Abstract: A method of manufacturing artificial tooth veneer restorations for natural teeth composed of a ceramic core by pressing and sintering ceramic powder. The core is preferably manufactured from a high strength densely sintered ceramic material by copy milling from an impression of the prepared tooth surface to a compacted body, a presintered body or a sintered body. Alternatively, the core is manufactured by compacting the ceramic powder against a body, which surface is copy milled from a model of the prepared tooth surface. During the copy milling, the sintering shrinkage is considered by enlargement of that body. The tooth veneer restorations are given their final shape by shaping the external surface of the compacted, presintered or sintered ceramic body. After the final sintering, the external surface can be shaped before a veneer material is attached to the external surface of the core by firing of dental porcelain.

Abstract: A tooth preparation or dental restoration modification apparatus comprises a material removal device for removing material from an object such as a tooth or dental restoration form, a guide element operatively connected to the material removal device for enabling a guiding of the material removal device under the control of an operator, and a light projector for projecting a visible point of light onto a predetermined location on the object, thereby serving as an indicator to the operator that material is to be removed from the object at the location.

Abstract: A dental crown construction and method for making the same wherein the crown structure includes a stainless steel substrate cap with a cosmetic overlay securely anchored to the front surface of the cap. The method includes roughening the outer surface of the cap, applying a bonding agent to the surface and adhesively bonding an outer cosmetic layer to the outer surface of the cap along with the mechanical retention created by the corners being cut out.

Abstract: Special tools and materials are provided for the fitting and placement of artificial crowns and inlays in a patient's mouth. One version of the kit comprises test ribbons, ribbon gripping forceps, crown gripping forceps, a crown placement tool, an adhesive dispenser, expendable adhesive, an adhesive dispenser stand, an inlay/veneer placement tool, and a number of plastic or metal shims.The inlay placement tool is fitted with hot-melt adhesive on its tip for fixed attachment of an inlay or veneer for placement in the mouth. The crown placement tool is adhered with hot melt adhesive to the biting surface of a posterior crown to be used as a crown placing device.The ribbon forceps is used to grip a thin precut test ribbon and hold the ribbon in the patient's mouth vertically on either the front or back side of an artificial crown being placed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the method and apparatus for forming a dental crown on a prepared tooth. A dental appliance is provided in which a resinous jacket is provided, and is capable of serving both as a crown and a crown form, the jacket having relatively thinner, straight, side walls. When used as a crown, the inner surface of the jacket is coated with a bonding agent, and the jacket is then filled with a composite restorative material, after which, the jacket is fitted over the prepared tooth to be restored, to give a resultant highly effective crown, either by leaving the jacket in place, or by removing it, in which case the composite restorative material serves as the crown, standing alone.

Abstract: A method of forming a porcelain tooth restoration from a positive replication of the tooth structure on which the tooth restoration is to be placed. Areas of the replication are coated with a liquid preparation which substantially inhibits moisture absorption by the replication. A slurry of powdered porcelain is applied over the coated area of the replication to form at least a portion of the tooth restoration which is cured and eventually separated from the tooth replication for bonding to the tooth structure.

Abstract: A dental porcelain material free of yellow coloring or opacification upon firing is produced. A powder mixture is prepared by adding 0.1 to 2.0 wt % of antimony trioxide and 0.01 to 5 wt % of nitric acid or its salt or salt, to a porcelain starting material. The powder mixture is heat-treated at a temperature not lower than the softening temperature of the powder mixture to produce a fused mass which is pulverized and water-washed. 0.01 to 5 wt % of nitric acid or its salt or salts may be added again during the pulverizing step.

Abstract: Amounts of variation of data representing the shape of an abutment tooth are determined, and a train of points is extracted from the amounts of variation. Then a developed view of the surface shape of the abutment tooth is displayed, and the obtained train of points is also displayed in the developed view. The margin line for designing the artificial crown is determined, based on thus displayed train of points.

Abstract: Dental crowns and bridges are made from thermoplastic molding compositions which are a mixture of thermoplastic material (for example, polycaprolactone), a free-radically polymerizable resin (for example, a urethane diacrylate oligomer), and free-radical initiator (for example, a visible-light cure photoinitiator). The mixture is solid at 38.degree. C., has a melting or softening point that comfortably can be withstood by oral tissues, and can be imprinted with a heat-stable custom shape memory and semi-thermoplastic properties by shaping the composition to a desired shape and then causing or permitting the resin to undergo polymerization.

