Abstract: Compositions, particularly for forming dental products, having a hardenable self-supporting structure with sufficient malleability to be subsequently customized into a second shape and then hardened, and methods.

Abstract: Dental impression masses are described, which contain selected curable polymer systems and a mixture of a silicon-containing non-ionic surfactant that has at least one (poly)alkylene oxide group and a molecular mass of less than 6000 g/mol, and of a non-ionic fluorosurfactant containing at least one partially fluoridated or perfluoridated hydrocarbon group that is connected with a (poly)alkylene oxide group, a hydrocarbon group, an aliphatic polyhydroxy group, or heterocyclic group that contains nitrogen, by way of an oxygen atom, an amino group, a keto group, a carboxylic acid ester group, a phosphoric acid ester group, a carboxylic acid amide group and/or a phosphoric acid amide group, or of a non-ionic fluorosurfactant that has at least one partially fluoridated or perfluoridated hydrocarbon radical and at least one amino oxide radical.

Abstract: Slip for use in a hot-melt inkjet printing process which contains (A) ceramic particles, (B) wax and (C) at least one radically polymerizable monomer, and use of the slip to prepare dental restorations. Furthermore, a process for the preparation of a green compact is described, in which the slip is moulded in layers to the geometrical shape of the green compact and subjected to a radical polymerization in order to obtain a cured green compact.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method that uses digital data, such as that obtained from an intraoral scanner, to fabricate a wide range of customized laboratory appliances. The digital data is used to form a negative mold, which is in turn used to make a physical dental model. The negative mold is configured such that it can be flexed, stretched, fractured or disassembled to release the physical dental model. The physical dental model is then used for fabricating an orthodontic laboratory appliance.

Abstract: A method of making a dental blank comprises the steps of independently compacting a first and second zone of a quantity of ceramic particles. During compacting, the first and second zones have different compaction factors in at least one stage. Such blanks may be pre-sintered and used in the manufacture of dental restorations. The method may help in controlling the homogeneity of the material structure during manufacturing the blanks.

Abstract: An orthodontic archwire comprising a thermoplastic polymer. In some embodiments the thermoplastic polymer is a rigid backbone polymer including at least one of a compatibilizing side group or a solubilizing side group. The thermoplastic polymer may be heat processed to form the orthodontic archwire.

Abstract: A mouth guard with a uniform shape adapts to occlusion shapes and fits closely to teeth at an occlusion position. The mouth guard is attached to a maxillary tooth row. The mouth guard is formed from a continuous pore high-polymer material to have a characteristic that includes a plateau region of a stress to a compression strain. The mouth guard utilizes the characteristic to fit closely to the tooth rows at the occlusion portion between upper and lower tooth rows, to apply even stress to the tooth rows contacting the occlusion portion. As this result, the mouth guard provides an excellently close-fitting degree and high safety owing to high impact absorption power.

Abstract: A ceramo-ceramic dental prosthesis is made from a patient's negative mandibular impression, including at least one working cavity having an inner surface matching the lower surface of the prosthesis to be produced and left at least by one tooth primed by the dental surgeon to be prosthetized. The method of making the prosthesis includes a step of providing a single-unit wax model used for producing by precision casting a single-unit metal model on which is mounted, by the dental technician, a ceramic, the single-unit model having previously been coated with a stripping product to avoid the adherence of the ceramic on the metal single-unit model after the ceramic is cured on the single-unit metal model.

Abstract: An orthodontic bracket for coupling an archwire with a tooth. The orthodontic bracket comprising a ceramic injection molded (CIM) bracket body including an archwire slot that is configured to receive the archwire therein. The CIM bracket body comprising a polycrystalline ceramic. A coating of alumina or silicon dioxide is in continuous and direct contact with at least the surfaces of the archwire slot. The orthodontic bracket is characterized by unexpectedly high torque strength. The ceramic injection molded (CIM) bracket body may comprise a polycrystalline ceramic having a grain size distribution characterized by an average grain size in the range of larger than 3.4 ?m to about 6 ?m such that the orthodontic bracket is also characterized by unexpectedly high fracture toughness. A method of making the orthodontic bracket comprises injection molding a bracket using a ceramic powder, sintering the molded bracket, and coating the ceramic injection molded bracket.

