Method for manufacturing a dental restoration

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a dental restoration, the method comprising a building step (S2) of preparing build data for a dental tool machine for machining the dental restoration from a workpiece by a building means, wherein the build data defines at least the geometric shape of the dental restoration in the workpiece, and a starting step (S3) of starting machining the dental restoration from the workpiece in accordance with the build data, characterized in that the method further comprises a preparing step (S4) of starting preparation of the dental tool machine by equipping the dental tool machine with at least all consumables required to start the starting step (S3) before the end of the building step (S2), and completing preparation of the dental tool machine before the start step (S3) begins.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a dental manufacturing system for manufacturing a dental restoration. The present invention relates in particular to a method for manufacturing a dental restoration. [Background technology]

[0002] In the prior art, dental restorations are typically manufactured by using a dental manufacturing system that includes an intraoral scanner for performing an intraoral scan of the patient, a dental tool machine for machining the dental restoration from a workpiece, and CAD / CAM software running on a PC connected to the intraoral scanner and the dental tool machine. The CAD / CAM software utilizes the scan data generated by the intraoral scanner to prepare build data for the dental tool machine for machining the dental restoration from the workpiece. The build data defines the geometry of the dental restoration in the workpiece.

[0003] FIG. 1a illustrates a workflow for manufacturing a dental restoration according to the prior art. As FIG. 1a shows, the workflow includes a scanning step (S1′) in which an intraoral scan of a patient is performed by using an intraoral scanner connected to a PC. The workflow further includes a building step (S2′) in which building data for a dental tool machine for machining a dental restoration from a workpiece is prepared by a CAD / CAM software in the PC. By the aforementioned steps, the design of the dental restoration for machining and its position in the workpiece are fully determined. Then, as the workflow in FIG. 1a shows, in a starting step (S3′), machining of the dental restoration from the workpiece is started by the PC according to the building data. Then, in a preparation step (S4′), the operator is prompted by the PC to equip the dental tool machine with one or more dental tools for cutting and grinding, a workpiece, and essential consumables such as a cooling lubricant typically provided in a replaceable tank. If necessary, during the preparation step (S4′), the dental tool is replaced by a new one by the operator and the tank is replaced by a tank filled with new lubricant by the user. As shown in Fig. 1a, during the preparation step (S4'), the dental tool machine measures the workpiece and the dental tool by touching actions to perform calibration. After calibration, the dental restoration is machined, i.e. cut and grinded, until the machining process is completed. During machining, a cooling lubricant is sprayed on the workpiece and the dental tool in a closed circulation loop.

[0004] All the steps mentioned above can be performed in the dentist's practice while the patient is present. Therefore, the overall time spent in manufacturing a dental restoration is a significant factor. Long waiting times lead to patient restlessness and increased manufacturing costs.

[0005] Apart from important factors such as production time and cost, the quality of the dental restoration is also important. Commercially available workpieces and dental tools vary in size, shape and material. In a preparation step (S4'), the dental tool machine needs to be equipped by the operator with the right workpiece, the appropriate dental tool and the right cooling lubricant. If the remaining service life of the cooling lubricant is insufficient or if the dental tool does not strictly match the specific requirements of the machining, there is a risk that the dental restoration cannot be machined with the desired quality. In the worst case, the dental tool may exceed its total service life or its remaining service life if it was previously used in a preceding machining process. In such a case, the dental tool will break and the dental restoration will be damaged. In less serious cases, the machining of the dental restoration will be completed with an 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 be dissatisfied with the quality. Summary of the Invention

[0006] It is an object of the present invention to provide a method for producing dental restorations which overcomes the problems of the prior art as far as possible and reduces production times and costs.

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

[0008] These objects are achieved by a method for manufacturing a dental restoration according to claim 1 and by a dental manufacturing system according to 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 building step of preparing building data for a dental tool machine for machining a dental restoration from a workpiece by a building means, the building data defining at least a geometric shape of the dental restoration in the workpiece, a starting step of starting machining the dental restoration from the workpiece according to the building data, and a finishing step of the building step. before , beginning preparation of the dental tool machine by equipping the dental tool machine with all consumables required to at least begin the start step, and beginning the start step before and a preparation step of completing preparation of the dental tool machine.

