New method of tooth construction manufacturing – laser milling – worked out by Russian scientists

The technology of laser milling for tooth construction manufacturing has been worked out in MEPhI. When using laser radiation in the near infrared region of waves' length there appear great possibilities of the creation of effective ways of material processing with the aim of modelling and getting different kinds of crownworks and dentures.

Stomatological prosthesis market develops actively every year. Traditional ways of ceramic samples manufacturing, in particular mechanical milling, appear to be ineffective to fulfill tasks. They show low efficiency, require substantial expenditure for tooling, manual labour and don't provide enough flexibility in modeling and getting necessary tooth constructions. New technologies for high-speed and effective forming of ceramic crownworks and dentures of complex shapes, dental plates of small thickness are required.

The method worked out in MEPhI is an alternative technology to mechanical milling and has a lot of technological and economic advantages. At first, lasers don't have consumables unlike dental cutters with chemical vapour deposition diamond coating which need to be changed from time to time because of their wear-out. At second, lasers have an advantage of thin-walled construction manufacturing, i.e.50-100 microns. Such plates look like natural teeth in any lighting. Mechanical works produce such effect only by lamplight. At third, laser treats materials more carefully. It saves time, increases the accuracy and lowers the price of the denture.

Provided by National Research Nuclear University