Method for finishing and fitting dental restorations and an abrasive material for doing same

Abstract

A method for finishing and fitting dental restorations is provided. The method comprises the steps of contacting the restoration surface with a stainless steel abrasive material and working the stainless steel abrasive material against the restoration surface to shape and smooth the restoration surface. The stainless steel abrasive material comprises a base having a plurality of pyramidal shapes protruding therefrom, a portion of the protrusions having a substantially polygonal base and triangular sides which meet at an apex which substantially forms a point, hereinafter pyramidal protrusions, and a portion of the protrusions having a substantially polygonal base and substantially trapezoidal sides with the portion thereof distant from the base surface forming a plateau such that the protrusions are substantially butte-like in shape, hereinafter termed butte protrusions, the protrusions providing intermixing cutting and planing edges, the ratio of the pyramidal protrusions to the butte protrusions ranging from 100:0 to 0:100. Also provided is the stainless steel abrasive material used to carry out the method.

1 . A method for finishing and fitting dental restorations comprising the steps of
 1) contacting the restoration surface with a stainless steel abrasive material and   2) working the stainless steel abrasive material against the restoration surface to shape and smooth the restoration surface,   
       wherein the stainless steel abrasive material comprises a base having a plurality of pyramidal shapes protruding therefrom, a portion of the protrusions having a substantially polygonal base and triangular sides which meet at an apex which substantially forms a point, hereinafter pyramidal protrusions, and a portion of the protrusions having a substantially polygonal base and substantially trapezoidal sides with the portion thereof distant from the base surface forming a plateau such that the protrusions are substantially butte-like in shape, hereinafter termed butte protrusions, the protrusions providing intermixing cutting and planing edges, the ratio of the pyramidal protrusions to the butte protrusions ranging from 100:0 to 0:100.