[0010] The main advantageous effect of the present invention is that the construction of the dental restoration and the setup of the dental tool machine can be parallelized and performed cooperatively, for example, by a PC with CAD / CAM software, which can effectively reduce the production time and production costs. Another main advantageous effect of the present invention is that it can ensure that all operating conditions are met in advance when starting machining with the dental tool machine, in order to ensure that machining can be started quickly without the need for an operator to interrupt. This allows the manufacturing of the dental restoration to proceed uninterrupted.

[0011] According to an embodiment of the invention, the essential consumables may comprise at least one of a dental tool, a workpiece, and a cooling lubricant provided in a tank. The cooling lubricant is not essential in case of dry machining. The dental tool machine may have one or more carriage units, each for driving one or more dental tools to enable parallel machining. The dental tool is mountable on a dental tool motor in the carriage unit. The workpiece or preferably a multi-workpiece holder is mountable on a movable shaft in the dental tool machine. The tank storing the cooling lubricant is preferably replaceably mountable on a cooling lubricant circulation unit of the dental tool machine.

[0012] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the dental manufacturing system preferably comprises a scanning means, for example an intraoral scanner, connected to a PC, preferably having CAD / CAM software. In the scanning step, the patient is intraoral scanned by the scanning means for generating scan data that can be used to determine the dental restoration to be constructed in the construction step. The construction means is also preferably constituted by a PC, having CAD / CAM software, which utilizes the scan data. Alternatively, an impression of the patient's teeth or similar can be scanned extraoral using the extraoral scanner.

[0013] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the preparation step is preferably started before the start of the building step, which, unlike the prior art, allows parallelizing the building of the dental restoration and the equipment of the dental machine, ensuring a ready state well before the start of machining.

[0014] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the preparation step may further be started before the start of the scanning step, or simultaneously with the start of the scanning step, or before the end of the scanning step.

[0015] According to one embodiment of the invention, the dental tool machine has communication means for bidirectional communication with a PC to obtain information regarding all required consumables in the preparation step. Alternatively, the information may be manually entered into the dental tool machine by an operator through a user interface of the dental tool machine or another input means. The input means may be a USB port or similar. The user interface preferably has a display. The display is preferably touch sensitive.

[0016] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the dental tool machine is preferably provided with an auto-equipping means capable of acquiring information about all the essential consumables, and in a preparation step, the dental tool machine is automatically equipped with one or more of the essential consumables by the auto-equipping means according to the acquired information about all the essential consumables.

[0017] According to an alternative embodiment of the invention, the dental tool machine is preferably manually equipped with one or more of the essential consumables by an operator in a preparation step according to the acquired information regarding all the essential consumables, and the dental tool machine preferably provides guidance to the operator by a user interface when equipmenting the dental tool machine.

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

[0019] According to an embodiment of the invention, the dental tools used in the manufacturing method of the invention are preferably each provided with a small RFID tag. The small RFID tag is preferably of the read-only type. The small RFID tag preferably comprises a small air-core coil. The small RFID tag stores dental tool specific information specifically related to the dental tool. The dental tool specific information comprises at least one unique ID for uniquely identifying the dental tool, for example a Universally Unique Identifier (UUID). The dental tool specific information preferably further comprises information regarding at least one of the following: type, manufacturer, lot number, length and concentricity of the dental tool. The identification means of the dental tool machine preferably comprises a transceiver unit for reading and / or writing the small RFID tag.

[0020] According to an embodiment of the invention, the tank for storing the cooling lubricant used in the manufacturing method of the invention is preferably provided with an RFID tag. The RFID tag is preferably of the 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 comprises at least one unique ID for uniquely identifying the cooling lubricant, for example a Universally Unique Identifier (UUID). The cooling lubricant specific information preferably further comprises information regarding at least one of the type and manufacturer of the cooling lubricant. The identification means of the dental tool machine preferably comprises a transceiver unit for reading and / or writing the RFID tag of the tank.

[0021] According to an alternative embodiment of the invention, instead of an RFID tag or miniature RFID tag, an optically readable medium may be used, and thus the identification means may be provided with an optical reader for reading the optical medium.

