Dental reparative article and method of manufacturing and installing

Abstract

A crown for a damaged tooth is manufactured via metal injection molding and features an opening into which can be applied flowable dual-cure tooth colored material.

I/We claim: 
     
         1 . The method of creating an interim restorative crown for a previously damaged anterior tooth comprising the steps of:
 Approximating the appearance of representative teeth similar to a damaged tooth for which said crown is desired;   Designing said crown to resemble the associated representative teeth; and,   Manufacturing said crown via metal injection molding techniques.   
     
     
         2 . The method of creating an interim restorative crown for a previously damaged anterior tooth comprising the steps of:
 fitting a scaffold about said prepared tooth wherein said scaffold defines a pocket, which pocket substantially conforms to the profile of said tooth; said scaffold having an opening therein; said scaffold being made via metal injection molding;   fitting said scaffold to said tooth such that an empty space exists between the said scaffold and prepared said tooth; and,   injecting flowable composite material into the said space through the opening.   
     
     
         3 . The novel method of  claim 2 , wherein said composite material is a dual-cure composite material. 
     
     
         4 . The novel method of  claim 2 , wherein said step of filing said scaffold overfills the opening; and further comprising the step of:
 Shaping said cured, dual-cure composite material.   
     
     
         5 . The novel method of  claim 4 , further comprising the step of:
 Polishing cured dual-cure composite material.   
     
     
         6 . The novel method of  claim 2 , wherein the opening in the facial panel of said scaffold includes
 substantially all of said facial panel.   
     
     
         7 . The method of creating an interim restorative crown for a previously damaged anterior tooth comprising the steps of:
 fitting a scaffold about said anterior tooth wherein said scaffold defines a pocket, which pocket substantially conforms to the profile of said tooth;   adding a quantity of composite material to the interior pocket of said scaffold;   curing, finishing and polishing said crown.   
     
     
         8 . The novel method of  claim 5 , wherein said composite material is a dual-cure composite material.