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US4957441A
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Method of enhancing the curing of a photocurable dental restorative material
Assignee: 3M Co
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Filing: 1988-12-20
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Granted: 1990-09-18
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Expires: 2008-12-20
Abstract
Abstract Photocurable restorative materials for making dental restorations usually are highly filled with fillers such as amorphous silica, quartz or glass powder having limited translucency to curing radiation. Thus the underside of the restoration may not become adequately photocured. Better curing at the underside is achieved by applying a coating of fluorescent or reflective material beneath the restorative material. When exposing the restorative material to radiant curing energy, the resulting fluorescence or reflectance by the coating enhances the degree of cure of the underside of the restoration.
Inventors
- 👤 Thomas T. Bryan
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 10:23
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61C; A61C5/00; A61C5/30; A61K; A61K6/00; A61K6/80; A61K6/884; A61K6/887; A61C19/00; A61C19/003
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
91 words
Method of enhancing the cure of a photocurable restorative material comprising the steps of: (a) applying to a dental substrate or model thereof a coating comprising an amount, sufficient to increase the hardness of the underside of a photocurable dental restorative after photocuring, of a fluorescent material that, when exposed to radiant energy, fluoresces at a wavelength at which the restorative material photocures, (b) applying a thin layer of the restorative material over the coating, and (c) exposing the layer to radiant energy of said wavelength to photocure the restorative material.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
91 words
Method of enhancing the cure of a photocurable restorative material comprising the steps of: (a) applying to a dental substrate or model thereof a coating comprising an amount, sufficient to increase the hardness of the underside of a photocurable dental restorative after photocuring, of a fluorescent material that, when exposed to radiant energy, fluoresces at a wavelength at which the restorative material photocures, (b) applying a thin layer of the restorative material over the coating, and (c) exposing the layer to radiant energy of said wavelength to photocure the restorative material.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
Method as defined in claim 1, wherein the coating applied in step a) includes a release material to permit the cured restorative material to be removed from said substrate or model.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
Method as defined in claim 1, wherein the coating applied in step (a) is substantially transparent and has a thickness less than about 1 mm.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
Method as defined in claim 1, wherein the fluorescent material has an emission peak at about 400 to about 600 nanometers.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
Method as defined in claim 1, wherein the fluorescent material comprises a pigment.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
11 words
Method as defined in claim 5, wherein the pigment is yellow.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
Method as defined in claim 1, wherein the fluorescent material comprises a rodamine or perylene dye.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
Method as defined in claim 1, wherein the amount of fluorescent material is at least about 0.01 weight percent of the coating.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
Method as defined in claim 1, wherein the amount of fluorescent material is about 0.02 to about 1 weight percent of the coating.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
Method as defined in claim 1, wherein the coating is substantially free from opacifying filler.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
Method as defined in claim 1, wherein the thickness of the layer applied in step (b) exceeds 2 mm.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
Method as defined in claim 1, wherein after the restorative material is photocured, it comprises an occlusal inlay.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
14 words
Method as defined in claim 1, wherein the substrate comprises a tooth or teeth.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
88 words
Method of enhancing the cure of a photocurable restorative material comprising the steps of: (a) applying to a dental substrate or model thereof a coating comprising an amount, sufficient to increase the hardness of the underside of a photocurable dental restorative after photocuring, of a reflective material that reflects radiant energy at a wavelength at which the restorative material photocures, (b) applying a thin layer of the restorative material over the coating, and (c) exposing the layer to radiant energy of said wavelength to photocure the restorative material.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
88 words
Method of enhancing the cure of a photocurable restorative material comprising the steps of: (a) applying to a dental substrate or model thereof a coating comprising an amount, sufficient to increase the hardness of the underside of a photocurable dental restorative after photocuring, of a reflective material that reflects radiant energy at a wavelength at which the restorative material photocures, (b) applying a thin layer of the restorative material over the coating, and (c) exposing the layer to radiant energy of said wavelength to photocure the restorative material.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
14 words
Method as defined in claim 14, wherein the reflective material comprises finely-divided aluminum powder.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
22 words
Method as defined in claim 14, wherein the amount of reflective material is at least about 1 weight percent of the coating.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
31 words
Method as defined in claim 14, wherein the coating applied in step (a) includes a release material to permit the cured restorative material to be removed from said substrate or model.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
25 words
Method as defined in claim 14, wherein the coating applied in step (a) is substantially transparent and has a thickness less than about 1 mm.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
15 words
Method as defined in claim 14, wherein the coating is substantially free from opacifying filler.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
19 words
Method as defined in claim 14, wherein the thickness of the layer applied in step (b) exceeds 2 mm.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
18 words
Method as defined in claim 14, wherein after the restorative material is photocured, it comprises an occlusal inlay.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
14 words
Method as defined in claim 14, wherein the substrate comprises a tooth or teeth.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
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| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1993-09-17 | 1994-03-19 | 1994-09-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-09-17 | 1998-03-19 | 1998-09-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-09-17 | 2002-03-19 | 2002-09-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |