LIGHTING DEVICE FOR ILLUMINATING A DENTAL OBJECT

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to an exposure device for illuminating a dental object and a method for illuminating a dental object.

[0002] Polychrome glasses and glass-ceramics can be colored by exposure combined with thermal treatment, such as quartz glass, quartz glass-ceramic, lithium aluminosilicate glass, lithium aluminosilicate glass-ceramic, lithium silicate glass, or lithium silicate glass-ceramic. Exposure is typically performed using UV radiation. For example, methods for exposing dental objects are disclosed in JP 3 203603 U or WO 2021 / 048733. The different color effects are achieved after exposure primarily through thermal treatment.

[0003] For this purpose, polychrome glasses and glass-ceramics comprise, for example, an oxidizable component and a reducible coloring component. The oxidizable component is a component that can be oxidized by irradiation or stimulated to release electrons. Oxidizable components include, for example, cerium ions, europium ions, erbium ions, copper ions, and mixtures thereof. The reducible coloring component is, for example, a component that can be reduced to produce a color change. Preferred reducible coloring components are cations of metals, such as silver, gold, copper, or combinations thereof.

[0004] It is the technical object of the present invention to enable a safe coloring of a dental object using short-wave radiation.

[0005] This technical problem is solved by the subject matter according to the independent claims. Technically advantageous embodiments are the subject matter of the dependent claims, the description, and the drawings.

[0006] According to a first aspect, the technical problem is solved by an exposure device according to claim 1.

[0007] The emitted radiation is used to illuminate the dental object. This provides the technical advantage that the dental object can be illuminated in a closed area, preventing radiation from escaping.

[0008] In a technically advantageous embodiment of the exposure device, the radiation source is configured to emit radiation with a wavelength between 350 nm and 5 pm, preferably between 350 nm and 10 nm, or most preferably between 350 nm and 100 nm. This achieves the technical advantage, for example, that particularly suitable wavelength ranges can be used for treating the dental object.

[0009] In a further technically advantageous embodiment of the exposure device, the exposure device comprises an intensity adjustment device for adjusting the radiation intensity of the radiation source. This achieves, for example, the technical advantage that the intensity of the radiation source can be adjusted and varied to a desired value.

[0010] In a further technically advantageous embodiment of the exposure device, the exposure device comprises a timer device for activating the radiation source for a predetermined period of time. This achieves the technical advantage, for example, that the exposure can be carried out automatically for a predetermined period of time.

[0011] In a further technically advantageous embodiment of the exposure device, the exposure device comprises a single radiation source for emitting radiation with a wavelength less than 350 nm. This achieves the technical advantage, for example, of reducing the technical complexity of manufacturing the exposure device.

[0012] In a further technically advantageous embodiment of the exposure device, the exposure device comprises a movement device for moving the dental object in front of the radiation source. This achieves the technical advantage, for example, of allowing the radiation to be directed to different areas of the dental object.

[0013] In a further technically advantageous embodiment of the exposure device, the movement device is designed to move the dental object at a certain height and / or rotate it relative to the radiation source. This achieves, for example, the technical advantage that the dental object can be easily illuminated from different sides.

[0014] In this embodiment, the exposure device is designed to move the radiation source at a fixed height. This provides the technical advantage, for example, that the dental object can be easily exposed from different positions.

[0015] In a further technically advantageous embodiment of the exposure device, the exposure device comprises an infrared radiation source for emitting radiation with a wavelength greater than 700 nm into the chamber. The infrared radiation source can be arranged inside or outside the chamber. Radiation can be guided into the chamber using an optical fiber. The infrared radiation source, such as an IR laser, can also be arranged outside the chamber. The emitted radiation can then be scanned over the dental object arranged inside the chamber using a scanner (e.g. DMD - Digital Mirror Device) through a suitable viewing window. This achieves the technical advantage, for example, of heating the dental object and completing the coloring of the dental object.

[0016] In a further technically advantageous embodiment of the exposure device, the infrared radiation source is configured to emit radiation with a wavelength between 700 nm and 10 μm, preferably between 700 nm and 5 μm, or most preferably between 700 nm and 3 μm. This achieves the technical advantage, for example, of using particularly suitable wavelengths to heat the dental object.