Abstract: Methods of preparation of a tooth by reduction thereof are provided, so as to permit very accurate tooth reduction in preparation for subsequent placement of a crown, onlay, inlay, or other crown or bridge prosthodontic procedure. Such preparation requires that at least a portion of the material of the tooth, its enamel and/or dentin, is to be reduced; and in order to do so, a series of grooves must first be cut into the tooth structure to a specific and predetermined depth. By the present invention, the depth of tooth reduction to be effected is determined, and a dental burr is chosen to cut a series of grooves each having that predetermined depth. After the series of groove reduction have been cut, the cut groove reductions are then connected using a suitable grinding burr so as to grind away the standing enamel and/or dentin lands between the grooves reductions and thereby achieve a reduction of the tooth structure to that predetermined depth.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a dental prosthesis, such as a dental crown, wherein at least the visible part of the prosthesis (the outside) is subjected to a material removing operation by means of a numerically controlled micro machine tool and wherein the machining paths are visible on the final prosthesis. The machining paths follow a three-dimensionally curved line and do not lie in a flat plane. The dental prosthesis which is manufactured in this manner has a natural-looking appearance. According to another aspect of the invention the shape of the dental prosthesis is such that near the edge of the prosthesis the cement layer is thicker than at some distance from the edge to relieve the edge of the dental prosthesis from bearing heavy forces.

Abstract: A method of preparing the fitting surface of a dental ceramic body for subsequent bonding to a tooth with, for example, glass polyalkenoate and resin based cements, including the step of depositing, by a vapour phase deposition technique, directly onto the fitting surface of the ceramic body a strongly adherent coating of an inorganic substance such as tin oxide at a thickness ideally less than 2 microns, the coating being reactive with the cement to provide a durable chemical bond therewith which is not subject to chemical degradation in the oral environment and which will not compromise the aesthetics of the associated dental restoration.

Abstract: A process for making artificial porcelain teeth or laboratory fabricated dental crowns includes casting or molding a plurality of tooth-shaped unfired shells from ceramic powder and a resin, acrylic, wax or starch in liquid form and molded and hardened into shapes of predetermined tooth contours. These dried powder like, thin and highly characterized outside shells of a general tooth shape are then merged into a full porcelain powder buildup of the tooth shape by using conventional porcelain powders mixed into a paste, conventionally, as a filling medium completing the buildup of tooth or crown form. This form is then placed into a furnace and heated to purge undesired resin, acrylic, wax or starch and other extraneous material, and then it is baked conventionally to further purge same and obtain an artificial tooth or crown in the most desirable form possible for the technician who then finalizes the contour by grinding and polishing or glazing same conventionally.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method of manufacturing artificial tooth restorations for natural teeth or implants comprising a ceramic densely sintered, high-strength individual core B with dental porcelain A by powder metallurgical manufacturing methods. The inner surface I of the core B, which will fit against one or more prepared tooth surfaces P or artificial abutments, is manufactured by forming a ceramic powder mixture against a surface of a body at which this mentioned surface is manufactured by registering the surfaces of the prepared teeth or artificial abutments and their mutual relationship with a three-dimensional optical or mechanical reading method directly in the mouth or on a model of, e.g., plaster, after which the registered surfaces are reproduced in an enlarged size, e.g., with a computer-controlled milling machine. The amount of enlargement is calculated from the shrinkage of the ceramic material during sintering to full density and considering the gap for cement.

Abstract: Special tools and materials are provided for the fitting and placement of artificial crowns and inlays in a patient's mouth. One version of the kit comprises test ribbons, ribbon gripping forceps, crown gripping forceps, a crown placement tool, an adhesive dispenser, expendable adhesive, an adhesive dispenser stand, an inlay/veneer placement tool, and a number of plastic or metal shims.The inlay placement tool is fitted with hot-melt adhesive on its tip for fixed attachment of an inlay or veneer for placement in the mouth. The crown placement tool is adhered with hot melt adhesive to the biting surface of a posterior crown to be used as a crown placing device.The ribbon forceps is used to grip a thin precut test ribbon and hold the ribbon in the patient's mouth vertically on either the front or back side of an artificial crown being placed.

