Dentistry – Method or material for testing – treating – restoring – or... – By filling – bonding or cementing
Patent
1994-08-12
1996-10-22
Lucchesi, Nicholas D.
Dentistry
Method or material for testing, treating, restoring, or...
By filling, bonding or cementing
433215, A61C 504, A61C 500
Patent
active
055671560
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Technical Field of the Invention
Generally, the present invention relates to tooth restoration.
More precisely, the invention concerns a prefabricated inlay for restoring a tooth by application and fixation in a cavity prepared in the tooth and having essentially the same shape as the inlay part adapted for insertion.
The invention also bears upon an inlay holder for the application of a prefabricated inlay in a cavity prepared in a tooth and having essentially the same shape as the inlay part adapted for insertion.
The invention further encompasses a method for tooth restoration by applying and fixing a prefabricated inlay in a cavity prepared in the tooth and having essentially the same shape as the inlay part adapted for insertion.
Finally, the invention relates to a tooth restoration set for implementing the method.
2. Prior Art
Tooth restorations can be divided into indirect and direct restorations. In indirect restorations, an impression of a prepared cavity is made and employed for producing an inlay of e.g. porcelain or gold. Such restorations have, inter alia, the disadvantage of being time-consuming, and thus necessitate at least two visits to the dentist. Also, these restorations, which are fairly expensive, require the use of a temporary filling while the final inlay is being produced.
In direct restorations, use is commonly made of amalgam or composite materials. The composite materials have been developed to replace amalgam, but they are not suitable for large fillings, since they shrink when cured, have a relatively low abrasion resistance and strength, and involve the risk of gaps arising in the interface between the filling and the tooth.
Prefabricated inlays, preferably of ceramic material, have been developed as a further alternative to amalgam fillings. By using prefabricated inlays, a prepared cavity can be filled more or less completely with the inlay which is fixed therein, e.g. by a composite material. With this technique, the effect of the shrinkage of the composite material is considerably reduced. However, a certain risk of gap formation remains, unless the inlay covers the entire cavity opening. This also goes for the abrasion risk. Further, prior-art techniques for applying and fixing a prefabricated inlay in a cavity are imperfect, in that they do not enable accurate positioning and rapid fixation of the inlay in the cavity.
OBJECT AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The object of the present invention is, therefore, to provide an improved prefabricated inlay, as well as improved techniques for applying and fixing such an inlay in a prepared cavity.
According to the invention, this object is achieved by a prefabricated inlay which is of the type mentioned by way of introduction, and which is characterised in that it has a pin which projects from the inlay part not adapted for insertion and which is arranged to be received in an inlay holder, and that the whole inlay is made of a material translucent to light that is suitable for curing a light-curing material used for fixing the inlay in the cavity. Since the pin can be received in an inlay holder, it is possible to have total control of the positioning of the inlay in the cavity. Owing to the fact that the inlay is made of the above translucent material and the fact that a light-curing material is used for fixing the inlay in the cavity, fixation can be rapidly performed by guiding light via the inlay to the surrounding fixation material in the cavity.
To achieve perfect control of the positioning of the inlay when inserted in the cavity, the pin conveniently has a round cross-sectional shape to be received in an optional rotational position in a corresponding recess in the inlay holder.
For cavities that can be given a circular opening, the inlay according to the invention is conical and has the same cone angle as a burr used for preparing the cavity opening. Thus, the inlay can be made to completely fill at least the cavity opening, thereby eliminating the risk of gap formation. The material of t
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patent: 5030093 (1991-07-01), Mitnick
patent: 5272184 (1993-12-01), Shoher et al.
Greven Rolf
Hagne Leif
Lucchesi Nicholas D.
Nordiska Dental AB
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