Abstract: Inorganic materials doped with biocidal metals are useful for medical devices such as prosthetic implants, heart valves, surgical tools, endoscopes, orthodontics appliances and the like.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a multicomponent automixable putty impression material, its components, mixtures of the components and a method for obtaining impressions with the multicomponent automixable putty impression material.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a dental appliance, mouthguard and/or divers mouthpiece using an anti-microbial composition that combines the use of an elastomeric polymer composition with micronized or submicron sized particles of metal or organo/inorgano metal complexes. In addition, the use of an anti-microbial composition for use with a diver's air delivery hose to prevent breathing of contaminated air is also described.

Abstract: A dental device, in particular a dental implant, including an outer body made of ceramic or metal; and an inner body made of metal or ceramic, provided that when the outer body is made of metal the inner body is made of ceramic and when the outer body is made of ceramic the inner body is made of metal, wherein the metal body is produced by metal injection molding and the ceramic body is produced by ceramic injection molding as well as to a method for manufacturing the same.

Abstract: The present invention is related to devices utilized for retraction of the lips, tongue and oral cavity during dental procedures. In particular, the invention relates to a flexible or semi-flexible oral device used to comfortably and quickly retract the patient's lips to properly expose the patient's teeth and gums for dental procedures.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods whereby a thermally formable plastic is compounded with releasable active ingredients. The compounded plastic is then formed into a desired dental delivery device such as an anatomical membrane, tray or strip. The dental device is then placed in the oral environment where it will release or leach active ingredients. The dental device is intended to treat, alter, improve, or aid in various conditions that are often present in the oral environment.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for preparing dental restorations from ceramic or polymeric material to achieve color and opacity gradients simulating natural dentition, wherein an ingot of ceramic or polymeric material is entirely or partially forced through a system of channels in a press mold into a mold cavity in the press mold, wherein the mold cavity corresponds to a dental restoration.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a dental post according to the present invention comprises the steps of: (i) overjacketing extrusion of at least one thermoplastic material over at least one filament or yarn, such that the thermoplastic material cross-sectionally enwraps the at least one filament or yarn; (ii) solidifying the extruded product of step (i); (iii) equipping the solidified extruded product of step (ii) with a surface texture, such that the thermoplastic wrapping is not modified in a way as to expose or dam-age the at least one filament or yarn. The invention allows for more flexibility in the manufacturing of dental posts, especially in generating surface textures of such dental posts.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a dental restoration, including: determining an external form and dimensions available for a completed restoration; obtaining an image of a natural tooth to be replaced with the restoration or a tooth corresponding therewith, wherein the image comprises at least the external surface visible in use of the to be replaced or corresponding tooth, with variations in the appearance therein; defining locally on and at least to visible depth below the surface of appearance-determining properties of at least one material to be applied for the restoration in accordance with the obtained image and the variations in the appearance therein; constructing the restoration, including the steps of: providing at least one material to be applied in non-cohesive form; and providing cohesion to the material in accordance with the available form and dimensions.

Abstract: Methods of making a removable dental positioning appliance include forming a sheet of transparent crystalline polymeric material into a shell having cavities shaped to receive and reposition teeth from a first orientation to a successive orientation. The polymeric material may then be annealed at a temperature above its glass transition temperature or cured if a curable material to enhance characteristics of the polymeric material. The polymeric material may be coated with a second transparent material.

Abstract: Abutment (5) for a two-part dental implant for receiving an element that is to be applied, the abutment (5) having at least one core (75) and a cover layer (70). The at least one core (75) and the cover layer (70) are visually and/or acoustically distinct from each other.

Abstract: An orthodontic bracket for coupling an archwire with a tooth includes a bracket body that has an archwire slot adapted to receive the archwire. A movable member is engaged with the bracket body and is movable between an opened position and a closed position. The bracket body is made from a transparent or translucent polycrystalline ceramic for improved aesthetics. The movable member may comprise the polycrystalline ceramic. The polycrystalline ceramic has a grain size distribution characterized by an average grain size in the range of larger than 3.4 ?m to about 6 ?m. The polycrystalline ceramic may have a fracture toughness of at least 4.0 MPa·m1/2. The grain size distribution may not be characterized as a lognormal distribution and may be a multimodal distribution. The polycrystalline ceramic may comprise aluminum oxide or alumina. The grain size distribution may be characterized by having up to about 50% of the grains being less than about 3 ?m in size.

Abstract: A system of manufacturing a custom set of pre-manufactured upper and lower dentures is provided. In one form, a set of master upper and lower dentures is created. The master upper and lower dentures are used to create reusable upper and lower dental matrices, respectively. These re-usable upper and lower dental matrices are repeatedly used to manufacture upper and lower pre-manufactured or standard sized dentures, respectively. Optionally, a dental patient can have these upper and lower pre-manufactured dentures custom fit or relined to fit the dental patient's mouth to form upper reline and/or lower reline pre-manufactured dentures. The dental patient can have custom fit dentures in two visits with the dentist, even two visits in the same day.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of shaping a dental product, comprising: shaping a curable polymerizable composition to form a shape of a dental product. The polymerizable composition is adapted to cure to form polymeric material, which at 37° C. has a flexural modulus of less than 250,000 psi and a flexural strength of less than 7,000 psi.

Abstract: Dental articles are produced using relatively low sintering temperatures to achieve high density dental articles exhibiting strengths equal to and greater than about 700 MPa. Ceramic powders comprised of nanoparticulate crystallites are used to manufacture dental articles. The ceramic powders may include sintering agents, binders and other similar additives to aid in the processing of the ceramic powder into a dental article. The ceramic powders may be processed into dental articles using various methods including, but not limited to, injection molding, gel-casting, slip casting, or electroforming, hand, cad/camming and other various rapid prototyping methods. The ceramic powder may be formed into a suspension, pellet, feedstock material or a pre-sintered blank prior to forming into the dental article.

Abstract: A translucent zirconia sintered body, a dental article comprising a shaped, translucent zirconia body, a zirconia green body, and methods of making a translucent zirconia sintered body, methods of making a dental article comprising a shaped, translucent zirconia body, and methods of making a zirconia green body are described.

Abstract: Solid free form fabrication techniques can be utilized indirectly to manufacture substrates, dies, models, near-net shapes, shells, and wax-ups that are then used in the manufacture of dental articles. Digital light processing is the most preferred indirect method for the production of substrates. After the substrates are produced, various coating or deposition techniques such as gel casting, slip casting, slurry casting, pressure infiltration, dipping, colloidal spray deposition or electrophoretic deposition are used to manufacture the dental article.

Abstract: A kit (1) to make an individual impression tray for dental use comprising essentially a standard model (20) reproducing a dental arch (24), a semifinished product of thermoformable material, for example a plate member (30), and a container (10) for a heat exchange liquid. The first step that is carried out by the dentist (60) to obtain the individual impression tray (100) provides the insertion of the model (20) in the container (10). Then, next to dental arch of the model (20) a plate member (30) is arranged and hereafter a certain amount of a liquid is put (15), for example water, in the container (10) up to covering plate member (30). The liquid (15) is then heated by a source of thermal power, for example a microwave oven (40) stopping heating when the temperature of the liquid (15) achieves a value T* higher than the temperature for softening the thermoformable material of the plate member (30).

Abstract: A porcelain blank comprising a porcelain composition for dental restorations comprising a leucite crystallite phase and a glass matrix phase, wherein the leucite crystallites possess diameters not exceeding about 10 micron. Preferably, the porcelain composition has a maturing temperature from about 750° C. to about 1050° C. and a coefficient of thermal expansion from about 9×10?6/° C. to about 17.5×10?6/° C., and comprises: SiO2 57-67? Al2O3 7-15 K2O 7-15 Na2O 6-15 Li2O 0.5-3.

Abstract: A ventilating mouthguard device, kit and method of using same is presented for use in providing a user an auxiliary boost of air while wearing the mouthguard. The ventilating mouthguard device includes a base plate, an on/off switch, a power supply and a fan. The base plate has an air passageway traversing all the way thought the base plate so that outside air can easily channeled into the mouth of the user. The on/off switch is electrically coupled to the power supply and to the fan. The fan is positioned so that it is in fluid communications within the air passageway in order to push air into the mouth of the user. The kit includes the unconnected components of the ventilating mouthguard device. The method includes the steps of applying, coupling, covering, curing, mixing, mounting, obtaining, preparing, removing, selecting, and turning.

Abstract: Methods of making a removable dental positioning appliance include forming a sheet of transparent crystalline polymeric material into a shell having cavities shaped to receive and reposition teeth from a first orientation to a successive orientation. The polymeric material may then be annealed at a temperature above its glass transition temperature or cured if a curable material to enhance characteristics of the polymeric material. The polymeric material may be coated with a second transparent material.

