Radioopaque peek based block for use in a CAD/CAM system for the manufacture of a dental restauration

Abstract

Block for use in a CAD/CAM system for the manufacture of a dental restauration, said block consisting of a thermoplastic polymer comprising PEEK including radiopaque particles selected from the group comprising BaZrO.sub.3, YbF.sub.3, Yb.sub.2O.sub.3, SrO, SrZrO.sub.3, SiO.sub.2ZrO.sub.2, SiO.sub.2Yb.sub.2O.sub.3, Lu.sub.2O.sub.3, LuF.sub.3.

Claims

1. A block for use in a CAD/CAM system for the manufacture of a dental restoration, which dental restoration is a crown, bridge, abutment or bar, said block consisting of a thermoplastic polymer comprising PEEK including radiopaque particles, wherein said particles are selected from the group consisting of BaZrO.sub.3, YbF.sub.3, Yb.sub.2O.sub.3, SrZrO.sub.3, SiO.sub.2ZrO.sub.2, SiO.sub.2Yb.sub.2O.sub.3, Lu.sub.2O.sub.3 and LuF.sub.3.

2. The block according to claim 1, wherein radiopaque particles are selected from the group consisting of YbF.sub.3 and Yb.sub.2O.sub.3.

3. The block according to claim 1, wherein radiopaque particles are particles of LuF.sub.3.

4. The block according to claim 1, wherein the radiopaque particles have a particle size lower than 1 m.

5. The block according to claim 4, wherein the radiopaque particles have a particle size of from 0.2 m to 0.9 m.

6. The block according to claim 2, wherein the radiopaque particles have a particle size lower than 1 m.

7. The block according to claim 6, wherein the radiopaque particles have a particle size of from 0.2 m to 0.9 m.

8. The block according to claim 3, wherein the radiopaque particles have a particle size lower than 1 m.

9. The block according to claim 8, wherein the radiopaque particles have a particle size of from 0.2 m to 0.9 m.

10. The block according to claim 1, wherein particles represent at least 2% by weight of total polymer weight.

11. The block according to claim 2, wherein particles represent at least 2% by weight of total polymer weight.

12. The block according to claim 3, wherein particles represent at least 2% by weight of total polymer weight.

13. The block according to claim 4, wherein particles represent at least 2% by weight of total polymer weight.

14. The block according to claim 6, wherein particles represent at least 2% by weight of total polymer weight.

15. The block according to claim 8, wherein particles represent at least 2% by weight of total polymer weight.

16. The block according to claim 1, wherein said polymer is pellet like in the form of a pellet.

17. A block for use in a CAD/CAM system for the manufacture of a dental restoration, which dental restoration is a crown, bridge, abutment or bar, said block consisting of a thermoplastic polymer comprising PEEK including radiopaque particles, wherein said particles are selected from the group consisting of BaZrO.sub.3, YbF.sub.3, Yb.sub.2O.sub.3, SrZrO.sub.3, SiO.sub.2ZrO.sub.2, SiO.sub.2Yb.sub.2O.sub.3, Lu.sub.2O.sub.3 and LuF.sub.3, and one or more pigments.

18. The block according to claim 1, wherein the dental restoration is a crown, abutment, or bar.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(1) As above explained, metallic oxydes, most particularly, heavy metals or rare earths compounds, barium sulfate, carbonates, are well-known to confer radiopaque properties to polymer-based composite materials. Particles are mixed together with the resin and the remainder material components during the manufacturing.

(2) Preferred particles of the invention are selected from barium oxide (BaO), zirconium oxide (ZrO.sub.2), barium zirconate (BaZrO.sub.3), ytterbium fluorure (YbF.sub.3), ytterbium oxide (Yb.sub.2O.sub.3) and a combination thereof for biocompatibility, implementation (dispersion, mechanical, optical (transparency), and cost reasons.

(3) Radiopaque compounds consist of particles having preferably a spherical, rod-like or any other shapes. These particles may be functionnalised as well. Particles size is lower than 1 m, preferably ranging from 0.2 to 0.9 m.

(4) In another embodiment, particles represent at least 2% by weight of total polymer weight.

(5) MMA-based (Mthyl Mthacrylate) is the preferred component for functionalizing these particles due to its structure which makes easier its incorporation into PEEK.

(6) Thus, radiopaque polymer formed can be used as medical implant material such as spinal, orthopedic, dental implants or dental block CAD CAM. It may also be used as polymeric matrix of a reinforced-fibers composite material in dental post, abutments applications . . . .

(7) In an embodiment, the invention concerns a block for use in a CAD/CAM system for the manufacture of a dental restauration, said block consisting of a thermoplastic polymer comprising PEEK including radiopaque particles selected from the group comprising BaO, ZrO.sub.2, BaZrO.sub.3, YbF.sub.3, Yb.sub.2O.sub.3, SrO, SrZrO.sub.3, SiO.sub.2ZrO.sub.2, SiO.sub.2Yb.sub.2O.sub.3, Lu.sub.2O.sub.3, LuF.sub.3.

(8) Advantageously, radiopaque particles are selected among YbF.sub.3, Yb.sub.2O.sub.3 or LuF.sub.3, Lu.sub.2O.sub.3.

(9) The blocks of the invention are deprived of calcium and phosphates.

(10) In some embodiments, the block contains pigments as coloring agent.

(11) As dental restauration, the invention covers crowns, brides, abutments, bars . . . .

(12) Many other embodiments may be possible for someone with ordinary skills in the art.

(13) In practice, radiopaque polymer pellets are first ground and then cooled depending on the applications.

EXAMPLES

(14) The goal of this example is to study the radiopacity of a block made of PEEK including Yb.sub.2O.sub.3

(15) Material:

(16) Sample A: PEEK

(17) Sample B: PEEK 12% Yb.sub.2O.sub.3

(18) Sample C: PEEK 24% Yb.sub.2O.sub.3

(19) Method:

(20) The method corresponds to that disclosed in ISO 4049.

(21) The sample are square having a length of around 5 mm and a thickness of 10.1 mm

(22) 5 density measurements are made by sample. Measurements correspond to an equivalency of thickness of aluminium and then is divided by the thickness for obtaining the equivalency of 1 millimeter of material by aluminum millimeter.

(23) Sample A is not radiopaque. Samples B and C have a percentage aluminium equivalent of 113% and 303% and are both radiopaque.