Exposure device for causing dental object to be exposed
The exposure apparatus with wavelengths above 350 nm and high power densities addresses the shallow penetration issue of UV-based methods, achieving efficient and cost-effective coloring of dental objects with deeper penetration and shorter times.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- JP2024093372
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2023-06-26
- Filing Date
- 2024-06-08
- Publication Date
- 2025-01-15
Smart Images
Figure 2025004751000001_ABST
Abstract
Description
[Technical field]
[0001] The present invention relates to an exposure device for irradiating a dental object as well as a method for irradiating a dental object. [Background technology]
[0002] Polychromatic glasses and glass ceramics, such as quartz glass, quartz glass ceramic, lithium aluminosilicate glass, lithium aluminosilicate glass ceramic, lithium silicate glass or lithium silicate glass ceramic, can be colored by exposure to light followed by a heat treatment. In this case, the exposure is usually carried out by UV irradiation. After the irradiation is complete, the various color effects are mainly achieved by a temperature treatment.
[0003] However, exposure to UV radiation achieves only a shallow penetration depth in glass-ceramics. UV lasers, UV-LEDs and UV optics are technically expensive and have large dimensions. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]
[0004] It is therefore an object of the present invention to carry out the staining of dental objects efficiently and at low technical cost. [Means for solving the problem]
[0005] The above-mentioned technical problem is solved by the subject matter of the independent claims. Technically preferred embodiments are the subject matter of the dependent claims, the description and the accompanying drawings.
[0006] According to a first embodiment, a cavity for accommodating a dental object; and a wavelength of more than 350 nm and 10 W / cm 2 The above technical problem is solved by an exposure device for exposing a dental object, comprising a radiation source for exposing the dental object with a wavelength of more than 350 nm and a power density of more than 10 W / cm at a given position in the cavity.2 The exposure can be performed with radiation having a power density of more than 100 W / cm 2 Over 1kW / cm 2 Such power densities can excite multi-photon processes within the dental object.
[0007] This exposure device achieves the technical advantage of allowing greater penetration depth of radiation into the material when staining the dental object, thereby making the entire volume of the dental object exposable and excitable. When using wavelengths above 350 nm, more efficient devices and optics can be utilized and shorter exposure times can be realized.
[0008] According to a technically preferred embodiment of the exposure device, the radiation source is configured to expose the dental object with wavelengths above 700 nm, thereby achieving technical advantages, for example, that a greater penetration depth is possible.
[0009] According to another technically preferred embodiment of the exposure device, the radiation source is configured to emit radiation with a power of more than 1 W. The laser can scan an area with, for example, 10,000 exposure points. With an exposure time of 0.1 seconds per exposure point, the total exposure time is 1000 seconds. In this case, a radiation power of 1 W of the laser can be sufficient. This achieves the technical advantage that, for example, dental objects can be efficiently exposed.
[0010] According to another technically preferred embodiment of the exposure device, the radiation source is formed by a laser, a light-emitting diode or a mercury lamp, thereby achieving the technical advantage that, for example, radiation for exposing dental objects can be generated efficiently.
[0011] According to another technically preferred embodiment of the exposure device, the laser is a Ti:sapphire laser or a Nd:YAG laser, which achieves the technical advantage, for example, of being able to generate a power density in a simple manner and irradiate the dental object without losses.
[0012] According to another technically preferred embodiment of the exposure device, the radiation source is configured to emit radiation in the wavelength range of 350 nm to 1800 nm, more preferably 350 nm to 1500 nm, particularly preferably 350 nm to 1100 nm, whereby the technical advantage is achieved, for example, that the coloring of dental objects can be efficiently carried out.
[0013] According to another technically preferred embodiment of the exposure apparatus, the exposure apparatus comprises an intensity adjusting device for adjusting the radiation intensity of the radiation source, whereby the technical advantage is achieved that for example the intensity of the light irradiation can be adjusted depending on the material used.
[0014] According to another technically preferred embodiment of the exposure device, the maximum and / or average radiation intensity of the radiation source is 100 W or 300 W. In the case of a laser, the average radiation intensity can be calculated over several laser pulses. In the case of a light-emitting diode or a mercury lamp, the average intensity can be calculated continuously over a certain time period. This makes it possible, for example, to prevent excessively intense irradiation of the dental object.
[0015] According to another technically preferred embodiment of the exposure device, the exposure device comprises a timer device for activating the radiation source in a defined time domain, whereby the technical advantage is achieved, for example, that a defined energy per unit area can be applied to the dental object.