Abstract: Dental articles are produced using relatively low sintering temperatures to achieve high density dental articles exhibiting strengths equal to and greater than about 700 MPa. Ceramic powders comprised of nanoparticulate crystallites are used to manufacture dental articles. The ceramic powders may include sintering agents, binders and other similar additives to aid in the processing of the ceramic powder into a dental article. The ceramic powders may be processed into dental articles using various methods including, but not limited to, injection molding, gel-casting, slip casting, or electroforming, hand, cad/camming and other various rapid prototyping methods. The ceramic powder may be formed into a suspension, pellet, feedstock material or a pre-sintered blank prior to forming into the dental article.

Abstract: The invention relates to a bracket which is intended for use in orthodontics and which is made entirely from plastic using an injection moulding process. The inventive bracket comprises the basic elements of any bracket, such as the base which is fixed or cemented to the tooth, the arch groove in the mesial-distal direction and flanges for standard wire ligatures or elastomers. The invention is essentially characterized in that, as with metal brackets, the fixing base provides mechanical retention and, as such, does not have to be coated with any type of chemical additive during the cementing procedure.

Abstract: An implant according to the invention includes first thermoplastic material portions, and second thermoplastic material portions liquefiable by mechanical vibrations and being in contact with the first thermoplastic material portions, wherein the second thermoplastic material portions preferably constitute at least a part of a surface of the implant, and wherein the first thermoplastic material portions have a glass transition temperature above an implantation temperature (about 20° C. to 40° C.), and wherein the second thermoplastic material portions either have a glass transition temperature below said implantation temperature or include means for transforming non-mechanical energy into heat.

Abstract: A manufacturing method and dental component are provided in which first and second cast parts are used with a casting material, such as a gel slurry, to form the dental component. The first cast part can be positioned in a space of the second cast part and a gel slurry can be applied intermediate the first and second cast parts. The gel slurry can then be solidified to form a solidified gel slurry. The first cast part can then be removed together with the solidified gel slurry from the second cast part. The solidified gel slurry can then be machined to form an exterior shape corresponding to a desired exterior shape of the dental component. Finally, the solidified gel slurry can be sintered.

Abstract: An arrangement and method are provided for supplying material to production equipment for ceramic products. The arrangement comprises a first unit that can be at least partially surrounded by a second unit to which it is secured via its outer surface. The second unit can be designed so that it can be fed forward and divided by the production equipment. The first and second units can be arranged to facilitate silhouetting in at least the first unit and to facilitate the creation of at least one securing part between the first and second units. The securing part can comprise one of a combination of the material of the second unit with a joining material and a combination of the material of the first unit with the joining material.

Abstract: In the process for producing dental phostheses such as bridges, crowns implants, etc. from ceramic material, production is carried out at least by way of one CAD/CAM machining station. The ceramic material to be worked consists of an unsintered disk-shaped blank or one which has not been subjected to final sintering, working of the blank into dental prostheses being undertaken at a right angle or quasi-right angle to the parallel or quasi-parallel surfaces of the blank.

Abstract: The present invention relates to preparing an improved lithium silicate glass ceramic for the manufacture of blocks for dental appliance fabrication using a CAD/CAM process. The lithium silicate material has a chemical composition that is different from those reported in the prior art including 8 to 10% of germanium dioxide in the final composition. The softening points are close to the crystallization final temperature of 830° C. indicating that the samples will support the temperature process without shape deformation. The resulting material has improved castability and higher density.

Abstract: A method for making artificial tooth bridges including a ceramic densely sintered high strength individual core veneered with porcelain using powder metallurgical methods. The individual densely sintered bridge parts are joined together to a bridge core by a particle reinforced glass. Since only the glass material wets the surface of the densely sintered parts, the glass is the binding material that holds the core together and the particles function to only increase the strength of the bulk glass material.

Abstract: The invention is directed to manufacturing and testing methods of electronic intraoral devices for diagnose, monitor and treat local and systemic diseases and conditions for humans and animals. More specifically, the current invention deals with manufacturing techniques, testing methods and a testing apparatus of mainly three types of intra-oral devices: (a) electro-stimulators for various applications such as treatment of dry mouth by stimulating saliva secretion, apnea, sleeping disorders, eating disorders (obesity, anorexia, etc.) dysphagia and others, (b) drug delivery devices; and (c) bio-sensing and monitoring devices. The common parts or the devices are: (1) art electronic module embedded in the device: (2) or a power source being embedded in the device; (3) the devices (or part of them) being placed in the oral cavity.

