Methods for preparing chair-side dental crowns

Abstract

The invention provides a method of forming dental restorations, particularly dental crowns. The method involves applying a flexible spacer material having a polymerization system capable of being activated by light to a prepared tooth surface. A composite crown-forming material is dispensed into a transparent plastic matrix. The matrix is placed in the mouth of the patient so the composite material is molded over the tooth surface coated with the spacer material. Then, the composite is irradiated with curing light, through the matrix, so that it hardens to form a dental crown. The crown is removed, trimmed and finished, and then permanently affixed to the tooth.

1 . A method of forming a permanent dental crown, comprising in sequence the steps of:
 providing a polymerizable flexible spacer material having a polymerization system capable of being activated by light;   applying the spacer material to a prepared tooth surface and polymerizing the composition so that it substantially hardens;   dispensing a composite crown-forming material into a substantially transparent plastic matrix, the composite material having a polymerization system capable of being activated by light;   placing the plastic matrix in a mouth of a patient so the composite material is molded over the tooth surface;   irradiating the composite material in the plastic matrix with light so the composite material hardens to form a crown;   removing the hardened crown from the surface of the tooth and finishing the crown so it is ready to be mounted permanently on the tooth; and   permanently affixing the finished crown to the tooth using permanent dental cement.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the composite crown-forming material is prepared from a base and catalyst paste. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the composite crown-forming material comprises a photopolymerization initiator. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the photopolymerization initiator is camphorquinone (CQ). 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the composite material is irradiated with blue, visible light having a wavelength in the range of about 400 to about 500 nm.