3M wins patent infringement dispute over dental restorations

US conglomerate 3M has won a patent infringement lawsuit against Germany company Dental Direkt over a technology that enables the colouring of ceramic-based dental restorations.

Earlier this month, the District Court of Dusseldorf in Germany ordered an injunction against Dental Direkt. The court also granted damages claims dating back to December 2008.

Dental Direkt was additionally ordered to reimburse 3M’s litigation costs.

While Dental Direkt has filed an opposition against the European patent cited by 3M, the US conglomerate has enforced the court’s ruling by providing a security bond.

The technology provided by 3M enables the colouring of unshaded ceramics by colour-matching dental restorations to the natural colour of the patients’ teeth.