Abstract: Disclosed are apparatus and methods to facilitate the immediate loading of a hybrid prosthesis into the mouth of a patient, thereby avoiding the traditional delay of several months for such devices.

Abstract: Occlusal contact between upper and lower virtual three-dimensional teeth of a patient when the upper and lower arches are in an occlused condition are determined and displayed to the user on a user interface of a general purpose computing device. Various techniques for determining occlusal contacts are described. The areas where occlusal contact occurs is displayed on the user interface in a readily perceptible manner, such as by showing the occlusal contacts in green. If the proposed set-up would result in a interpenetration of teeth in opposing arches, such locations of interpenetration are illustrated in a contrasting color or shading (e.g., red). The ability to calculate distances and display occlusal contacts in a proposed set-up assists the user in planning treatment for the patient. The process can be extended to interproximal contact detection as well. The concepts also apply to dental prosthetics, such as crowns, fillings and dentures.

Abstract: The present invention is a sheet comprised of PTFE material manufactured to specifications, and processes therefore. Use of the sheet improves a number of dental procedures where interposed between contacting dental surfaces because the sheet readily deforms under pressure. As such, it does not substantially interfere with the occlusion of the teeth, or seating of dental restorations or appliances. Novel uses for the sheet include: interference marking, molding composites, occlusal registration, dual arch impression tray membrane, and spacing phase one impressions.

Abstract: Dental appliances including multiple components and a system and method for constructing the same are disclosed herein. The dental components are designed to fit together to form the dental appliance. The components of the dental appliance are electronically modeled, printed, and pressed sequentially, separately, or as a unitary piece. Forming the dental appliance from multiple components enables each component of the dental appliance to be formed from a different material, each material having different features associated with it. In various embodiments, different materials have different colors, textures, opacities, and transformation factors associated with them. Furthermore, each component can be formed from multiple components. In some other embodiments, a support structure is designed and constructed in order to minimize deformation of a dental component during fabrication of the component.

Abstract: A wax model of a required coping is produced using CNC machining techniques based on a virtual model of the coping created from digital data obtained from the intraoral cavity. The dental coping is then fabricated from the wax model.

Abstract: An artificial tooth is bonded to a malformed tooth without cutting the tooth, whereby a row of teeth is changed in a rapid and straightforward manner. The muscles surrounding the mouth cavity are pushed by the artificial tooth, thereby changing the appearance of the face. The present invention provides a bonding tooth (1) that is bonded to a tooth (T) in a row of malformed teeth so that muscles of the mouth in front of the maxillary and mandibular bodies, which muscles constitute most of the mouth muscles that control the appearance of the mouth, are subjected to pressure from an interior of the mouth cavity, and the appearance of the mouth is caused to change.

Abstract: An alloy s provided for dental prostheses including porcelain fused to metal (PFM) restorations. The alloy is grey in color with an oxide coating for bonding porcelain to the oxidized cast alloy substrate. The alloy has suitable mechanical properties for cast prostheses and for the support of the porcelain and is readily polished to a bright sheen. The alloy is based on a palladium-cobalt binary system, has a coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) in the range of about 14.0 to 15.3 and may include one or more of the following additive metals: aluminum, boron, chromium, gallium, lithium, rhenium, ruthenium, silicon, tantalum, titanium, and tungsten.

Abstract: A method to increase the cement retention of a metal dental coping to the structure of a tooth in the preparation of a crown or bridge. The method includes forming a liquid composition of high and low fusing temperature metal particles with at least 50% of the high fusing metal particles having a thin cross-sectional average thickness of less than 5 microns and coating the interior surfaces of the metal coping with the liquid composition to form a thin coating of no greater than 20 microns before the coping is mounted on the tooth structure. The thin coating of liquid composition should then be heat treated at a temperature of between 750° C. and 1050° C. to permit the low-fusing temperature metal particles to fuse but not entirely melt. Following heat treatment a dental cement should be applied to the tooth structure or coping in a conventional manner. Thereafter, the coping is mounted on the tooth structure with the heat treated coating in contact with the dental cement to improve retention.

