side surface of the block material, but rather diagonally or obliquely parallel to the interface of the block material.

[0079] Understandably, in order to produce such Figure 2 b) Figure 3 b) and Figure 4 The rectangular block shown in b) does not need to be sourced from, as in Figure 2 a) Figure 3 a) and Figure 4 The cuboid block is milled from the disc-shaped blank shown in a). Alternatively, the block can be directly formed into a cuboid shape.

[0080] Figure 5 a) and Figure 5 (b) A schematic cross-section is shown through the tooth / gingival portion 1 milled from the blank or block according to the invention. The tooth 2 is composed of a tooth-colored material 4 and a flesh-colored material 10, forming a gingival portion 8. The two materials are pre-bonded (i.e. already in the blank) tightly bonded to each other at their interface 12, in particular aggregated or bonded together. Figure 5 a shows a multi-part (here, four-part) tooth / gingival portion. Teeth 2, made of tooth-colored material 4, are connected to each other at connection point 6.

[0081] Figure 5 b shows a one-piece tooth / gingival portion, also known as a single-tooth restoration. (See diagram for reference.) Figures 1 to 4 As shown, the tooth / gingival portion 1 is made of a flat, possibly disc-shaped, two-color block or blank.

Claims

1. A block material having an upper surface and a lower surface, wherein the block material is composed of a flesh-colored material and a tooth-colored material. The flesh-colored material and the tooth-colored material are connected to each other, and the interface between the materials having protrusions and depressions extends through a plane, the protrusions and depressions being formed in or at the interface, the plane being parallel or inclined relative to at least a portion of the upper and lower surfaces of the block material. Its features are, When viewed in a plan view of the interface, the vertex lines of each of the protrusions and recesses form essentially straight lines and are substantially parallel to each other. In this embodiment, all parallel vertex lines of each of the protrusions and depressions extend completely and uninterruptedly through the entire block.

2. The block material according to claim 1, characterized in that, The apex lines of the protrusions and depressions extend parallel to or substantially parallel to the interface.

3. The block material according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The distance between the vertex lines is constant.

4. The block material according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The tooth-colored material and / or the flesh-colored material are designed to have a color gradient and / or gradually become transparent as the distance from the interface between the materials increases.

5. The block material according to claim 4, characterized in that, The tooth-colored material and / or the flesh-colored material become increasingly transparent as the distance from the interface between them increases.

6. A method for manufacturing a partial dental restoration from a dental blank or block using a CAD / CAM device, said dental blank or block being manufactured with an upper surface and a lower surface and constructed of flesh-colored material and tooth-colored material, wherein said flesh-colored material and said tooth-colored material are bonded together, and wherein an interface between materials having protrusions and depressions extends through a plane, said protrusions and depressions being formed in said interface, said plane being parallel, curved, or inclined relative to one of the disc surfaces of said dental blank or block, characterized in that, In the dental blank or block, a region is reserved for at least one partial restoration, the region extending over one or more protrusions and depressions, and the apex lines of each of the protrusions and depressions are substantially straight and substantially parallel to each other. The partial restoration is milled from the tooth block extending beyond one or more protruding and recessed areas. In this embodiment, all parallel vertex lines of each of the protrusions and recesses extend completely and uninterruptedly through the entire blank.

7. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that, The apex lines of the protrusions and depressions are parallel to or substantially parallel to the interface.

8. The method according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that, After scanning, virtually creating the restoration, and virtually positioning it in the blank, multiple partial restorations for different patients are made from the tooth blank or block material.

9. The method according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that, The block material has reference points and / or individual identification marks for positioning in a CAD / CAM device.

10. The method according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that, The CAD / CAM device fixes the partial restoration according to the spatial shape of the partial restoration, and has a control device that positions the partial restoration in the blank according to the required size and / or tooth width.

11. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that, The control device stores the location of the restoration made from each blank.

12. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that, The control device uses a nesting method to determine the position of the blank and / or the new local repair to be manufactured on the blank, so as to achieve the maximum utilization of raw materials.

13. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that, The control device suggests and fixes the individual tooth shape, tooth rotation and / or angle.

14. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that, The individual identification marker is a QR code or an RFID tag.

Images