Abstract: Ready-to-use preshaped, prefabricated cured structural components are prepared in a variety of shapes and sizes to be used in the fabrication of dental appliances. Preferably the structural components are fabricated of a fiber-reinforced composite material comprising fibers impregnated with a polymeric matrix. The polymeric matrix is partially or fully cured to the point of sufficient hardness to provide a ready-to-use structural component for use in the fabrication of dental appliances such as orthodontic retainers, bridges, space maintainers, tooth replacement appliances, splints, crowns, partial crowns, dentures, posts, teeth, jackets, inlays, onlays, facings, veneers, facets, implants, abutments, cylinders, and connectors.

Abstract: A dental restoration comprising a porcelain composition, comprising a glassy matrix and leucite crystallites embedded therein, and having maturing temperatures in the range from about 680.degree. C. to about 870.degree. C. and CTEs in the range from about 12 to about 15, more preferably in the range from about 12.5 to about 14.5, and most preferably in the range from about 13.1 to about 14.5.times.10.sup.-6 /.degree. C. (measured from 25.degree. C. to 470.degree. C.). The porcelain is used in combination with a ceramic core or metal framework. The ceramic core comprises cubic leucite and exhibits maturing temperatures less than about 1200.degree. C. and CTEs in the range of about 12.5 to about 15.0.times.10.sup.-6 /.degree. C. (measured from 25.degree. C. to 500.degree. C.).

Abstract: A primer/bonding composition for dental restorations comprising a photoinitiator system and a monomer system consisting essentially of at least one polymerizable acidic component and at least one hydrophilic monomer. The presence of a high viscosity monomer such as Bis-GMA is not required. The composition has excellent bonding properties, and is shelf-stable for at least about one year when stored in one container.

Abstract: A hybrid fiber-reinforced structural component for dental restorations, wherein the hybrid reinforcing fibers comprise a core having a composite sheath bonded thereto. Preferably, the core comprises a material having a high modulus, such as tungsten, tantalum, niobium, boron or carbon. The composite sheath comprises fibers disposed within a polymeric matrix material, preferably the fibers glass or polyethylene fibers. The hybrid fiber-reinforced composite is particularly useful as a structural component for bridges or for reinforcement of a tooth restoration after endodontic treatment.

Abstract: A method for producing a machinable feldspathic porcelain comprising leucite is presented. Machinability is imparted to feldspathic porcelains by achieving homogeneous distribution of fine crystalline constituent comprised of at least one of the following leucite phases: potassium tetragonal leucite, rubidium leucite, cesium stabilized cubic leucite, rubidium stabilized cubic leucite, and pollucite. The porcelains produced in accordance with the present invention are readily machinable by using available diamond tooling techniques. Furthermore, the porcelains are especially useful for the fabrication of dental restorations using CAD/CAM technology.

Abstract: A dental porcelain composition, comprising a glassy matrix and leucite crystallites embedded therein, and having maturing temperatures in the range from about 600.degree. C. to about 885.degree. C. and CTEs in the range from about 11 to about 19, more preferably in the range from about 11.5 to about 18, and most preferably in the range from about 12 to about 17.5.times.10.sup.-6 /.degree.C. (measured from 25.degree. C. to 500.degree. C.). The tetragonal leucite is preferably both fine-grained (i.e, having average diameters of less than about 7 microns) and uniformly-sized. Preferably, the average diameters are less than about 1 to about 3 microns.

Abstract: A new nickel-chromium alloy having high rigidity, castability, corrosion and oxidation resistance and easy workability is disclosed. The alloy comprises from about 45 to 81% nickel by weight, from about 13 to 25% chromium by weight, from about 3 to 15% tungsten by weight, and silicon and aluminum in the range from about 1 to about 6% by weight each. The new alloy has a high concentration of tungsten.

Abstract: A dental porcelain composition comprising a continuous glassy phase and a discontinuous, substantially uniform crystalline phase comprising cubic leucite. The porcelain exhibits coefficients of thermal expansion in the range of about 11 to about 17.times.10.sup.-6 /.degree. C. (measured from 25.degree. C. to 500.degree. C.) and fusion temperatures in the range of about 700.degree. C. to about 1200.degree. C. The porcelain composition of the present invention can be used to form dental restorations such as cores for all ceramic restorations. The cubic leucite phase is uniformly dispersed in the glass matrix and has an average grain size not exceeding about 4 .mu.m and about 95% of the leucite grains do not exceed about 8 .mu.m in diameter.