[0017] According to a second aspect, the technical problem is solved by a method for illuminating a dental object according to claim 11.

[0018] The process achieves the same technical advantages as the exposure device according to the first aspect.

[0019] In a technically advantageous embodiment of the method, the dental object is moved while emitting radiation. This achieves the technical advantage, for example, that the radiation can be directed to different areas of the dental object.

[0020] In another technically advantageous embodiment of the method, the radiation source is moved while emitting radiation. This also achieves the technical advantage, for example, of being able to direct the radiation to different areas of the dental object.

[0021] In a further technically advantageous embodiment of the method, radiation with a wavelength greater than 700 nm is emitted into the chamber by an infrared radiation source. This also achieves the technical advantage, for example, of heating the dental object and completing the coloring of the dental object.

[0022] In another technically advantageous embodiment of the method, the infrared radiation source is moved while emitting radiation. This also achieves the technical advantage, for example, of allowing the heat radiation to be directed to different areas of the dental object.

[0023] Embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawings and are described in more detail below.

[0024] They show: Fig. 1 is a schematic representation of an exposure device; and Fig. 2 is a block diagram of a method for illuminating a dental object.

[0025] Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of an exposure device 100. The exposure device 100 is used to expose a dental object 101 made of a polychrome glass and / or a polychrome glass ceramic. The dental object 101 is a dental restoration, such as a crown, a bridge, a veneer, an abutment, an inlay, or an onlay.

[0026] The exposure device 100 comprises a chamber 103 in which the dental object 101 is placed and which surrounds the dental object 101. The exposure device 100 may comprise a UV-transparent holder onto which a dental object 101 with a cavity can be placed and which enables illumination of the dental object 101 on the inside. The chamber 103 may comprise a door 115 that is opened to insert the dental object 101 into the chamber. To expose the dental object 101, the door 115 is closed so that no light can escape from the chamber 103.

[0027] The exposure device 100 comprises a radiation source 105 for emitting radiation with a wavelength less than 350 nm into the chamber 103. The emitted radiation from the radiation source 105 strikes the dental object 101. The radiation excites electronic transitions in the dental object 101, which lead to a color change upon subsequent heating of the dental object 101.

[0028] The exposure device 100 can include an electrical switch that is activated when the door 115 is opened and that deactivates the radiation source 105. This achieves the technical advantage of preventing dangerous radiation from escaping from the chamber 103. The radiation source 105 is arranged, for example, in a wall of the chamber 103 so that it can radiate into the interior. A diaphragm 121, such as a pinhole diaphragm, can be arranged in front of the radiation source 105 to shield the lateral regions of the radiation. This allows the emitted radiation to be directed onto specific regions of the dental object 101. The exposure device 100 can also include a light guide, such as a quartz glass fiber, with which the radiation is guided from the radiation source 105 to the dental object 101.

[0029] The radiation source 105 is electrically operated and is formed, for example, by a mercury vapor lamp, a quartz lamp, a black light lamp, a UV laser, or a UV light-emitting diode. However, the radiation source 105 can also comprise an X-ray tube for generating X-rays. In this case, the radiation source 105 can emit radiation with a wavelength of 5 pm to 10 nm.

[0030] The radiation source 105 is suitable for emitting radiation with a wavelength between 350 nm and 5 pm, preferably between 350 nm and 10 nm, or most preferably between 350 nm and 100 nm. In addition to using UV radiation, it is also possible to expose the dental object 101 to high-energy radiation. For example, with X-rays with a wavelength of 5 pm to 10 nm.

[0031] To adjust the intensity of the radiation source 105, the exposure device 100 includes an intensity adjustment device 107. The intensity adjustment device 107 can be formed by a controller with which the power of the radiation source 105 can be regulated. This intensity adjustment device 107 can be used, for example, to adjust the current or voltage at which the radiation source 105 is operated.

[0032] However, the intensity adjustment device 107 can also be implemented digitally. In this case, the exposure device 100 comprises a data interface 117, via which data for controlling the intensity of the radiation source 105 can be transmitted from an external device, such as a WLAN interface or a Bluetooth interface.

[0033] For example, a mobile phone or a tablet can be equipped with a suitable application that can control the intensity of the radiation source 105. For this purpose, the exposure device 100 comprises an electronic control device 119 that communicates with the application and can increase or decrease the emitted intensity of the radiation source 105. The electronic control device 119 can comprise a microprocessor and a digital memory in which data and programs for controlling the functions of the exposure device 100 are stored.