Abstract: A construction applicable to dental crowns, facings, inlays, and the like including a stainless steel wire mesh (3) shaped to fit closely over a prepared tooth remnant (1), and being integrally bonded to a cavity (11) of a crown body (4) so as to form an integral crown (5) ready for use. The integral crown (5) can be adhered to the remnant (1) in a conventional manner, for instance by using dental filler. The body (4) and mesh (3) are very strongly joined by a mechanical interlock action by virtue of the mesh texture.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for making naturally appearing dental restorations, compositions of matter used in said methods and articles so formed, the resulting articles being visually life-like dental porcelain restorations formed of porcelain layers at least certain of which are modified to cause light entering a restoration to be internally reflected within the layers of the restoration to produce an opalescence virtually identical to that of natural teeth. Porcelain layers unique to the present dental restorations include colored pigments or chromas selected to replace those chromatic values which are usually absorbed within conventional porcelain restorations, the present restorations therefore transmitting essentially the same high value of light back out of the restorations which initially entered the restorations.

Abstract: The invention concerns a dental crown, with a facing for example on the visible side for example, and a rigid connector for receiving the crown. The respective cooperating walls telescope for securing the removable prosthesis. The crown is secured to a stump left in the jaw. It has a lingual functional surface with a supragingival cervical offset, a supporting surface adjacent to the prosthesis saddle, and an intracoronal channel extending across the crown more or less parallel to the lingual functional surface. The rigid connector has three friction cylinders, a lingual outer wall which is between the first and second friction cylinder, a supporting telescope wall with the saddle for the prosthesis secured to it, and a patrix web which is inserted in the intracoronal channel. The outer telescope wall, supporting telescope wall, and patrix web of the connector completely surround a web on the crown.

Abstract: The invention concerns a dental crown, with a facing for example on the visible side for example, and a rigid connector for receiving the crown. The respective cooperating walls telescope for securing the removable prosthesis. The crown is secured to a stump left in the jaw. It has a lingual functional surface with a supragingival cervical offset, a supporting surface adjacent to the prosthesis saddle, and an intracoronal channel extending across the crown more or less parallel to the lingual functional surface. The rigid connector has three friction cylinders, a lingual outer wall which is between the first and second friction cylinder, a supporting telescope wall with the saddle for the prosthesis secured to it, and a patrix web which is inserted in the intracoronal channel. The outer telescope wall, supporting telescope wall, and patrix web of the connector completely surround a web on the crown.

Abstract: A moldable dental composition for use in forming or repairing dental restorations composed of a mixture of high- and low-fusing temperature metal particles and a wax in a concentration of between thirty to eighty percent by volume of the mixture. The average particle size of the metal particles are above one micron, with the high-fusing temperature metal particles at least twice the size of the low-fusing metal particles. The composition is heat treated at a temperature to melt the low-fusing temperature metal particles and to eliminate the wax, leaving a porous metal structure with a void volume above thirty percent. The voids are filled using a filler material of metal or ceramic.

Abstract: The present invention relates to artificial onlay tooth crowns or inlays composed of a prefabricated core designed for preparations for onlay tooth crowns or inlays in natural teeth. The core is preferably fabricated from a high strength densely sintered ceramic material by copy milling from a negative reproduction from the prepared cavity to a compacted body or a presintered ceramic material. During the copy milling, the sintering shrinkage is considered by enlargement of the copy milled compacted body or the presintered body corresponding to the sintering shrinkage. The onlay tooth crowns and inlays are given the final shape by shaping the surfaces outside the cavity of the compacted or the presintered body. After the final sintering, the external surface can be shaped and a veneer material attached to the external surface of the core by, e.g., firing of dental porcelain.

Abstract: A crown and/or a replacement tooth and a method of in situ production thereof by grinding and shaping a tooth to form a prepared tooth; filling a transparent shell tooth form with a light setting resin; disposing the filled shell tooth form onto the prepared tooth; illuminating the filled transparent shell tooth form to set the light setting resin and bond the resin to the shell tooth form; and shaping and polishing the set resin in situ to form a crown. A set of shell tooth forms is provided which are formed from a light setting resin chemically compatible with the resin used to fill the form in order that bonding occurs therebetween. This feature enables the products of a replacement tooth formed in situ without the necessity of shell tooth form removal as heretofore required.