Abstract: Lithium silicate materials are described which can be easily processed by machining to dental products without undue wear of the tools and which subsequently can be converted into lithium silicate products showing high strength.

Abstract: A pressable dental ceramic comprising a mixture of glass and glass-ceramic frits. A refractory filler is also combined with the frits. The dental ceramic contains an amount of leucite less than about 35 percent by weight. Other additives may be included such as pigments, opacifying agents and fluorescing agents. The dental ceramic comprises a cellular-like microstructure comprised of glassy regions surrounded by clusters of leucite crystals distributed around those glassy regions forming a cellular three-dimensional network.

Abstract: Advanced material is preferably used for the manufacturing of dental crowns which may be used to restore decayed or to protect other compromised tooth structure. The dental crowns are preferably preformed or prefabricated with an undercut; tooth colored; for primary or permanent; anterior or posterior teeth; and may include internal metal or other strengthener(s). The undercut has an inwardly arcuate and angled taper toward the gingival end.

Abstract: A dental prosthesis is made by externally machining successive layers of wax, each of which is formed on a previous prosthesis layer and/or on a coping. Each wax layer is used to form a mold in situ over the previous prosthesis layer/coping, and the appropriate prosthesis material is cast or otherwise molded to conform to the wax layer by the mold.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and article of manufacture is disclosed for providing a dental crowns using electronic models, and more particularly to a method, apparatus, and article of manufacture for creating dental crowns using a lost-wax manufacturing process from electronic model files corresponding to patient teeth impressions and corresponding electronic models for tooth crowns. The system and method permit the electronic generation and specification of crown, bridge, and implant dental appliances that may be specified in an industry standard file specification. This specification is utilized in a rapid prototyping process to generate a wax impression for the appliance that may then be fabricated using standard lost-wax fabrication techniques.

Abstract: A method is designed to mount a removable restoration tooth on a natural tooth to be restored. The method involves the use of the standardized plastic inner crowns corresponding to the permanent teeth of a human, the standardized metal outer crowns corresponding to the plastic inner crowns, and the standardized abutment conformation devices corresponding to the plastic inner crowns. One of the devices is used as a reference in forming an abutment on the natural tooth. An abutment matrix is made to facilitate the dressing of the plastic inner crown, so as to make a metal inner crown according to the dressed plastic inner crown. The metal inner crown is mounted on the abutment. A metal outer crown corresponding to the plastic inner crown is fitted with the restoration tooth, which is mounted on the natural tooth such that the metal outer crown is fitted over the metal inner crown.

Abstract: Occlusal contact between upper and lower virtual three-dimensional teeth of a patient when the upper and lower arches are in an occlused condition are determined and displayed to the user on a user interface of a general purpose computing device. Various techniques for determining occlusal contacts are described. The areas where occlusal contact occurs is displayed on the user interface in a readily perceptible manner, such as by showing the occlusal contacts in green. If the proposed set-up would result in a interpenetration of teeth in opposing arches, such locations of interpenetration are illustrated in a contrasting color or shading (e.g., red). The ability to calculate distances and display occlusal contacts in a proposed set-up assists the user in planning treatment for the patient. The process can be extended to interproximal contact detection as well. The concepts also apply to dental prosthetics, such as crowns, fillings and dentures.

Abstract: The invention relates to urethane prepolymers, obtainable by reaction of: (A) 15 to 85 wt.-% of one or more ?,?-terminated poly(meth)acrylate diols, (B) 0 to 30 wt.-% of one or more radically curable, polyhydroxy-functional compounds, (C) 14 to 60 wt.-% of one or more polyisocyanates, (D) 1 to 40 wt.-% of a monofunctional compound, reactive vis-à-vis isocyanate groups, which also contains one or more radically curable grouping, as well as their use.

Abstract: A wax model of a required coping is produced using CNC machining techniques based on a virtual model of the coping created from digital data obtained from the intraoral cavity. The dental coping is then fabricated from the wax model.

Abstract: A dental crown that includes a stainless steel shell sized to cover a tooth portion of a patient and a polymeric coating including a polyester/epoxy hybrid composition.

