US6488503B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Prosthetic teeth and method of making therefor
Assignee: Dentsply Research and Development Corp
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Filing: 2000-12-12
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Granted: 2002-12-03
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Expires: 2020-12-12
Abstract
Abstract A process for producing an artificial tooth comprising: injection molding polymerizable material into a mold to form an outer external polymeric layer. Then injection molding polymerizable material into the mold to form an inner polymeric layer applied on the first external layer. Then injection molding polymerizable material into the mold to form a solid core applied on the inner external layer.
Inventors
- 👤 Andrew M. Lichkus
- 👤 Wayne C. Bollinger
- 👤 Scott E. Shaffer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 22:04
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61C; A61C13/00; A61C13/08; A61C13/09; A61C13/087; A61C13/20; A61C13/206
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
228 words
Process for producing an artificial tooth comprising: injection molding a first portion of polymerizable material into a mold, and polymerizing said first portion of polymerizable material to form a first external polymeric layer ( 3 ) injection molding a second portion of polymerizable material onto said first external polymeric layer, and polymerizing said second portion of polymerizable material to form an inner polymeric layer ( 2 ) applied on the first external layer ( 3 ) and injection molding a third portion of polymerizable material onto said inner layer, and polymerizing said third portion of polymerizable material, to form a solid core ( 1 ) applied on the inner layer ( 2 ), said polymerizable material comprising a blend of: (A) from 0% to about 50% of an uncross-linked polymer capable of dissolving in component (B); (B) from about 20% to about 66% of a monofunctional polymerizable monomer; (C) from about 10% to about 70% of a cross-linked polymer in the form of discrete particles having average diameters up to about 500 microns and being swellable in said monomer; and (D) from about 7% to about 27% of a di- or polyfunctional cross-linking agent reactive with said polymerizable monomer; said percentages being based upon the total weight of A, B, C and D in said composition, said composition being capable of being hardened into a water insensitive object.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
228 words
Process for producing an artificial tooth comprising: injection molding a first portion of polymerizable material into a mold, and polymerizing said first portion of polymerizable material to form a first external polymeric layer ( 3 ) injection molding a second portion of polymerizable material onto said first external polymeric layer, and polymerizing said second portion of polymerizable material to form an inner polymeric layer ( 2 ) applied on the first external layer ( 3 ) and injection molding a third portion of polymerizable material onto said inner layer, and polymerizing said third portion of polymerizable material, to form a solid core ( 1 ) applied on the inner layer ( 2 ), said polymerizable material comprising a blend of: (A) from 0% to about 50% of an uncross-linked polymer capable of dissolving in component (B); (B) from about 20% to about 66% of a monofunctional polymerizable monomer; (C) from about 10% to about 70% of a cross-linked polymer in the form of discrete particles having average diameters up to about 500 microns and being swellable in said monomer; and (D) from about 7% to about 27% of a di- or polyfunctional cross-linking agent reactive with said polymerizable monomer; said percentages being based upon the total weight of A, B, C and D in said composition, said composition being capable of being hardened into a water insensitive object.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the tooth is produced in a single injection process by controlled, metered injection of several polymerizable components such that the tooth body builds up from the outside to the inside.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The process according to claim 1 , characterized in that multiple teeth, are injection-molded by means of one injection molding tool.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
75 words
The process of claim 1 wherein a family of prosthetic teeth is formed by said process, said family of prosthetic teeth comprising a first tooth in a first set of teeth having a first ratio of the shade layer length (S) to back length (B) and a second tooth in a second set of teeth having a second ratio of the shade layer length to back length, said first and second ratios being substantially equal.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
The process of claim 4 wherein said end of first and second tooth is an incisor and said first ratio is within 5 percent of being equal to said second ratio.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
101 words
The process of claim 1 wherein a family of prosthetic teeth is formed by said process, said family of prosthetic teeth, comprising: a first tooth in a first set of teeth, said first tooth having a first overall labial length (L), and a first back length (B), and a second tooth in a second set of teeth, said second tooth having a second overall labial length, and a second back length, the ratio of the first overall labial length to the second overall labial length being substantially equal to the ratio of the first back length to the second back length.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
53 words
The process of claim 6 wherein said first tooth has a first shader length and said second tooth has a second length and the ratio of said first shader length to said first overall labial length is substantially equal to the ratio of said second shader length to said second overall labial length.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
12 words
The process of claim 7 wherein each said tooth is a molar.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
12 words
The process of claim 7 wherein each said tooth is an incisor.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
12 words
The process of claim 7 wherein each said tooth is a canine.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
The process of claim 7 wherein said first shader length is substantially equal to 68 percent of said first overall labial length.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
40 words
The process of claim 6 wherein the ratio of the first overall labial length to the second overall labial length is within 5 percent of being equal to the ratio of the first back length to the second back length.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
12 words
The process of claim 6 wherein each said tooth is an incisor.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
12 words
The process of claim 6 wherein each said tooth is a canine.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
22 words
The process of claim 6 wherein said first back length is substantially equal to 94 percent of said first overall labial length.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
23 words
The process of claim 1 wherein said cross-linked polymer is present in an amount of from about 13% to about 52% by weight.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
23 words
The process of claim 1 wherein said uncross-linked polymer is present in an amount of from about 13% to about 34% by weight.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
23 words
The process of claim 1 wherein said polymerizable monomer is present in an amount of from about 25% to about 55% by weight.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2005-12-02 | 2006-06-03 | 2006-12-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-12-02 | 2010-06-03 | 2010-12-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-12-02 | 2014-06-03 | 2014-12-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |