Manufacturing heavyweights 3M, Ivoclar Vivadent settle suit

ST. PAUL, Minn. & SCHAAN, Liechtenstein-- 3M and Ivoclar Vivadent announced today that they have settled a patent lawsuit in Germany involving a processed zirconia coloring technology. As a result of the settlement, Ivoclar Vivadent will license this patented technology from 3M.

The technology enables the coloring of unshaded zirconia by color-matching dental restorations to the natural color of patients’ teeth. Since 3M developed and launched this technology, much of the industry colors unshaded dental zirconia using this process. 3M remains open to licensing this technology to other interested parties.

Ivoclar Vivadent, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of innovative material systems for high-quality dental applications, features a comprehensive portfolio of products and systems, strong research and development capabilities and a clear commitment to training and further education. 3M ESPE Dental, meanwhile, is part of 3M Health Care which offers solutions in the medical, oral care, drug delivery, food safety and health information markets. 3M ESPE markets more than 2,000 dental products and services.