[0022] According to an embodiment of the invention the dental manufacturing system preferably comprises a determining means for determining, in a determining step, the remaining useful life or usage time of one or more essential consumables used in the machining of the workpieces, the determining means preferably consisting of a PC having CAD / CAM software for monitoring the operation of the dental tool machine.

[0023] According to alternative embodiments, the dental tool's small RFID tag and / or the tank's RFID tag are each preferably of the read and write type. In these alternative embodiments, the dental tool specific information preferably further comprises the remaining useful life of the dental tool or alternatively the usage time of the dental tool, both of which can be determined by the determination means of the dental tool machine and written by the transceiver unit to the dental tool's small RFID tag. In these alternative embodiments, the cooling lubricant specific information preferably further comprises the remaining useful life of the cooling lubricant or alternatively the usage time of the cooling lubricant, both of which can be determined by the determination means of the dental tool machine and written by the transceiver unit to the corresponding RFID tag of the tank.

[0024] According to one embodiment of the invention, the workpieces used in the manufacturing method of the invention are preferably each provided with a QR code. Bar codes or other optically readable media may alternatively be used. The QR code stores workpiece-specific information specifically related to the workpiece. The workpiece-specific information comprises at least one unique ID for uniquely identifying the workpiece, for example a Universally Unique Identifier (UUID). The workpiece-specific information preferably further comprises information on at least the type, manufacturer, material, size, shrinkage rate, color of the workpiece. The identification means of the dental tool machine preferably comprises an optical unit, such as a camera, for reading the QR code or the like.

[0025] According to an embodiment of the invention the dental tool machine is preferably provided with communication means for transmitting information to and / or receiving information from a data storage unit for storing at least dental tool specific information of the one or more different dental tools mentioned above and / or lubricant specific information of the one or more different cooling lubricants in the tank and / or workpiece specific information of the one or more different workpieces. The data storage unit may also be internal to the dental tool machine or external to the dental tool machine, e.g. in a PC or in the cloud and accessible via a network, internet or the like.

[0026] According to an embodiment of the invention, the dental tool machine preferably comprises a measuring means, by means of which the dental tool machine measures the required consumables equipped in a preparation step and / or whether the dental tool machine is calibrated. Calibration can be measured by various touching actions, for example by using a sensor, where the workpiece is touched with a dental tool. The filling level of the cooling lubricant can be measured with a corresponding sensor.

[0027] According to an embodiment of the invention, the dental tool machine preferably comprises a checking means, by means of which the dental tool machine checks in the preparation step whether one or more aggregates essential for starting the start step are properly functioning and ready for use. Such aggregates include, for example, cooling lubricant circulation units and the like.

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

[0029] The invention also provides a computer-based dental manufacturing system comprising the above-mentioned functional units / components for manufacturing a dental restoration, the computer-based dental manufacturing system performing the method steps of the invention.

[0030] In the following description, further aspects and advantageous effects of the present invention will be further elaborated using exemplary embodiments and by referring to the drawings. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0031] [Figure 1a] 1 is a workflow for manufacturing a dental restoration according to the prior art; [Figure 1b] 1 is a workflow for manufacturing a dental restoration according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0032] The dental manufacturing system of the invention (not shown) comprises a dental tool machine for machining a dental restoration from a workpiece, a scanning means such as an intraoral scanner, and a PC with CAD / CAM software. Other functional means, parts or units of the dental manufacturing system are described below. The dental manufacturing system operates according to the dental restoration manufacturing method of the invention.

[0033] Fig. 1b partially illustrates a method for manufacturing a dental restoration according to an embodiment of the present invention, comprising a scanning step (S1) of intraoral scanning of a patient by a scanning means to generate scan data for determining the dental restoration to be built, a building step (S2) of preparing by a building means, i.e. a PC, build data for a dental tool machine to machine the dental restoration from a workpiece, where the build data defines at least the geometric shape of the dental restoration in the workpiece, a start step (S3) of starting machining the dental restoration from the workpiece according to the build data, and an end of the building step (S2). before, starting preparation of the dental tool machine by equipping the dental tool machine with all consumables required to at least start the start step (S3), and starting the start step (S3). before and a preparation step (S4) of completing preparation of the dental tool machine.