[0016] According to a second embodiment, at wavelengths above 350 nm and 10 W / cm 2The aforementioned technical problem is solved by a method for exposing a dental object, comprising exposing the dental object using a power density of greater than 1000 nm, which achieves the same technical advantages as the exposure apparatus according to the first aspect described above.
[0017] According to technically preferred embodiments of the method, the wavelength is greater than 500 or even 700 nm, thereby also achieving technical advantages, for example allowing a greater penetration depth.
[0018] According to another technically preferred embodiment of the method, the radiation power is more than 1 W. This also achieves the technical advantage that, for example, dental objects can be efficiently exposed.
[0019] According to another technically preferred embodiment of the method, radiation is emitted in the wavelength range of 350 nm to 1800 nm, more preferably 350 nm to 1500 nm, particularly preferably 350 nm to 1100 nm. In addition, coloring is also achieved by heat treatment. This achieves the technical advantage that, for example, coloring or exposure of dental objects can be carried out efficiently.
[0020] According to another technically preferred embodiment of the method, the dental object is exposed to light in a given time domain, whereby the technical advantage is achieved, for example, that a given energy per unit area can be applied to the dental object.
[0021] According to a third aspect, the aforementioned technical problem is solved by an exposure system comprising an exposure device according to the first aspect and a dental object comprising a polychromatic glass and / or polychromatic glass-ceramic, which exposure system achieves the same technical advantages as the exposure device according to the first aspect.
[0022] Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. [Brief description of the drawings]
[0023] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an exposure apparatus. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a method for exposing a dental object. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0024] 1 is a schematic diagram of an exposure apparatus 100. The exposure apparatus 100 serves to expose and activate a dental object 101 made of a polychromatic glass or glass-ceramic. The dental object 101 is, for example, a dental prosthesis such as a crown, bridge, veneer, abutment, inlay or onlay.
[0025] Thus, the polychromatic glass or glass ceramic comprises, for example, an oxidizable component and a reducible color component. The oxidizable component is a component that can be oxidized by irradiation or excited to release electrons. The oxidizable component is, for example, cerium ions, europium ions, erbium ions, copper ions, and mixtures thereof. The reducible color component is, for example, a component that can be reduced while causing a color change. Suitable reducible color components are, for example, metallic protons such as silver, gold, copper, or combinations thereof.
[0026] The exposure apparatus 100 comprises a cavity 103, inside which the dental object 101 is placed and exposure of the dental object is performed. The exposure apparatus 100 has a predefined position 111 for the dental object 101 to be exposed, e.g. a resting surface or a holder for the dental object 101. The cavity 103 can be formed with reflective walls in order to increase the radiation intensity at the location of the dental object 101. The radiation source 105 is, for example, located in the ceiling of the cavity 103. However, the radiation source 105 can generally also be located at other positions, as long as the dental object is exposed with a predefined power density.
[0027] The radiation source 105 emits radiation having a wavelength greater than 350 nm at the predetermined location 111 and a radiation intensity of 10 W / cm at the predetermined location 111.2 The laser serves to expose the dental object 101 with a power density of 1000 . In this regard, suitable radiation sources 105 are, for example, Nd:YAG or Ti:sapphire lasers. When using a laser, the radiation can be directly and precisely directed towards the dental object 101.
[0028] The radiation source 105 may be constituted by a suitable light emitting diode or a mercury lamp. Typically, wavelengths above 350 nm and powers of 10 W / cm 2 Any radiation source 105 capable of emitting radiation at a power density greater than 1000 .mu.m may be used.
[0029] The exposure apparatus 100 comprises an intensity adjustment device 107 for adjusting the radiation intensity of the radiation source 105. Thereby, the intensity of the radiation can be increased or decreased. The intensity adjustment device 107 comprises, for example, an electronic control device, which can change the radiation intensity of the radiation source 105. The control device can be provided with a manual regulator, which allows a user to adjust the radiation intensity of the radiation source 105. The regulator can be configured by a mechanical interface or an electronic interface.
[0030] Furthermore, the exposure apparatus 100 comprises a timer device 109 for energizing the radiation source 105 for a given time domain. The timer device 109 is an electronic control device that operates the radiation source for a given time domain, for example 60 seconds. In addition, a manual regulator may be provided that allows the user to adjust the time domain. The regulator may be configured by a mechanical interface or an electronic interface.
