3M announced today that a court in Düsseldorf, Germany, has ordered an injunction and damages claim reaching back to December 2008 against Dental Direkt GmbH for infringement of 3M's patented technology that enables the coloring of ceramic-based dental restorations.

The court decision is based on a German patent and on the German portion of a European patent.

The court ordered Dental Direkt to reimburse 3M for its litigation costs. While Dental Direkt may appeal the court decision and has filed an opposition against the European patent enforced by 3M, 3M has decided to preliminarily enforce the court’s decision by providing a security bond.

3M’s patented technology enables the coloring of unshaded 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 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, Metoxit AG, and White Peaks Dental Solutions. 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 investments in research and development. The Anaheim Group has recognized 3M’s Oral Care Solutions Division as the most innovative dental company for the past 11 years. This distinction is awarded based on the number of patent filings, 510k clearances and new product introductions.

About 3M

At 3M, we apply science in collaborative ways to improve lives daily. With $30 billion in sales, our 90,000 employees connect with customers all around the world. Learn more about 3M’s creative solutions to the world’s problems at www.3M.com or on Twitter @3M or @3MNewsroom.

3MLori Anderson, 651-733-0831