[0034] In addition, the electronic control device 119 can include a timer device 109 that activates the radiation source 105 for a predetermined period of time and automatically deactivates it after the predetermined period of time has elapsed. This achieves the technical advantage that the dental object 101 can be automatically exposed for a specific exposure duration, ensuring a defined exposure of the dental object 101.

[0035] The control device 119 can also include a trained algorithm for controlling the radiation source 105 and / or the infrared radiation source 113. The algorithm can be a machine learning algorithm or comprise an artificial neural network. The algorithm is trained using training data.

[0036] This achieves the technical advantage, for example, of using efficient technology to automatically generate a specific exposure and / or temperature program based on experimental data and achieve a desired color tone. The experimental data serves as training data for determining the color tone. If a target color tone is passed to the machine learning algorithm as input, it can determine a suitable exposure temperature program for controlling the radiation source 105 and / or the infrared radiation source 113. In this way, the exposure temperature program can be automatically generated using the machine learning algorithm. The exposure temperature program can be generated in the background using machine learning technology and passed to the control device 119.

[0037] The control device 119 can also include an electronic lookup table in which the respective control data for the radiation source 105 and the infrared radiation source 113 are stored for predetermined color shades of the dental object 101. In this way, the dental object 101 can be automatically generated with the desired color shade.

[0038] The exposure device 100 can comprise a single or multiple radiation sources 105 for emitting radiation with a wavelength less than 350 nm. A single radiation source 105 reduces the technical complexity of manufacturing the exposure device 100. When using a single radiation source 105, it is advantageous to move the dental object 101 in different spatial directions so that the radiation can reach all areas of the dental object 101.

[0039] For this purpose, the exposure device 100 comprises a movement device 111 for moving the dental object 101 in front of the radiation source 105. The movement device 111 is designed to move the dental object 101 at a height and / or to rotate it relative to the radiation source 105. The axis of rotation is, for example, a vertical axis (z-axis). The dental object 101 can also be moved linearly along the axis of rotation. However, the movement device can also be formed by a mechanical arm, such as a robotic arm, with which the dental object 101 can be moved inside the chamber 102. With this arm, the dental object 101 can be controllably moved in front of the radiation source 105.

[0040] The movement device 111 is formed, for example, by a turntable on which the dental object 101 can be arranged. The turntable is rotatable in front of the radiation source 105 and adjustable in height. For this purpose, the turntable is driven, for example, by electric motors via a suitable mechanism. The movement device 111 can also be controlled by the electronic control device 119. A movement program can also be stored in the electronic control device 119, which controls the movement device 111 and thereby moves the dental object 101 in a predetermined time sequence relative to the radiation source 105. The movement program can be used to position the dental object 101 relative to the radiation source 105. Different positions can be approached one after the other.

[0041] Part of the invention is to move the radiation source 105 at a certain height and / or around the dental object 101 using an additional movement device. Electric motors can also be driven for this purpose via a suitable mechanism. Generally, the dental object 101 and / or the radiation source are freely movable. If multiple radiation sources 105 are used, they can be arranged around the dental object 101. This allows the dental object 101 to be illuminated from multiple sides. In this case, a movement device 111 can be dispensed with.

[0042] The exposure device 100 may include a further additional infrared radiation source 113 for the local thermal treatment of the dental object 101 and the local color adjustment of the dental object 101. The infrared radiation source 113 emits radiation into the chamber 103 with a wavelength greater than 700 nm. The infrared radiation source 113 may be configured to emit radiation with a wavelength between 700 nm and 10 μm, preferably between 700 nm and 5 μm, or most preferably between 700 nm and 3 μm.

[0043] The infrared radiation source 113 is formed, for example, by an electrically operated infrared lamp, red light lamp, or heat lamp. The infrared radiation source 113 can also be formed by a thermal laser or infrared laser, such as an Nd:YAG laser, an Er:YAG laser, a CO, or a CO2 laser. If sufficient energy is absorbed by the glass ceramic, any other wavelength can be used, such as in the visible or UV range. Heating requires only the thermal input into the dental object, preferably without melting or ablating it. Alternatively, the heat treatment can also be carried out using microwave radiation.