[0031] The exposure apparatus 100 may include an electronic controller that may control the radiation source 105 as well as other functions of the exposure apparatus 100. The controller may include a microprocessor that may execute various control programs. In addition, the exposure apparatus 100 may also include a heating device for heating the dental object 101 or a molding device for shaping the dental object 101.
[0032] 2 shows a block diagram of a method for exposing a dental object 101. In step S101, the dental object 101 is placed at a predetermined position in the cavity 103 of the exposure tool 100. In step S102, the dental object 101 is exposed to light with a wavelength of more than 350 nm and 10 W / cm 2 The dental object 101 is exposed to light with a power density of more than 1000 nm, thereby activating the dental object so that, for example, coloring can be performed while the temperature treatment is being performed. Additionally, the method may also include the step of manufacturing or shaping the dental object or the step of thermally treating the dental object.
[0033] The use of radiation with a wavelength of more than 350 nm allows exposure to a greater penetration depth in the material volume of the dental object 101. In addition, the effective exposure time is significantly shorter. Exposure and activation of glasses and glass ceramics to achieve a coloring throughout the volume after heat treatment can be carried out more efficiently with said radiation. Exposure or activation can be carried out throughout the material volume of the dental object 101.
[0034] The use of radiation with wavelengths above 350 nm allows the use of smaller and simpler equipment and optics, and allows shorter exposure times for staining. The exposure apparatus 100 can be used in combination with manufacturing methods (CAM: Computer Aided Manufacturing). In that case, exposure or activation can be performed during cutting and shaping of the dental object. The exposure apparatus 100 can be used simultaneously with a heat treatment, for example in a kiln. In that case, exposure or activation can be performed during thermal hardening, crystallization or sintering.
[0035] All the features described and illustrated in relation to individual embodiments of the invention can also be the subject of the invention in various combinations, whereby advantageous simultaneous advantages are achieved.
[0036] All method steps may be performed using apparatus suitable for performing each method step. All functions performed by the feature of interest may be considered as method steps in this method.
[0037] The scope of protection of the present invention is defined by the appended claims and is not limited by the features described or illustrated in the description. [Explanation of symbols]
[0038] 100 Exposure device 101 Dental Objects 103 Cave 105 Radiation source 107 Strength adjustment device 109 Timer device 111 position
Claims
1. a cavity (103) for accommodating a dental object (101); Wavelengths above 350 nm and 10 W / cm ２ and a radiation source (105) for exposing the dental object (101) with a power density of 1000 nm or more. An exposure apparatus (100) for exposing a dental object (101).
2. 2. The exposure apparatus (100) of claim 1, wherein the radiation source (105) is configured to expose the dental object (101) with a wavelength of more than 500 nm or more than 700 nm.
3. The exposure apparatus (100) of claim 1 or 2, wherein the radiation source (105) is configured to emit radiation having a power of more than 1 W.
4. 4. The exposure apparatus (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the radiation source (105) is formed by a laser, a light emitting diode or a mercury lamp.
5. The exposure apparatus (100) of claim 4, wherein the laser is a titanium sapphire laser or a Nd:YAG laser.
6. 6. The exposure apparatus (100) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the radiation source (105) is arranged to emit radiation in the wavelength range of 350 nm to 1800 nm, more preferably 350 nm to 1500 nm, particularly preferably 350 nm to 1100 nm.
7. The exposure apparatus (100) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the exposure apparatus (100) comprises an intensity adjusting device (107) for adjusting the radiation intensity of the radiation source (105).
8. An exposure apparatus (100) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the maximum and / or average radiation intensity of the radiation source (105) is 100W or 300W.
9. 9. The exposure apparatus (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the exposure apparatus (100) comprises a timer device (109) for energizing the radiation source (105) for a predetermined time period.
10. Wavelengths above 350 nm and 10 W / cm ２ 2. A method for exposing a dental object (101), comprising the step (S102) of exposing the dental object (101) using a power density of greater than 1000 nm.
11. The method of claim 10, wherein the wavelength is greater than 700 nm.
12. 12. The method according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the power of the radiation is greater than 1 W.
13. 13. The method according to claims 10 to 12, wherein radiation is emitted in the wavelength range of 350 nm to 1800 nm, more preferably 350 nm to 1500 nm, particularly preferably 350 nm to 1100 nm.
14. A method according to any of claims 10 to 13, comprising exposing the dental object (101) in a given time domain.
15. 10. An exposure system (200) comprising an exposure apparatus (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 9 and a dental object (101) comprising a polychromatic glass and / or a polychromatic glass-ceramic.