Method of making a denture with nature bite and wear properties and denture
View Patent ↗The present invention to a method of denture manufacture that incorporates CAM-formed occlusal portions made of zirconia, resulting in a natural fit, feel, and wear essentially similar to the wear properties of natural teeth.
1. A method for making dentures, said method comprising the steps of:
a. Evaluating a patent to determine desired denture parameters;
b. Fabricating a first denture according to said desired denture parameters;
c. Electronically storing a three-dimensional shape and size of said first denture;
d. Preparing at least one tooth for attachment to a zirconia portion;
e. Preparing a zirconia portion for attachment to said at least one tooth,
where each said zirconia portion is sized and shaped to create a denture approximating the desired denture parameters when attached to the said at least one tooth; and
f. Attaching said zirconia portion to said at least one tooth to create a second denture, where said second denture approximates said desired denture parameters.
2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the steps of:
a. Test fitting said second denture to the patient;
b. Assessing the patient; and
c. Shaping a said zirconia portion responsively to said assessment.
3. The method of claim 2 , further comprising the step of permanently attaching said zirconia portion to said at least one tooth.
4. The method of claim 3 , wherein said step of preparing said at least one tooth comprises milling, cutting, or forming one tooth.
5. The method of claim 3 , wherein said step of preparing said at least one tooth comprises milling, cutting, or forming two teeth.
6. The method of claim 3 , wherein said step of preparing said at least one tooth comprises milling, cutting, or forming three teeth.
7. The method of claim 3 , wherein said step of preparing said at least one tooth comprises milling, cutting, or forming four or more teeth.
8. The method of claim 3 , wherein said step of electronically storing the three-dimensional shape and size of said first denture comprises storing the three-dimensional shape and size of said first denture in a CAD program.
9. The method of claim 8 , wherein one or more of the step of fabricating a first denture and the step of preparing at least one tooth is performed by a CAM mill.
10. The method of claim 9 , wherein the step of preparing a zirconia portion comprises the substeps of:
a. Forming said zirconia portion to a first shape and a first size; and
b. Sintering said zirconia portion to a first shape and a second size, wherein said first shape and second size are selected to create a second denture approximating said desired denture parameters.
11. The method of claim 10 , wherein the substep of forming said zirconia portion to a first shape and a first size is performed by a CAM mill.
12. The method of claim 11 , wherein said first shape and first size are determined using the electronically stored three-dimensional shape and size of said first denture.
13. The method of claim 12 , wherein the substep of sintering further comprises sintering said zirconia portion at approximately 1500 degrees Celsius.
14. The method of claim 13 , wherein the substep of sintering further comprises sintering said zirconia portion for between approximately 8 and approximately 12 hours.
15. The method of claim 14 , wherein the substep of sintering further comprises sintering said zirconia portion for approximately 10 hours.
16. The method of claim 15 , wherein said first size is approximately 15% to approximately 20% larger than said second size.
17. The method of claim 16 , wherein said first size is approximately 17.8% larger than said second size.
18. A custom denture with at least one zirconia portion, said denture comprising:
a base portion configured to overfit at least a portion of a patient's gums, said base portion comprising one or more sockets;
plastic artificial teeth attached to said sockets, at least one of said teeth prepared for attachment to a zirconia portion; and
at least one zirconia portion attached to said at least one prepared tooth;
wherein said custom denture has desired parameters.
19. The custom denture of claim 18 , wherein said denture is a full denture.
20. The custom denture of claim 19 , wherein said denture is a partial denture.