Polycrystalline translucent alumina-based ceramic material, uses, and methods
Assignee3M Innovative Properties Company
InventorsDarren T. Castro, Richard P. Rusin
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A polycrystalline translucent aluminum oxide ceramic material having an average grain size of no greater than 1.0 micron and a Contrast Ratio value of less than about 0.7. The material can be in the form of a dental mill blank, dental prosthesis or other dental article or non-dental article.
Claims61
A polycrystalline translucent aluminum oxide ceramic material having an average grain size of no greater than 1.0 micron as measured on a polished surface and a Contrast Ratio value of less than about 0.7.
A dental mill blank comprising a polycrystalline translucent aluminum oxide ceramic material having an average grain size of no greater than 1.0 micron and a Contrast Ratio value of less than about 0.7.
A ceramic dental prosthesis comprising a polycrystalline translucent aluminum oxide ceramic material having an average grain size of no greater than 1.0 micron and a Contrast Ratio value of less than about 0.7.
A kit comprising:
- a dental mill blank comprising a polycrystalline translucent aluminum oxide ceramic material having an average grain size of no greater than 1.0 micron and a Contrast Ratio value of less than about 0.7;
- and
- instructions for using the mill blank.
A method for making a polycrystalline translucent aluminum oxide ceramic material having an average grain size of no greater than 1.0 micron as measured on a polished surface and a Contrast Ratio value of less than about 0.7, the method comprising:
- providing an aluminum oxide powder;
- forming the powder into an article having a desired shape;
- sintering the shaped article to obtain a sintered article having closed porosity;
- and
- subjecting the sintered article to hot isostatic pressing to further densify and form a densified article comprising polycrystalline translucent aluminum oxide ceramic material having an average grain size of no greater than 1.0 micron as measured on a polished surface and a Contrast Ratio value of less than about 0.7.
A method for making a dental prosthesis comprising:
- providing a dental mill blank comprising a polycrystalline translucent aluminum oxide ceramic material having an averane grain size of no greater than 1.0 micron and a Contrast Ratio value of less than about 0.7;
- and
- carving the mill blank into a desired shape.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.