Abstract: A mouthguard includes two sections, a vertical component and a horizontal component. The foam is molded into a configuration such that the vertical component curves around the anterior section of the maxillary dental arch to the lateral aspects, just beyond the canine teeth. At the mouth temperature of 98.6 degrees F., the vertical component is held perfectly between the upper lip and teeth by the general pressure of lip musculature. There is a V-shaped notch in the midline of the vertical section to accommodate the maxillary labial frenum. The horizontal component provides a bite platform and a slit is located along the midline forming two rearwardly extending tabs to facilitate the curvature of the bite platform. Accommodative curvature of the vertical section is provided by spaces between the horizontal component and the ends of the vertical component forming deflectable wings in these regions.

Abstract: A dental device and method of making it, by shaping a first and a second wax-like polymerizable dental material to form a polymerizable dental device.

Abstract: Solid free form fabrication techniques such as fused deposition modeling and three-dimensional printing are used to create a shell or die used in the manufacture of a dental restoration. Three-dimensional printing includes ink-jet printing a binder into selected areas of sequentially deposited layers of powder. Each layer is created by spreading a thin layer of powder over the surface of a powder bed. Instructions for each layer may be derived directly from a CAD representation of the restoration. The area to be printed is obtained by computing the area of intersection between the desired plane and the CAD representation of the object. All the layers required for an aesthetically sound shell can be deposited concurrently slice after slice and sintered/cured simultaneously.

Abstract: A process for fabricating pre-sintered zirconia blanks that are then computer machined and sintered to form dental appliances having highly advantageous features. The principal steps of a preferred embodiment of that process comprise a) preparing a ceramic slurry of binderless zirconia powder; b) subjecting the slurry to attrition milling; c) preparing a vacuum assisted slip casting mold and pouring the milled slurry into the slip-casting mold; d) after casting, excess slurry is poured from the mold and a consolidated zirconia blank is removed; e) drying the blank and pre-sintering it to form solid blanks ready for CAD/CAM machining and sintering to net shape.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an arrangement for sintering a ceramic body, the arrangement including: an applicator defining a monomode microwave heating chamber; a thermal insulation structure disposed within the chamber; a susceptor disposed within the thermal insulation structure having a lower microwave coupling temperature than the ceramic body; the ceramic body arranged adjacent to the susceptor; a magnetron; and a temperature measurement device. Related methods are also described.

Abstract: A selective laser sintering technique and system are provided for producing a heterogeneous product. The selective laser sintering technique and system is generally comprised of generating a computer model of the product and processing the model to obtain numerous cross-sectional representations of the model. The cross-sectional representations are manufactured layer by layer to create the product. Specifically, numerous different powders having a variety of properties are placed within nozzles positioned above a deposition bed using a hopper. Using the computer model as a guide, the different powders are placed at different positions on the deposition bed to form each layer of the device. The deposited powders are consolidated, micromachined, and milled using one or more lasers to create the product.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a heat-resistant mold for manufacturing a dental restoration, wherein a wax model is manufactured in a conventional manner and wherein from a powdered heat-resistant material consisting of powdered particles coated with a hydrophobic material liquid at room temperature, with water or another mixing liquid, a slurry is prepared, wherein the slurry is applied to the wax model, and wherein the wax model covered slurry is subjected to a heating step, wherein the wax is burnt off.

Abstract: A method for forming an orthodontic device having a fibre reinforced composite is provided. The fibre reinforced composite has a fibre material within a matrix phase material. The fibre material comprises braided fibre material having a braid angle in the range from about 3° to about 87°, and more particularly in the range from about 10° to about 45°. The fibre reinforced composite is formed from a method which includes the steps of impregnating the fibre material with a monomer resin, shaping the fibre that is impregnated with the resin into a defined cross sectional shape suitable for use in the orthodontic device, and polymerising the monomer resin in the impregnated fibre to form the fibre-reinforced composite.

Abstract: Compositions, particularly for forming dental products, having a hardenable self-supporting structure with sufficient malleability to be subsequently customized into a second shape and then hardened, and methods.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method (100, 200, 300) for producing a dental prosthesis (17) comprising a framework (3) and a veneer (15), in particular for creating a crown, a bridge, an inlay or an onlay. The invention also relates to a system (40, 50) for creating a dental prosthesis (17) comprising a framework (3) and a veneer (15) as well as a corresponding computer program.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for forming an accurate stone cast from an impression of a body region, used for the purpose of prosthetic fabrication, such as dental crowns and artificial eyes and hearing aids. The initial step of this unique method is to affix a relatively thin mix of wet dental stone in contact with the internal surface of the impression. After this initial layering has cured, a subsequent pour is made to sufficiently fill the impression to form a cast.