3M said it has filed a patent infringement lawsuit against Danville Materials in a federal district court in Minnesota.

3M alleged that Danville’s sales of ZNano universal nanocomposite materials infringe 3M’s patent rights directed to nanofiller technology used in 3M ESPETM Filtek Supreme universal restoratives.

In a press release, 3M said its patented nanofiller technology enables high aesthetic quality, strength and wear resistance.

According to 3M, Filtek Supreme Universal Restorative was the first nanotechnology-based dental composite utilising engineered nanoparticles that result in unsurpassed polish retention and excellent strength.

It added that over 400 million restorations have been performed globally using the Filtek Supreme product line and it is the number one selling dental nanocomposite in the US.

3M’s dental division, 3M ESPE, has been recognised as the most innovative dental company for the past ten years by the Anaheim Group.

“3M ESPE is committed to protecting its innovative nanofiller technology and associated intellectual property,” said James Ingebrand, vice president, 3M ESPE.

With $32 billion in sales, its 90,000 employees connect with and serve customers all around the world. (AR)