| Dental restorative formula selector and methods of use -> Monitor Keywords |
|
|
  Dental restorative formula selector and methods of useRelated Patent Categories: Dentistry, Apparatus, Tooth Selection GuideDental restorative formula selector and methods of use description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060029900, Dental restorative formula selector and methods of use. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 10/272,488 filed Oct. 16, 2002, now allowed, the disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference. FIELD OF INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates generally to dental restoratives. More particularly, the invention relates to a dental restorative formula selector for use in preparing a dental restorative and methods of using the same. BACKGROUND [0003] Dental restoratives include, for example, bridges, inlays, onlays, veneers, filling materials, composite materials, entire artificial teeth, etc. To repair or replace a damaged tooth, it is desirable to match the restored or replacement tooth to approximate the original tooth's color or shade characteristics. [0004] Practitioners typically use a shade guide to aid in matching the dental restorative to the patient's existing teeth. In general, a shade guide includes a number of tabs, teeth, or other indicia that each show a different shade. The shade guide may, in some instances, provide a dental restorative formula for matching a particular shade. The practitioner then prepares the dental restorative of the given shade using the provided dental restorative formula and applies the dental restorative according to techniques known in the art. [0005] New dental composite systems for preparing dental restoratives are often created with a layering technique in mind. It has been found that teeth tend to have varying shades, translucency, and opacity through their structures. To approximate these variances, practitioners may layer several dental restorative compositions of varying shades to provide a more natural looking dental restorative that blends well with the patient's existing teeth. When utilizing the layering technique, different body, dentin, enamel, and incisal shades and opacities might be used. However, when presented with a system of thirty or more different shades and opacity options, the practitioner needs guidance as to which shades are most appropriate and which dental restorative compositions to use. [0006] Further, not all dentists are willing to perform this multi-layering technique, particularly if the technique requires the use, e.g., of three or more different dental restorative compositions. In addition, not all restorations are of a size and/or location that require a multi-layer approach. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0007] The present invention provides a dental restorative formula selector including a formula matrix. The dental restorative formula selector provides multiple options for a practitioner to prepare dental restoratives of different shades and opacities. A practitioner, using the dental restorative formula selectors of the present invention, is able to choose from two or more dental restorative formulas correlated to each tooth shade for application to at least one tooth of a patient's teeth. At least one of the dental restorative formulas provided to the practitioner for a selected tooth shade includes two or more dental restorative composition codes. The practitioner may then select the relative complexity of the formula to be used. In other instances, if the practitioner does not have one or more dental restorative compositions required by a multi-composition dental restorative formula, then the practitioner may choose a less complex formula for the selected tooth shade. [0008] As used herein, a "dental restorative composition" is defined as a composition that may be used to prepare a dental restorative. [0009] As used herein, a "dental restorative composition code" is an alpha-numeric code or any other indicia representative of a dental restorative composition. [0010] As used herein, a "dental restorative formula" is a sequence or recipe for preparing a dental restorative. The dental restorative formulas of the present invention may include one or more dental restorative composition codes. [0011] In one aspect, the present invention provides a method of identifying a dental restorative formula. The method includes selecting a tooth shade and providing two or more dental restorative formulas correlated to the tooth shade. Each formula of the two or more dental restorative formulas includes at least one dental restorative composition code, and at least one dental restorative formula of the two or more dental restorative formulas includes at least two dental restorative composition codes. The method further includes selecting one dental restorative formula from the two or more dental restorative formulas as a selected dental restorative formula. [0012] In another aspect, the present invention provides a method of identifying a dental restorative formula, including selecting a tooth shade, and providing a dental restorative formula selector including a formula matrix on a first major surface of a medium. The formula matrix includes a plurality of tooth shade markings and a plurality of dental restorative formulas. Two or more dental restorative formulas of the plurality of dental restorative formulas are correlated to each tooth shade marking of the plurality of tooth shade markings. The method further includes providing two or more dental restorative formulas correlated to the tooth shade using the dental restorative formula selector. Each formula of the two or more dental restorative formulas includes at least one dental restorative composition code, and at least one dental restorative formula of the two or more dental restorative formulas comprises at least two dental restorative composition codes. The method further includes selecting one dental restorative formula from the two or more dental restorative formulas as a selected dental restorative formula. [0013] In another aspect, the present invention provides a dental restorative formula selector. The dental restorative formula selector includes a medium including a first major surface and a formula matrix on the first major surface of the medium. The formula matrix includes a plurality of tooth shade markings and a plurality of dental restorative formulas. Two or more dental restorative formulas of the plurality of dental restorative formulas are correlated to each tooth shade marking of the plurality of tooth shade markings. Further, each dental restorative formula of the plurality of dental restorative formulas includes at least one dental restorative composition code, and at least one dental restorative formula of the two or more dental restorative formulas correlated to each tooth shade marking includes at least two dental restorative composition codes. [0014] In another aspect, the present invention provides a dental restorative kit, including a dental restorative formula selector. The selector includes a medium including a first major surface and a formula matrix on the first major surface of the medium. The formula matrix includes a plurality of tooth shade markings and a plurality of dental restorative formulas. Two or more dental restorative formulas of the plurality of dental restorative formulas are correlated to each tooth shade marking of the plurality of tooth shade markings. Further, each formula of the plurality of dental restorative formulas includes at least one dental restorative composition code, and at least one dental restorative formula of the two or more dental restorative formulas includes at least two dental restorative composition codes. The dental restorative kit further includes at least one dental restorative composition. [0015] In another aspect, the present invention provides a dental restorative formula selector computer system, including a display and a memory device. A formula matrix is stored in the memory device. The formula matrix includes a plurality of tooth shade markings and a plurality of dental restorative formulas. Two or more dental restorative formulas of the plurality of dental restorative formulas are correlated to each tooth shade marking of the plurality of tooth shade markings. The computer system further includes a controller in communication with the memory device and the display. The controller is operable to receive a selected tooth shade input, compare the selected tooth shade input to the formula matrix stored in the memory, and provide the two or more dental restorative formulas correlated to the selected tooth shade input using the formula matrix. Each dental restorative formula of the plurality of dental restorative formulas includes at least one dental restorative composition code. Further, at least one dental restorative formula of the two or more dental restorative formulas correlated to each tooth shade marking includes at least two dental restorative composition codes. The controller is further operable to display the two or more dental restorative formulas on the display. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0016] FIG. 1 is a diagram of one dental restorative formula selector according to the present invention. [0017] FIG. 2 is a diagram of another dental restorative formula selector including a selector element according to the present invention. [0018] FIG. 3 is a diagram of the selector element of the dental restorative formula selector of FIG. 2. [0019] FIG. 4 is a diagram of the medium of the dental restorative formula selector of FIG. 2. Continue reading about Dental restorative formula selector and methods of use... Full patent description for Dental restorative formula selector and methods of use Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Dental restorative formula selector and methods of use patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Dental restorative formula selector and methods of use or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Developed face bow and protraction headgear in correction of anterior openbite class iii patients Next Patent Application: Automatic control for dental applications Industry Class: Dentistry ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Dental restorative formula selector and methods of use patent info. IP-related news and info Results in 0.11219 seconds Other interesting Feshpatents.com categories: Medical: Surgery , Surgery(2) , Surgery(3) , Drug , Drug(2) , Prosthesis , Dentistry |
||
