Abstract: Dental restorations such as crowns, are made from lithium silicate glass ceramic that is heated and pressed onto a metal substrate, the latter being shaped to an impression or scan of the area of the mouth to receive the restoration. The metal substrate is made from an alloy selected to exhibit a coefficient of thermal expansion which is slightly greater than the CTE of the lithium silicate. In a preferred embodiment, the CTE of the lithium silicate glass ceramic is in the range of 11.5 to 12.5 and the alloy is selected to have a CTE of 12 to 13.5. A palladium tin alloy provides that CTE in the preferred embodiment.

Abstract: A process to make/seat a permanent crown in only one patient visit, without the need for a temporary crown, after a digital scan or other impression has been taken prior during a dental cleaning appointment or status check up. The dental information is filed and can be used whenever the patient needs a dental restoration to be made. The impression information will have previously been forwarded to a dental laboratory where a shell-crown can be made that is a perfect match to the outer contour of the existing tooth. Needed improvements/corrections can be made with the use of digital software. Also the margins can be determined and corrected, even in the inter-proximal spaces. Now the laboratory is able to manufacture and provide a finished shell-crown in time for the following doctor appointment of this patient.

Abstract: An improved lost wax method for fabricating dental devices, a prefabricated incisal veneer (1) is selected from among a group of said veneers having predetermined shapes, shades, and sizes. Wax is applied (2 and 3) to the incisal veneer to create a wax buildup onto a model (4) or prefabricated coping (5). Subsequently, a sprue is attached to the applied wax (2 and 3) and the wax buildup is removed from the model (4) for investing and burnout to create a lost wax mold. For a crown with a substructure, the incisal veneer (1) and the coping (5) are both cast in place with press ceramic, press thermoplastic material, or by injecting a curable resin, composite, or epoxy material into the lost wax mold.

Abstract: An improved lost wax method for fabricating dental devices, a prefabricated incisal veneer (1) is selected from among a group of said veneers having predetermined shapes, shades, and sizes. Wax is applied (2 and 3) to the incisal veneer to create a wax buildup onto a model (4) or prefabricated coping (5). Subsequently, a sprue is attached to the applied wax (2 and 3) and the wax buildup is removed from the model (4) for investing and burnout to create a lost wax mold. For a crown with a substructure, the incisal veneer (1) and the coping (5) are both cast in place with press ceramic, press thermoplastic material, or by injecting a curable resin, composite, or epoxy material into the lost wax mold.