Method for producing dental composite blocks

Abstract

A hollow-cylindrical device (1) having first and second openings (2, 3) for continuous production of a dental composite block. A curable composite material (4) and a temperature control unit (5) are provided. The composite material (4) is introduced into the device (1) through the first opening. The composite material (4) is cured by energy from the temperature control unit (5). An energy input occurs across a defined length of the substantially hollow-cylindrical device (1) and/or for a defined period of time. The composite material (4) is subsequently guided through the first opening (2) of the device (1). The composite material (4) is discharged from the second opening (3). In a first region along a portion of the length of the device, the device is either provided with an insulation or the flow-through device has a heat conductivity of 0.05 to 12 W/(m×K).

1 - 14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . A Method of producing dental composite blocks comprising the steps of:
 providing a substantially hollow cylindrical mold;   providing a curable composite material;   providing a focusable heat source;   placing the curable composite material into the substantially hollow cylindrical mold; and   curing the introduced curable composite material by means of a heat transfer to the substantially hollow cylindrical mold, whereby the composite material does not move relative to the mold, wherein the wall of the substantially hollow cylindrical mold is configured to have a thermal conductivity in the range of 0.05 to 12 W/(m×K).   
     
     
         16 . A method according to  claim 15 , wherein the substantially hollow-cylindrical mold is formed in the shape of a container. 
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 15  comprising compressing the introduced curable composite material in the mold without air, wherein compressing of the introduced, curable composite material in the mold, is carried out by gravitation, sedimentation or pressing. 
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 15 , wherein the curing of the introduced, curable composite material is effected by means of a successive heat transfer to the essentially hollow cylindrical mold. 
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 15 , wherein the wall of the substantially hollow cylindrical mold has a thermal conductivity in the range of 0.14 to 1.2 W/(m×K). 
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 15 , wherein a holder for further processing the composite material into a dental restoration is attached to the cured composite material. 
     
     
         21 . The method according to  claim 15 , wherein the substantially hollow cylindrical mold, is configured to have substantially the dimensions of a dental composite block. 
     
     
         22 . The method according to  claim 15 , wherein the composite material comprises >40% by weight filler. 
     
     
         23 . The method according to  claim 15 , wherein the heat source and the substantially hollow cylindrical mold are arranged to be adjustable in height. 
     
     
         24 . The method according to  claim 15 , wherein the heat source or the substantially hollow cylindrical mold is arranged to be adjustable in height.