[0034] The essential consumables include at least one dental tool, a workpiece, and a cooling lubricant provided in a tank. The dental tool can be inserted into a dental tool motor in a carriage unit of the dental tool machine. The workpiece or a multi-workpiece holder can be inserted into a shaft of the dental tool machine. The tank can be replaceably mounted in a cooling lubricant circulation unit of the dental tool machine.

[0035] In one embodiment, the preparation step (S4) is started before the start of the construction step (S2). In other alternative embodiments, the preparation step (S4) is started before the start of the scanning step (S1), or at the same time as the start of the scanning step (S1), or before the end of the scanning step (S1).

[0036] In one embodiment, the dental tool machine comprises an automatic loading means, by which the dental tool machine is automatically loaded with one or more of the required consumables in a preparation step (S4).

[0037] In an alternative embodiment, the dental tool machine is manually equipped with one or more of the required consumables by an operator with guidance of a user interface of the dental tool machine in a preparation step (S4).

[0038] In one embodiment, the dental tool machine has a communication means. The dental tool machine obtains information about all the required consumables in the preparation step (S4) by communicating with another device, preferably a PC, by the communication means. Alternatively, in the preparation step (S4), the information about all the required consumables is manually input by an operator through a user interface of the dental tool machine or another input means. The input means can be a USB port or similar.

[0039] In one embodiment, the dental tool machine has an identification means, which includes a transceiver unit for reading and writing (hereinafter also referred to as "scan" for short in Fig. 1b) the small RFID tag of the dental tool, another transceiver unit for reading and writing the RFID tag of the tank containing the cooling lubricant, and a camera for reading the QR code of the workpiece. In a preparation step (S4), the dental tool machine determines by the identification means whether the dental tool machine is correctly equipped with the essential consumables according to the obtained information on all essential consumables and is ready for use.

[0040] In alternative embodiments, rather than an RFID tag or miniature RFID tag, an optically readable medium may be used, and thus the identification means may be provided with an optical reader, camera or the like for reading the medium.

[0041] In one embodiment, the dental manufacturing system has a determining means for determining the remaining useful life or usage time of one or more essential consumables used in the machining of the workpiece. In the determining step, the remaining useful life or usage time of one or more essential consumables used in the machining of the workpiece is determined by the determining means. The remaining useful life or usage time of the dental tool can be written to a small RFID tag of the dental tool or a separate data storage unit for retrieval. Similarly, the remaining useful life or usage time of the cooling lubricant of the tank can also be written to an RFID tag of the tank or 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 a medical site or a cloud.

[0042] In one embodiment, the dental tool machine comprises a measuring means for measuring the required consumables equipped and / or whether the dental tool machine is calibrated. The dental tool machine measures the required consumables equipped and / or whether the dental tool machine is calibrated in a preparation step (S4) by means of the measuring means. The measuring means comprises one or more touch sensors. The measurement of the dental tool, the measurement of the workpiece and the calibration are performed by touching the workpiece with the dental tool in various ways. The measuring means comprises a filling level sensor for measuring the filling level of the cooling lubricant in the tank.

[0043] In one embodiment, the dental tool machine comprises an inspection means, which inspects in the preparation step (S4) whether one or more assemblies essential for starting the start step (S3) are present, functioning properly and ready for use, e.g. the workpieces, the multi-workpiece holder, the movable shaft of the multi-workpiece holder, the dental tool motor, the carriage unit, the cooling lubricant circulation unit and the like are all inspected. The following is a summary of the claims as originally filed: [1] A method for producing a dental restoration, comprising: a building step (S2) of preparing by a building means building data for a dental tool machine for machining said dental restoration from a workpiece, said building data defining at least a geometric shape of said dental restoration within said workpiece; - an initiation step (S3) of commencing machining of the dental restoration from the workpiece in accordance with the build data; A method comprising: characterised in that the method further comprises a preparation step (S4) of starting preparation of the dental tool machine by equipping the dental tool machine with all consumables required for starting at least the start step (S3) before the end of the construction step (S2) and completing preparation of the dental tool machine before the start of the start step (S3), method. [2] The method according to [1], characterized in that the preparation step (S4) is initiated before the start of the construction step (S2). [3] The dental tool machine is characterized in that in the preparation step (S4), one or more of the required consumables are automatically loaded by an automatic loading means. The method according to [1] or [2]. [4] The dental tool machine is, in the preparation step (S4), manually equipped with one or more of the required consumables by an operator under the guidance of a user interface of the dental tool machine. The method according to [1] or [2]. [5] The dental tool machine, in the preparation step (S4), obtains information about all the required consumables by communicating with another device via a communication means or by manual input by an operator via a user interface of the dental tool machine or another input means. The method according to any one of [1] to [4]. [6] The method according to [5], characterized in that in the preparation step (S4), the dental tool machine determines by an identification means whether the dental tool machine is correctly equipped with the required consumables and ready for use according to the information acquired by the dental tool machine. [7] The method according to [6], characterized in that in the preparation step (S4), the dental tool machine measures the required consumables equipped by a measuring means and / or determines whether the dental tool machine is calibrated. [8] The method according to [6] or [7], characterized in that in the preparation step (S4), the dental tool machine checks by an inspection means whether one or more assemblies essential for starting the starting step (S3) are functioning properly and are ready for use. [9] A method according to any one of [1] to [8], further comprising a step of determining by a determination means the remaining useful life or usage time of one or more essential consumables used in the machining of the workpiece.