Abstract: A coating for a biomedical device is disclosed, including a metal layer and/or a ceramic layer, such as a layer of titanium (Ti) and a layer of titanium-nitride (TiN). The coating can form a coping for a crown for a tooth, the crown including a porcelain layer bonded to the titanium-nitride (TiN) layer. Methods for making and using a biomedical device are also disclosed, including vapor deposition of metal and/or ceramic layers, such as titanium (Ti) and titanium-nitride (TiN) layers. In one embodiment, the method includes forming a titanium (Ti) vapor that solidifies to form a titanium (Ti) layer; forming a titanium-nitride (TiN) vapor that coats the titanium (Ti) layer with a titanium-nitride (TiN) layer; and forming a porcelain layer on the titanium-nitride (TiN) layer. The porcelain can be sintered to form a dental crown or other device.

Abstract: The invention relates to uses of glasses and glass-ceramics in dental and orthodontic applications.

Abstract: A tooth reduction measuring system comprises a holding tool having a proximal end and a distal end. A flexible loop extends from the distal end and defines an opening. The loop has a thickness from the range about 1 mm to about 2 mm, and the opening a size large enough to be placed around a tooth. The loop is adapted to be positioned relative to a pair of opposing teeth, one of which has been reduced. In this way, the pair of opposing teeth are within the opening, and the loop may be pulled by the shaft into a gap between the opposing teeth to permit evaluation of the size of the gap based on the thickness of the loop.

Abstract: A wax model of a required coping is produced using CNC machining techniques based on a virtual model of the coping created from digital data obtained from the intraoral cavity. The dental coping is then fabricated from the wax model.

Abstract: A dental prosthesis fabrication and placement method is adapted for completion in one appointment. The dental prosthesis, such as a crown or short-span bridge, is a prefabricated composite shell that is modified by the addition of composite material and cured on-site to form a custom-modified device.

Abstract: A temporary crown, and variants thereof, including temporary bite caps and temporary facings, comprised of a shaped provisional (crown forms, onlays, veneers and variants thereof) and a resin filler; and a kit of provisionals, resin and auxiliary materials. The provisional has at least a partial bite layer that is integral with two opposing neighbor walls, a lingual wall and a buccal wall which, together, define a cavity to accept a tooth stub, the resin filler and optionally, a temporary adhesive. The resin filler is initially plastic and fills a void between the provisional and the tooth stub. The provisional and resin filler are selected for compatibility and cooperative curability such that following a suitable curing step, the inner layer of the provisional and the resin filler are substantially bound to and integral with one another. The provisional may have apertures through the bite layer and slits through the neighbor walls.

Abstract: A polycrystalline translucent aluminum oxide ceramic material having an average grain size of no greater than 1.0 micron and a Contrast Ratio value of less than about 0.7. The material can be in the form of a dental mill blank, dental prosthesis or other dental article or non-dental article.

Abstract: Chair-side, modifiable, dental inlay preforms of highly durable material are bonded within mainly posterior teeth following removal of decay. These inlay preforms offer increased strength and resilience over direct composites while being faster, less costly and easier to place than indirect inlays. A kit of preforms containing multiple bins of various geometrical shapes and sizes are available to repair mainly molars and premolars in the upper and lower arches. The inlay preforms can be modified with standard acrylic and/or porcelain burs and inserted with standard dental bonding material. A removable grip eases the try-in process.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device and a method for manufacturing a dental prosthesis with which and in which the data records for fabricated teeth are fitted into a virtual model of the oral situation. It is possible to subsequently directly manufacture the denture base or to insert the fabricated teeth in the model.

Abstract: The ceramic builder based investment is coloured to simulate naturally prepared tooth dentin. Upon final set, the solid refractory dies are fired to enable them to receive porcelain. The expansion and contraction of the refractory die upon temperature fluctuations, is correlated with the corresponding porcelains' expansion. This correlation of the materials enables the restoration to maintain proper form and shape through multiple firings. The primary basis of this invention is the ability to colour (chromatize) individual refractory dies to simulate natural prepared teeth from the dentist.

Abstract: The invention relates to uses of glasses and glass-ceramics in dental and orthodontic applications.

