Abstract: The dental composite includes a resin base and a combination of a short-cut fiber filler and a particulate filler. The short-cut fibers may be made of a glass or a polymer, and may have an average length of about 2 mm to about 6 mm. The particulate filler includes a ground structural filler, which consists of particles having an average particle size of between about 0.05 ?m and about 0.5 ?m, and a microfiller, which consists of particles having a mean particle size of about 0.04 ?m or less. The cured dental composite provides high strength, an improved wear resistance, a dramatically improved fracture resistance and a high gloss retention in simulated extended clinical wear.

Abstract: A dental composite having high filler loading and low shrinkage thereby providing good strength and marginal integrity. Through the use of prepolymerized filler particles in combination with a structural filler and a nanofiller, the composite exhibits very low shrinkage and is useful in stress bearing restorations and in cosmetic restorations. The structural filler used is ground to a mean particle size of less than 0.5 ?m and the nanofiller has discrete particles of a mean particle size less than 100 nm to improve handling and mechanical characteristics. The prepolymerized filler particles also allow for less viscosity and better handling characteristics of the composite.

Abstract: A dental composite having high filler loading and low shrinkage thereby providing good strength and marginal integrity. Through the use of prepolymerized filler particles in combination with a structural filler and a nanofiller, the composite exhibits very low shrinkage and is useful in stress bearing restorations and in cosmetic restorations. The structural filler used is ground to a mean particle size of less than 0.5 &mgr;m and the nanofiller has discrete particles of a mean particle size less than 100 nm to improve handling and mechanical characteristics. The prepolymerized filler particles also allow for less viscosity and better handling characteristics of the composite.

Abstract: There is provided a resin-containing dental composite including a dispersed phase, reinforcing, translucent filler having about 25-80% by volume of the filler particles in the particle size range from about 0.2 &mgr;m to about 0.6 &mgr;m whereby the composite has a self-opalescing quality. Without the addition of opalescence-imparting pigments, a dental restorative composite is provided that displays opalescence to the visible eye, which gives the restoration the appearance of a vital, natural tooth. Preferably, the refractive indices of the resin and the translucent filler are the same or substantially similar, both advantageously being within the range of 1.45-1.60. Further, to prevent the opal effect from being masked, the dental restorative composite advantageously comprises less than 0.0021% by weight yellow hue pigments such that the composite formulation is relatively colorless.

Abstract: The present invention provides a dental composite which has the high strength required for load bearing restorations, yet maintains a glossy appearance, even after substantial wear. Through the use of particles having a mean particle size between about 0.05 .mu.m and about 0.50 .mu.m, the composite is useful in stress bearing restorations and in cosmetic restorations. The structural filler used is typically ground to a mean particle size of less than 0.5 .mu.m and also includes a microfill having a mean particle size less than 0.05 .mu.m to improve handling and mechanical characteristics. The preferred dental composites maintain their surface finish even after substantial use and also have the strength properties of hybrid composite resins. The structural filler is ground, typically by agitator milling, to the preferred particle size.

Abstract: An ultra high strength plastic mesh reinforcing material for forming a dental appliance or prosthesis, a method of fabricating a prosthesis therewith and a dental prosthesis made thereby are provided. The material is in the shape of a ribbon and formed of fibers, preferably of ultra high strength polyethylene, that are woven into a matrix in which yarns of the fibers preferably extend at angles to the transverse extent of the ribbon to permit the ribbon to be shaped through the adjusting of its width by a practitioner. Such yarns are preferably braided, so that diagonally angled fibers will result and no fibers are cut along the edges of the ribbon. The braid is preferably a two-over/two-under pattern that utilizes an odd number of carriers. The fibers are preferably surface activated, such as by a cold plasma treatment to enhance adherence of resin of which the appliance or prosthesis is formed.