[0044] To adjust the intensity of the infrared radiation source 105, the exposure device 100 can include a further intensity adjustment device 107. The electronic control device 119 can also include a timer device 109 that activates the infrared radiation source 113 for a predetermined period of time and automatically deactivates it after the predetermined period of time has elapsed. The infrared radiation source 113 can also be arranged so that its height can be adjusted and it can be moved around the dental object 101. A diaphragm 121, such as a pinhole diaphragm, can also be arranged in front of the infrared radiation source 113 to shield the lateral areas of the radiation.

[0045] Fig. 2shows a block diagram of a method for illuminating a dental object 101. The method comprises step S101 of accommodating the dental object 101 in the chamber 103 of the exposure device 100. In step S102, radiation with a wavelength less than 350 nm is emitted in the chamber 103. This radiation impinges on the dental object 101. Regions of the dental object 101 exposed to the radiation take on a color dependent on the previous exposure after heating the dental object 101.

[0046] This method achieves the technical advantage that the dental object 101 can be safely exposed for coloring and radiation leakage can be prevented. A dental object 101 with a cavity can be arranged on a UV-transparent holder, which allows illumination of the dental object 101 from the inside.

[0047] All features explained and shown in connection with individual embodiments of the invention can be provided in different combinations in the subject matter according to the invention in order to simultaneously realize their advantageous effects.

[0048] All method steps can be implemented by devices suitable for performing the respective method step. All functions performed by physical features can be a method step of a method.

[0049] The scope of the present invention is given by the claims and is not limited by the features explained in the description or shown in the figures. LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS

[0050] 100Exposure device 101Dental object 103Chamber 105Radiation source 107Intensity adjustment device 109Timer device 111Movement device 113Infrared radiation source 115Door 117Data interface 119Electronic control device 121Aperture

Claims

1. An exposure apparatus (100) for exposing a dental object (101), comprising: - a chamber (103) for receiving the dental object (101) ; - a radiation source (105) for emitting radiation having a wavelength smaller than 350 nm into the chamber (103); and - a movement device which is configured to move the radiation source (105) in a height and / or to rotate it around the dental object (101).

2. The exposure apparatus (100) according to claim 1, wherein the radiation source (105) is configured to emit radiation having a wavelength between 350 nm and 5 pm, preferably between 350 nm and 10 nm, or most preferably between 350 nm and 100 nm.

3. The exposure apparatus (100) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the exposure apparatus (100) comprises an intensity adjustment device (107) for adjusting a radiation intensity of the radiation source (105) .

4. The exposure apparatus (100) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the exposure apparatus (100) comprises a timer device (109) for activating the radiation source (105) for a predetermined period of time.

5. The exposure apparatus (100) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the exposure apparatus (100) comprises a single radiation source (105) for emitting radiation having a wavelength smaller than 350 nm.

6. The exposure apparatus (100) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the exposure apparatus (100) comprises a movement device (111) for moving the dental object (101) in front of the radiation source (105).

7. The exposure apparatus (100) according to claim 6, wherein the movement device (111) is configured to move the dental object (101) in a height and / or to rotate it with respect to the radiation source (105).

8. The exposure apparatus (100) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the exposure apparatus (100) is configured to move the radiation source (105) in a height.

9. The exposure apparatus (100) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the exposure apparatus (100) comprises an infrared radiation source (113) for emitting radiation having a wavelength that is greater than 700 nm in the chamber (103).

10. The exposure apparatus (100) according to claim 9, wherein the infrared radiation source (113) is configured to emit radiation having a wavelength between 700 nm and 10 µm, preferably between 700 nm and 5 µm, or most preferably between 700 nm and 3 µm.

11. A method of exposing a dental object (101), comprising the steps of: - receiving (S101) the dental object (101) in a chamber (103); and - emitting (S102) radiation having a wavelength smaller than 350 nm into the chamber (103), wherein the radiation source (105) is moved while radiation is emitted.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the dental object (101) is moved while radiation is emitted.

13. The method according to any of claims 11 or 12, wherein radiation having a wavelength greater than 700 nm is emitted into the chamber (103) by means of an infrared radiation source (113).

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the infrared radiation source (113) is moved while emitting radiation.