Abstract: A dental bonding arrangement for use in attaching a dental prosthesis onto a dental surface. The bonding arrangement includes a self-supporting, semi-rigid layer of adhesive material positioned between a pair of opposing backing sheets. The adhesive material is of sufficient viscosity to permit contouring of the adhesive along the dental surface, and yet of sufficient rigidity to maintain itself erect on the dental surface without flowing. The backing sheets are selectively removed to initially place the adhesive film on the dental surface and, after being positioned, removing the opposing backing sheet and then placing of the dental prosthesis. The particular dental prosthesis can be a porcelain inlay, a dental bracket, or the like.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the preparation of a dental crown restoration, which comprises preparing a plurality of dental crown-restoring glass materials comprising 100 parts by weight of a glass component and 0.01 to 17.

Abstract: In the formation of a dental restoration unit, a procedure for securely bonding composite resin material to a core structure is employed. A core structure comprising, for example, metal, is wholly or partially covered with a cohesion layer comprised of a blend of lithium, aluminum silicat and fused quartz silicate. The composite resin material is fused to the cohesion. The resulting restoration unit, such as a crown, is less liable to fracture than is porcelain, and can provide a surface which is no more abrasive than is natural tooth enamel.

Abstract: The present invention relates to artificial onlay tooth crowns or inlays composed of a prefabricated core designed for preparations for onlay tooth crowns or inlays in natural teeth. The core is preferably fabricated from a high strength densely sintered ceramic material by copy milling from a negative reproduction from the prepared cavity to a compacted body or a presintered ceramic material. During the copy milling, the sintering shrinkage is considered by enlargement of the copy milled compacted body or the presintered body corresponding to the sintering shrinkage. The onlay tooth crown and inlays are given the final shape by shaping the surfaces outside the cavity of the compacted or the presintered body. After the final sintering, the external surface can be shaped and a veneer material attached to the external surface of the core by, e.g., firing of dental porcelain.

Abstract: A metal-ceramic filling to be cemented into a cavity of a tooth (10), which consists of cast metal (1) on its side capable of bearing weight, on which a ceramic material (2) is applied by means of a firing technique. The cast metal (1) is thinner on its edge, so that it can be applied by rotation and finishing to a beveled area (12). The filling can be laterally extended into an occlusal cusp. The filling can be used as a bridge anchor.

Abstract: Dental facings or veneers preformed from precision metals; suitable for attachment to the labial enamel surface of human teeth; and utilizable for cosmetic purposes and/or as a base for further decorative enhancement by cut-out design, inlaid design or otherwise.

Abstract: A dental crown analog for anchoring an orthodontic archwire to a dental implant fixture installed in a patient who is edentulous at the site where such anchorage is desired has a hollow tubular passage integral with the analog and extending mesially-distally through the analog close to an adjacent buccal or lingual surface. This passage has a slot-shaped opening at one end, the larger dimension of which is generally parallel to the adjacent surface, and the larger dimension tapers toward a smaller generally cylindrical cross-section between its ends or at the other end. Where the smaller cross section is between the ends of the passage the other end of the passage also has a slot-shaped opening. A tube for holding the archwire may be fitted in the passage, rockably mounted in the smaller portion of the passage.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an artificial tooth crown composed of a prefabricated coping designed for artificial strength densely sintered ceramic material with powder metallurgical methods. The tooth crown is given the final shape by a veneer material attached to the external surface of the coping by e.g., firing or dental porcelain. The tooth crown can be made in less manufacturing time with an increase in the strength and the accuracy to shape.

Abstract: A false tooth is made by first making a base that may correspond to the patient's mouth but that has no crown, then modeling a plurality of separate crown pieces that interfit complementarily to form a crown, and finally anchoring the pieces so that they form a complete crown atop the base.

Abstract: Metal dental articles with a layer of exogenous inorganic oxide thereon, and a method of applying such a layer, which method involves heating a coating of a coupling agent for a temperature and for a time sufficient to convert the coating to a layer of exogenous inorganic oxide.