Abstract: A dental prosthesis fabrication and placement method is adapted for completion in one appointment. The dental prosthesis, such as a crown or short-span bridge, is a prefabricated composite shell that is modified by the addition of composite material and cured on-site to form a custom-modified device.

Abstract: This invention provides an inexpensive crown construction which is particularly adapted for use with the “baby” teeth of children and which is particularly intended to provide mechancial attachment means for the overlying esthetic layer of the inventive crown construction.

Abstract: A coating for a biomedical device is disclosed, including a metal layer and/or a ceramic layer, such as a layer of titanium (Ti) and a layer of titanium-nitride (TiN). The coating can form a coping for a crown for a tooth, the crown including a porcelain layer bonded to the titanium-nitride (TiN) layer. Methods for making and using a biomedical device are also disclosed, including vapor deposition of metal and/or ceramic layers, such as titanium (Ti) and titanium-nitride (TiN) layers. In one embodiment, the method includes forming a titanium (Ti) vapor that solidifies to form a titanium (Ti) layer; forming a titanium-nitride (TiN) vapor that coats the titanium (Ti) layer with a titanium-nitride (TiN) layer; and forming a porcelain layer on the titanium-nitride (TiN) layer. The porcelain can be sintered to form a dental crown or other device.

Abstract: The present invention provides a dental crown formed of a thermoplastic polymer material, said crown comprising:

Abstract: The method is used for automated production of dental prostheses in the form of ceramic restorations or ceramic abutments of dental implants, using a computer-controlled laser for shaping by means of removal of material from a ceramic blank. The special feature is that at least one three-dimensionally contoured surface region of the dental prosthesis (4, 8) is machined out of the ceramic blank (3) by means of an ultra-short-pulse laser (1) and shaped into the predetermined shape. Preferably, the ultra-short-pulse laser is first employed in such a way that the great majority of the material to be removed from the ceramic blank is cut off in pieces by the ultra-short-pulse laser, and then the ultra-short-pulse laser need merely vaporize the remainder in an erosive operation.

Abstract: A prosthesis for a tooth surface, which requires neither careful formation of an abutment tooth nor indirect production of the dental prosthesis outside the oral cavity, and can be fixed inside the oral cavity in a time, the prosthesis having a shape resembling a labial side surface of an anterior tooth, a buccal side surface and an approximal surface or an occlusal surface of a molar tooth, or a buccal surface or an approximal surface and an occlusal surface of a molar tooth, a back surface thereof being attached to a lingual side tooth formed by constructing with a lingual side tooth forming resin material on an abutment tooth, and comprising a polymer of a mixture of a polymerizable compound having an unsaturated double bond, a filler and a polymerization initiator. The prosthesis may be a veneering type having a thickness of 0.

Abstract: A near net tooth shaped ceramic prosthesis is provided in a tooth shape to minimize the amount of cutting and baking required to finish the outer crown portion of the dental prosthesis. A metallic core is provided for attachment to an implant in a patient's mouth. A ceramic crown is then attached to the core.

Abstract: A near net tooth shaped ceramic prosthesis is provided in a tooth shape to minimize the amount of cutting and baking required to finish the outer crown portion of the dental prosthesis. A metallic core is provided for attachment to an implant in a patient's mouth. A ceramic crown is then attached to the core.

Abstract: One embodiment is a dental appliance, and another embodiment is a method for using a dental appliance to position a veneer, for example a ceramic or porcelain laminate veneer, on the surface of a tooth. One embodiment of the dental appliance comprises a plurality of grippers, allowing a dentist to adjust the position and hold a veneer on the tooth during the bonding process. One embodiment of the method includes repositioning of the veneer using a dental appliance, holding the veneer with the dental appliance while excess adhesive is removed and a light source probe is used to cure a localized area of a light-sensitive adhesive, again repositioning the veneer using the dental appliance, and holding the veneer with the dental appliance during curing of another localized area.

