Continental Dental Ceramics, doing business as Continental Dental Laboratories, has received a patent for the process of the fabrication of dental restorations. US Patent 10,182,895 covers the technology and application behind gelcasting zirconia restorations without the need for machinable pre-sintered zirconia blocks.
This technique eliminates the need for traditional zirconia pucks, disks, blocks, burs, and milling machines, according to the company. Dental restorations are created by preparing a hydrocolloid mold for such dental appliances as crowns and bridges. A slurry of powdered zirconia is prepared and gelcast in the hydrocolloid mold.
Using the new method, zirconia restorations are achieved through the gelcasting of zirconia into the desired mold, shape, or restoration. Toxicity is not an issue for the doctor or patient. The final restoration is then sintered to complete the finished device. Also, the process produces less material zirconia waste because there is no grinding and less block waste compared to machinable pre-sintered blocks.
“Gelcasted zirconia can be used to fabricate dental restorations, medical prosthetics, and virtually anything, any size, and shape without the need for milling machines, burs, and zirconia blocks,” said Jerry Doviack, CDT and founder of Continental Dental Lab. “It could be a game-changer, and the market for zirconia prosthetics is growing exponentially worldwide.”
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