Abstract: A dental prosthesis comprises an element fixed in a mouth, a removable dental porsthesis component placed on the element, and a removable connection of the dental prosthesis component with the element and including vertical groove formed in an adjacent surface in each of the element and the component, the grooves being located immediately opposite to one another and open into one another, the connection further including a resilient friction element engaging in the grooves.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for securing a veneer onto a tooth substrate comprising removing enamel in a matrix pattern, to a predetermined depth, from the lingual or buccal surfaces of the tooth, removing the remaining outer enamel layer intermediate the matrix pattern, to the predetermined minimum depth, to provide a first, substantially level excavated enamel surface, further excavating a plurality of compact areas on the first excavated enamel surface to an additional predetermined depth therebelow, but without exposing dentin, to form an indexed enamel surface, taking an impression of such indexed enamel surface, and obtaining from said mold a dental veneer, the dental veneer having a first surface which can mate with such indexed excavated enamel surface, and a second outer surface providing an attractive dentitious appearance; and adhering the indexed veneer surface to the indexed enamel surface, so as to accurately place the veneer on a tooth as an attractive outer labial or buccal surface

Abstract: A ceramic implant comprising a sintered body of zirconia and a coating layer of a porous sintered body of a mixture comprising .alpha.-tricalcium phosphate and zirconia, or hydroxyapatite and zirconia formed on the surface of the sintered body of zirconia.

Abstract: A device for the placement, seating and cementation of a restorative element having a top surface, onto a tooth comprises a flexible strip portion having a top surface, a bottom surface and a bite element for allowing the patient to apply dynamic biting pressure to the restorative element to position and hold the restorative element in its proper seated position on the tooth. Adhesive is provided on the bottom surface of the flexible strip portion for removably securing the strip portion to the restorative element and for positioning the bite element adjacent to the top surface of the restorative element.

Abstract: Disclosed is an oral applicator for the application of an active substance in the form of a hollow structure corresponding substantially in shape and dimensions to an external form of a crown of one or more natural teeth and adapted to contain the active substance, the hollow structure having one or more passage openings for the controlled release of certain amounts of the active substance, the passage openings being a buccal and/or palatal or lingual portion for the passage of saliva and of the active substance dissolved therein.

Abstract: A dental crown restoration which comprises a metal coping and a relatively thick outer coating of a ceramic dental veneer. The metal coping is composed of a lamination of a low fusing temperature precious metal component substantially or entirely of gold and a high-fusing temperature precious metal component. The high fusing component is formed from three layers with one layer composed of from 90 to 100% palladium bounded on both sides by a gold based layer.

Abstract: An artificial tooth for anterior teeth portions including a concave hollow extending from a basal segment to a lingual incisal segment and located in a substantially central segment, wherein: a percentage of the major diameter of the hollow to the full length is in a range of 10% to 100%, a maximum depth of the hollow is in a range of 0.5 mm to 5.0 mm and a minimum thickness of a cervical segment is in a range of 0.1 mm to 5.0 mm, and a width and length of the cervical segment being defined in terms of a percentage of the cervical minimum mesiodistal length to the maximum mediodistal length being in a range of 50% to 100% and a percentage of the cervical major diameter to the full major diameter being in a range of 10% to 50%.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to an artificial tooth crown composed of glass ceramics comprising crystallized calcium phosphate forming essentially apatite which is a main inorganic component of natural bones or teeth. The disclosure also relates to a method of producing the artificial tooth crown. The artificial tooth crown has superior dimensional accuracy since it is made by precision casting. The tooth crown can be securely adhered by a dental cement such as glass ionomer. Furthermore, the physical properties of the tooth crown are very similar to those of the natural teeth, and the wear caused by the biting motion between the tooth crown and its mating tooth does not differ from that caused by the biting motion between the natural teeth. Furthermore, the method does not differ from the conventional precision casting method.

Abstract: An improved dental bridge and method of construction thereof is disclosed. The bridge has no exposed metal. The abutment teeth are prepared and have opposing notches cut into the occlusal surfaces thereof. Impressions are made and a master and opposing model prepared therefrom. The model abutment teeth are prepared as dies and a refractory model then developed from the master model. A metal pontic rod is prepared, opaqued, and installed in the refractory model notches. After coating the abutment teeth and pontic rod with a porcelain mix and curing, all porcelain crowns are built over the abutment models and one or more all porcelain pontics are built over the pontic rod. After curing and glazing of the dental bridge, the refractory model is cut away from the bridge.