[10] The method according to any one of [1] to [9], characterized in that the essential consumables comprise at least one of a dental tool, the workpiece, and a cooling lubricant provided in a tank.

[11] A method according to any one of [1] to

[10] , further comprising a scanning step (S1) of performing an intraoral scan of the patient or an extraoral scan of an impression of the patient's teeth using a scanning means for generating scan data for determining the dental restoration to be constructed in the construction step (S2).

[12] The method according to

[11] , characterized in that the preparation step (S4) is started before the start of the scanning step (S1), or simultaneously with the start of the scanning step (S1), or before the end of the scanning step (S1).

[13] A computer program comprising computer-executable code for causing a computer-based dental manufacturing system to carry out the steps of the method according to any one of [1] to

[12] .

[14] A computer-readable storage device storing the computer program described in

[13] .

[15] A computer-based dental manufacturing system for producing dental restorations, characterized in that the computer-based dental manufacturing system is adapted to perform the steps of the method according to any one of [1] to

[12] .

Claims

1. 1. A method for producing a dental restoration, comprising the steps of: a building step (S2) of preparing by a building means building data for a dental tool machine for machining said dental restoration from a workpiece, said building data defining at least a geometric shape of said dental restoration within said workpiece, - a starting step (S3) of starting machining the dental restoration from the workpiece according to the build data; A method comprising: a preparation step (S4) of initiating preparation of the dental tool machine before the end of the construction step (S2) by equipping at least the dental tool machine with all consumables required to start the start step (S3), and completing preparation of the dental tool machine before the start of the start step (S3), The preparation step (S4) is started before the start of the construction step (S2), The essential consumables include at least one of a dental tool, the workpiece, and a cooling lubricant provided in a tank. method.

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

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

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

5. 5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that the dental tool machine, in the preparation step (S4), determines by an identification means whether the dental tool machine is correctly equipped with the required consumables according to the information acquired by the dental tool machine and is ready for use.

6. 6. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that the dental tool machine, in the preparation step (S4), measures by a measuring means the required consumables it is equipped with and / or whether the dental tool machine is calibrated.

7. 7. The method according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the dental tool machine checks, in the preparation step (S4), by means of a checking means, whether one or more assemblies essential for starting the starting step (S3) are functioning properly and ready for use.

8. 8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising the step of determining by a determining means the remaining useful life or usage time of one or more essential consumables used in said machining of said workpiece.

9. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that it further comprises a scanning step (S1) of performing an intraoral scan of the patient or an extraoral scan of a dental impression of the patient by a scanning means for generating scan data for determining the dental restoration to be constructed in the construction step (S2).

10. 10. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that the preparation step (S4) is started before the start of the scanning step (S1), or simultaneously with the start of the scanning step (S1), or before the end of the scanning step (S1).

11. A computer program comprising computer executable code for causing a computer based dental manufacturing system to carry out the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

12. A computer readable storage device storing a computer program according to claim 11.

13. A computer-based dental manufacturing system for producing a dental restoration, characterized in that the computer-based dental manufacturing system is adapted to carry out the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

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