3m Innovative Properties Company

Ryan E Johnson

Naimul Karim

Bradley Dene Craig

Kevin W Wenzel

Roger K Dawson

Howard P Wanless, Iii

A dental composition comprising a polymerizable resin comprising ethylenically unsaturated groups; a thermally activated initiator dissolved in the resin; and an inorganic filler combined with the resin in an amount greater than about 60 percent by weight based upon the weight of the composition; wherein the initiator is activated at a temperature of about 100 to about 150&#xb0; C. to provide free radicals; and wherein the filler has a surface area of at least about 65 square meters per gram filler; a dental mill block comprising the thermally cured composition, a method of manufacturing the dental mill block, and a kit comprising a plurality of the mill blocks are provided.

Dental compositions, mill blocks, and methods

A fineable dental blank assembly. The assembly can include a blank and a support coupled to the blank to facilitate machining of the blank. The blank can be adapted to be machined to form at least a portion of dental appliance, and can be formed of at least one of a glass, a glass-ceramic, a porcelain, and a ceramic. The support can be formed of at least one of a high melting point metal (or metal alloy) and a ceramic, wherein the blank and the support are separately formed. The assembly can further include a bonding composition positioned between the blank and the support. Other means for coupling the blank and the support can include a direct bond and/or mechanical inter-engagement. The assembly can be configured to withstand temperatures necessary to fire at least a portion of the assembly in a downstream firing process.

Fireable dental blank assembly

A method of making a biometric dental appliance. A first article can be formed of a first material based on a first digital surface representation having a desired outer shape of the dental appliance. A portion of the first article can then be removed to form an outer layer of the dental appliance comprising a cavity dimensioned to accommodate an inner layer. A second article can be formed by filling the cavity of the first article with a second material. The second material can have at least one different structural and/or optical property than the first material. The second article can be further processed, as desired. For example, a desired inner shape can be formed in the second article. Such a desired inner shape can be based on a second digital surface representation of a dental object configured to receive the dental appliance.

Methods of making biomimetic dental appliances

A method of making a multi-chromatic dental appliance. A first article can be formed of a first material based on a first digital surface representation having a desired outer shape of the dental appliance. A portion of the first article can then be removed to form an outer layer of the dental appliance comprising a cavity dimensioned to accommodate an inner layer. A second article can be formed by filling the cavity of the first article with a second material. The second material can have at least one different optical property than the first material. The second article can be further processed, as desired. For example, a desired inner shape of the dental appliance can be formed in the second article. Such a desired inner shape can be based on a second digital surface representation of a dental object configured to receive the dental appliance.

Methods of making multi-chromatic dental appliances

A method of making a multilayer all-ceramic dental appliance. A first article can be formed of a first material based on a first digital surface representation having a desired outer shape of the dental appliance. A portion of the first article can be removed to form an outer layer comprising a cavity dimensioned to accommodate an inner layer. A second article can be formed by filling the cavity of the first article with a second material. The second article can be further processed, as desired. For example, a desired inner shape can be formed in the second article. Such a desired inner shape can be based on a second digital surface representation of a dental object configured to receive the dental appliance. At least one of the first article, the outer layer, and the second article can be fired, for example, while still being coupled to a support.

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Peoria, IL, United States of America

Ryan E Johnson