Abstract: Condensing instruments are used for packing and condensing in connection with placement of dental composite resin restorative materials. These instruments are manufactured in metal or plastic material. Some composite resins however, contain hard particles and require a relatively large condensing pressure which causes abrasion of superficial fragments of prior art metal instruments. These fragments are confined in the restorative material and causes discoloration, often after oxidation. Plastic instruments quickly loose their surface finish, which may render it impossible to perform an adequate condensation. In order to provide an instrument which does not cause discoloration and which guarantees a durable function, at least one functional member (4 and/or 5) of the instrument consists of a metal alloy having a coating (6 and/or 7) of ceramic material which provides the working surface (8 and/or 9) of the functional member.

Abstract: A method for restoring a tooth which involves applying to the tooth a glass filler comprising a porous three-dimensional network of inorganic fibres bonded to each other at their points of contact and the porosity of which is substantially continuous throughout the network admixed with a polymeric material.

Abstract: A method of producing a composite of organic resin and inorganic porous particles, preferably for use as a dental restoration material, which comprises impregnating porous inorganic particles with an at least partially hardenable resin material, compressing or otherwise applying pressure in such a way that the particles contact each other and the pressure in the resin is equalized by viscous flow of excess resin through the pores of the inorganic particles, bonding together by hardening of at least a portion of the hardenable resin material, thereby forming a resin structure including a contiguous inorganic phase.