3M announced today it has settled a patent infringement lawsuit in Germany involving technology that enables the coloring of ceramic-based dental restorations. As a result of the settlement, Whitepeaks Dental Solutions will license this patented technology from 3M.
3M’s patented technology enables the coloring of ceramics by color-matching dental restorations to the natural color of patients’ teeth. 3M has licensed its patents to much of the dental industry, including, but not limited to, Vita Zahnfabrik H. Rauter GmbH & Co. KG, and Vident, Inc., Dentsply Prosthetics U.S. LLC and Dentsply International Inc., Zirkonzahn GmbH, Wieland Dental + Technik GmbH & Co. KG, Ivoclar Vivadent AG, and Metoxit AG. Through these licensees, patients around the world enjoy the benefits of dental restorations matching the natural color of their teeth. 3M remains open to licensing this technology to other interested parties.
3M is committed to improving oral care through continuous R&D investments. The company's dental division, 3M ESPE, has been recognized as the most innovative dental company for the past nine years by the Anaheim Group. This distinction is awarded based on the number of patent filings, 510k clearances and new product introductions.
3M ESPE Dental is part of 3M Health Care, which offers solutions in the medical, oral care, drug delivery, food safety and health information markets. 3M ESPE products are designed to help make dentistry easier, faster and better for dental professionals and their patients.
About 3M
3M captures the spark of new ideas and transforms them into thousands of ingenious products. Our culture of creative collaboration inspires a never-ending stream of powerful technologies that make life better. 3M is the innovation company that never stops inventing. With $31 billion in sales, 3M employs 89,000 people worldwide and has operations in more than 70 countries. For more information, visit www.3M.com or follow @3MNews on Twitter.
3M and ESPE are trademarks of 3M or 3M Deutschland GmbH.
3MFanna Haile-Selassie, 651-736-0876Fhaile-selassie@mmm.com