Abstract: A method of preparing a ceramic artificial crown by applying at least one kind of dental porcelain selected from the group consisting of a body porcelain, an incisal porcelain and a translucent porcelain onto the surface of a ceramic core molded by heating and softening a ceramic material and putting it into a mold with the application of a pressure followed by firing; wherein

Abstract: A method for forming a dental coping from a base material composition containing high fusing temperature metal particles and a wax binder and a filler material composition containing low fusing temperature metal particles and a wax binder wherein the two materials are molded over the surface of a die either separately or as a laminate into a shape conforming to the shape of a tooth to be restored and heat treated in a a furnace in a single heat treatment operation from a temperature to cause the high fusing temperature metal particles to form a stable porous structure of high fusing temperature metal to an elevated temperature not to exceed about 1130° C. but preferably between about 1075° C. and 1100° C. so as to melt and densify the low fusing particles into the porous structure.

Abstract: Dental material containing a polymerizable component and a component applied superficially to the polymerizable component, which can be removed after the curing of the polymerizable material with accompanying formation of a rough surface.

Abstract: A temporary crown, and variants thereof, including temporary bite caps and temporary facings, comprised of a shaped provisional (crown forms, onlays, veneers and variants thereof) and a resin filler; and a kit of provisionals, resin and auxiliary materials. The provisional has at least a partial bite layer that is integral with two opposing neighbour walls, a lingual wall and a buccal wall which, together, define a cavity to accept a tooth stub, the resin filler and optionally, a temporary adhesive. The resin filler is initially plastic and fills a void between the provisional and the tooth stub. The provisional and resin filler are selected for compatibility and cooperative curability such that following a suitable curing step, the inner layer of the provisional and the resin filler are substantially bound to and integral with one another. The provisional may have apertures through the bite layer and slits through the neighbour walls.

Abstract: A tooth reduction measuring tool comprises a shaft having a proximal end and a distal end, with the proximal end defining a handle. A flexible loop extends from the distal end and defines an opening. The loop has a thickness from the range about 1 mm to about 2 mm, and the opening a size large enough to be placed around a tooth. The loop is adapted to be positioned relative to a pair of opposing teeth, one of which has been reduced. In this way, the pair of opposing teeth are within the opening, and the loop may be pulled by the shaft into a gap between the opposing teeth to permit evaluation of the size of the gap based on the thickness of the loop.

Abstract: Chemically bound ceramic system, the binder phase of which essentially consisting of a cement based system, which material comprises one or more expansion compensating additives adapted to give the material dimension stable long time properties.

Abstract: Chair-side, modifiable, dental inlay preforms of highly durable material are bonded within mainly posterior teeth following removal of decay. These inlay preforms offer increased strength and resilience over direct composites while being faster, less costly and easier to place than indirect inlays. A kit of preforms containing multiple bins of various geometrical shapes and sizes are available to repair mainly molars and premolars in the upper and lower arches. The inlay preforms can be modified with standard acrylic and/or porcelain burs and inserted with standard dental bonding material. A removable grip eases the try-in process.

Abstract: An injection molded dental crown formed of an acetal homopolymer resin. A method for mass producing dental crowns is also disclosed.

Abstract: An element for aiding in the cementation of a fixed dental prosthesis that results in equal pressure being applied to the prosthesis comprising a block having a first end (M) and a second end (d). The first end (M) is thicker than the second end (d), and when the first end is mesially placed and the second end is distally placed between two dental arcades, equal pressure is applied to the prosthesis. The block may be frustropyramidal, frustroconical, or helical in shape.

Abstract: A temporary or long-term provisional crown includes a shell having a top wall defining an occlusal surface, a buccal sidewall, a lingual sidewall, and opposite mesio-distal sidewalls, connected to the top wall and buccal and lingual sidewalls and spaced apart to define a central cavity to fit over a prepared tooth. A quantity of resin is disposed in the central cavity of the shell and is preferably shaped to conform to a prepared tooth. A partial opening is preferably arranged in one or more of the mesio-distal sidewalls to permit resin to protrude mesio-distally from the cavity to contact an adjacent tooth.

Abstract: The invention relates to urethane prepolymers, obtainable by reaction of:

Abstract: In a method for forming a dental part, a laser beam is guided over a powder layer of biocompatible material. The laser is guided by a computer controlled laser scanning system based on data representing the shape of cross-section through the shaped body. The powder is substantially melted by the laser beam to form a layer in the shaped body, to build the shaped body entirely from layers of laser-melted material.