Method of finishing resin-based dental restorations

Abstract

A method of finishing resin-based dental restorations by contouring and smoothing the surface of the dental restoration in a single step, using steel burs operating at low speed, high-torque.

1 . A method of finishing a resin-based dental restoration of a tooth, comprising the steps of: 
 preparing a dental restoration using a resin-based material; and    creating the secondary and tertiary anatomy of the dental restoration, a smooth transition between the resin-based material and tooth, and a smooth enamel-like finish in a single step, using a low speed, high torque fluted bur.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said low speed, high torque bur operates at less than about 30,000 rpm.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said low speed, high torque bur operates in a range of about 12,000 to 30,000 rpm.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said low speed, high torque bur has sufficient torque to maintain a constant speed of about 12,000 to 30,000 rpm when firm, continuous pressure is applied to the bur to fine contour said resin-based material.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said low speed, high torque bur has 8 to 30 flutes.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said low speed, high torque bur has 20 to 30 flutes.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said low speed, high torque bur is made of steel.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said low speed, high torque bur is made of tungsten carbide.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein said low speed, high torque bur has flutes that are normal to the axis of the bur or angled away from the direction of rotation.  
     
     
         10 - 15  (Canceled)  
     
     
         16 . A method of finishing a resin-based dental restoration of a tooth, comprising the steps of: 
 preparing a dental restoration using a resin-based material;    creating the rough occlusal anatomy of the dental restoration using a first low speed, high torque bur; and    creating the secondary and tertiary anatomy of the dental restoration, a smooth transition between the resin-based material and tooth, and a smooth enamel-like finish in a single step, using a second low speed, high torque fluted bur.    
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the first and second low speed, high torque burs operate at less than about 30,000 rpm.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the first and second low speed, high torque burs operate in a range of about 12,000 to 30,000 rpm.  
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the first and second low speed, high torque burs have sufficient torque to maintain a constant speed of about 12,000 to 30,000 rpm when firm, continuous pressure is applied to the bur to create the anatomy of said dental restoration.  
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the first low speed, high torque bur is a fluted bur having 8 to 16 flutes, and the second low speed, high torque bur has 8 to 30 flutes.  
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the second low speed, high torque bur has 20 to 30 flutes.  
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the second low speed, high torque bur is made of steel.  
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the second low speed, high torque bur is made of tungsten carbide.  
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the second low speed, high torque bur has flutes that are normal to the axis of the bur or angled away from the direction of rotation.