Abstract: A slitted metal foil and method for forming a dental coping comprised of a composite body formed from at least two layers of precious metal with at least one or more slits extending from the perimeter to a location at or relatively close to the center of the foil to form slitted ends adapted to be overlaid to form a coping having a conical or frusto-conical shape.

Abstract: A dental cap for the veneer of a jacket crown comprising a noble metal foil in substantially frusto-conical shape, which starting from a substantially circular foil piece is formed by folding the outer region in the direction towards the axis of rotation to form overlappings, the outer region of the foil piece being divided into flaps and the overlapping regions being joined inseparably together. For dividing the outer region two different types of cuts are made from the outer edge in the direction towards a surface area disposed in the center and as a result of said cuts the dental cap is completely closed in the side wall region by overlappings there.

Abstract: A dental prosthesis with a metal body which has an internal cavity open at one end and which is provided with a facing of plastic, ceramic or the like is to be comparatively light and is to be of adequate strength, as well as being able to be used as posts for bridge constructions.For that purpose it is proposed that the metal body is formed as a carrier element (12) from a filigree grid or lattice having meshes, and is fixedly connected to the facing which surrounds same as a casing layer (10). In addition, two carrier elements (12) formed from the grid or lattice are to be connected by at least one bar (22) and supplemented by a grid or lattice portion (23) cast thereon, to form a bridge construction (21).

Abstract: The dental sleeve has a cylindrical or a cylindrical and conical shape having a height and circumference corresponding to that of the tooth stump or model to be enclosed. In terms of material, it is a composite foil which includes at least two layers and in which the inner layer, and optionally also the outer layer, consists of fine gold or a gold alloy, while the other layer or layers consist of platinum, palladium, silver, indium or iridium or of alloys of such metals or of alloys of such metals and gold. The cylindrical shape is produced by spot-welding the inner gold layer on the two narrow sides of the foil with a special welding technique. The dental sleeve is used as a carrier for a composite ceramic crown.

Abstract: Dental crowns with cap portions of adjustable height are applied to selected natural teeth of a dental patient to prevent bite closing occlusion until the other unaltered teeth have erupted to reestablish bite with respect to a new desired occlusal scheme to thereby correctively change mandibular/condyle position.

Abstract: Translucent feldspathic dental porcelain compositions and dental restoration made therefrom exhibiting a crystalline leucite content of at least about 45% by weight, wherein said leucite crystallites exhibit a size of less than about 35 microns, comprising:______________________________________ Component Percentage (by weight) ______________________________________ SiO.sub.2 55-70 Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 16-20 CaO 0.5-5.0 MgO 0.5-5.0 Li.sub.2 O 1.0-5.0 Na.sub.2 O 2.0-5.0 K.sub.2 O 12.5-22.5 Ce.sub.2 O.sub.3 0-1.0 ______________________________________said dental restorations exhibit a compressive strength of at least about 125,000 p.s.i., a flexural strength of at least about 16,000 p.s.i., and a diametral tensile strength of at least about 6,000 p.s.i., thereby obviating the need for metal as ceramic supports.

Abstract: A metal foil for forming a dental coping in the construction of a dental restoration comprising at least two or more layers of precious metal with a disc-like shape and a cross-section of variable thickness and/or an undulating surface geometry.

Abstract: The dental jacket crown of the present invention is prepared from a thin metal foil substrate which is coated with a noble based metal composition having a low fusing temperature and folded in a predetermined manner to form a multiple number of triangular like flaps or pleats. The folded foil represents the coping of the present invention. The coping is mounted over a die of the prepared tooth and the flaps wrapped in overlapping formation and then adapted to the die. The die is removed and the structure heated preferably under a bunsen burner. A veneering material such as porcelain is then coated over the structure to form the crown.

Abstract: The dental jacket crown of the present invention is prepared from a thin metal foil substrate which is coated with a noble based metal composition having a low fusing temperature and folded in a predetermined manner to form multiple folds in the form of triangular like flaps or pleats. The folded foil represents the coping of the present invention. The coping is mounted over a die of the prepared tooth and the flaps wrapped in overlapping formation and then adapted to the die. The die is removed and the structure heated preferably under a bunsen burner. A bonding material may be coated over the free standing structure if desired. A veneering material such as porcelain is then coated over the structure to form the crown.