Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for assessing stress relaxation in a dental arch-appliance orthodontic system. The information about stress relaxation in the clear aligner-arch system helps monitor the orthodontic treatment progress translated in teeth displacements and improve both patient's treatment compliance and timely treatment completion. The present invention relates to the efficacy of clear aligners by measuring or displaying the magnitude of residual stresses in the arch-aligner system. The measured magnitude of residual is indicative of the teeth displacement and the appropriate time to move to the next stage of the aligner treatment plan.

Abstract: A process for preparing a prosthetic element comprising a glass-ceramic body. including the steps of a) providing a basic body comprising an amorphous glass phase and containing the components of the glass-ceramic body to be prepared, and b) transferring energy to the basic body to induce conversion of a starting phase of the material of the basic body into at least one crystalline phase in a confined region. According to the invention, energy is transferred to the confined region of the basic body by laser irradiating said region with a laser beam having a wavelength of at least 500 nm.

Abstract: Body made of a ceramic material, the body having as an integral part thereof a surface region reaching from the surface of the body down to a predetermined depth. According to the invention, the surface region is enriched with a calcium component thereby forming a hydrophilic surface area.

Abstract: A process for preparing a prosthetic element comprising a glass-ceramic body. including the steps of a) providing a basic body comprising an amorphous glass phase and containing the components of the glass-ceramic body to be prepared, and b) transferring energy to the basic body to induce conversion of a starting phase of the material of the basic body into at least one crystalline phase in a confined region. According to the invention, energy is transferred to the confined region of the basic body by laser irradiating said region with a laser beam having a wavelength of at least 500 nm.

Abstract: Body made of a ceramic material, the body having as an integral part thereof a surface region reaching from the surface of the body down to a predetermined depth. According to the invention, the surface region is enriched with a calcium component thereby forming a hydrophilic surface area.

Abstract: A piezoelectric ceramic composition comprising: a matrix material comprising at least two matrix components having a perovskite structure or consisting of said matrix components; a first matrix component being selected from (Bi0.5A0.5)EO3 and BaEO3; and a further matrix component being Bi(Me0.5E0.5)O3, wherein A is selected from an alkali metal, particularly sodium or potassium, or a mixture of alkali metals; wherein E is independently selected from titanium, zirconium and mixtures of titanium and zirconium; and wherein Me is selected from bivalent metals.