Abstract: A dental porcelain composition, comprising a glassy matrix and rubidium leucite crystallites embedded therein, and having maturing temperatures in the range from about 650.degree. C. to about 800.degree. C. and CTEs in the range from about 13 to about 17, more preferably in the range from about 13.5 to about 16, and most preferably in the range from about 14 to about 16.times.10.sup.-6 /.degree. C. (measured from 25.degree. C. to 400.degree. C.). The tetragonal rubidium leucite is preferably both fine-grained (i.e., having average diameters of less than about 5 microns) and uniformly sized. Preferably, the average diameters are less than about 1 to about 2 microns.

Abstract: Porcelain compositions of the present invention possess non-greening properties and comprise one or more glass or glass-ceramic components. Additionally, an oxygen release agent is included in the compositions. The porcelain compositions may vary depending upon the specific thermal properties desired.The application temperature of the porcelain compositions ranges from about 600.degree. C. to about 930.degree. C. depending upon the method of application of the porcelain. The coefficient of thermal expansion is preferably in the range of about 11.times.10.sup.-6 /.degree. C. to about 16.times.10.sup.-6 /.degree. C. The porcelain is compatible with cores and/or substrates having coefficients of thermal expansion in the range of about 11 to about 20.times.10.sup.-6 /.degree. C.

Abstract: The present invention relates to unique dental structures such as bridges and crowns. The bridge comprises a structural component such as a fiber reinforced polymeric matrix bar disposed within interproximal cavities located in the distal occlusal surface of the mesial abutment tooth and the mesial occlusal surface of the distal abutment tooth. A structural wrap and/or occlusal strip comprising fibers embedded within a polymeric matrix can also be employed where the wrap is attached to one or both abutment teeth and one or both sides of the structural component. The occlusal strip is attached to the occlusal surface of both of the abutment teeth, spans the edentulous area, and is attached to the top surface of the structural component. Meanwhile, the crown comprises a wrap disposed around and adhered to a damaged natural tooth and may have an occlusal strip adhered to the occlusal surface of the natural tooth where the wrap is disposed around the edge of the occlusal strip.

Abstract: A fiber-reinforced composite material for use in dental restorations such as dental bridges, splints, veneers, and laminates, wherein the composite material comprises a glass fiber material which has been heat treated at a temperature less than or equal to the annealing temperature of the glass for a length of time effective to prevent separation and fraying of the edges of the material upon cutting. The heat treatment therefore greatly enhances the ease of preparation of the dental restorations.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for preparing the color of a dental restoration using a spectrophotometer and a unique color system for porcelain dental restorations which enables a dentist or technician to manipulate the various color components of the porcelain, hue, chroma, value, and translucency, independently. Color component deltas between consecutive colors in the powder sets are equidistant, with the difference in values being linear in color space. This enables simplified, exact matching of a specified color component value. The method comprises illuminating an abutting tooth with light, gathering reflected light, converting the gathered light to analog signals, correct for ambient light interference, translucency effects (if necessary) and varying illumination, using the result to obtain accurate color component values, and employing those values to chose and, where necessary, mix the appropriate powers to obtain the correct color porcelain for the desired dental restoration.

Abstract: Porcelain compositions of the present invention comprise one or more glass or glass-ceramic powder components. Additionally, one or more opacifying agents, pigments, fluorescing agents and the like may be included in the composition. Based on volume percent, 10% of the particulate in the porcelain has a particle size of less than between about 1.1 microns and about 1.5 microns, 50% of the particulate in the porcelain has a particle size of less than between about 3 and about 6 microns, 90% of the particulate in the porcelain has a particle size of less than between about 8 and about 13.5 microns, and the maximum particle size of the particulate is greater than about 20 microns and less than about 60 microns. The mean particle size is preferably in the range of about 3.0 microns to about 6.5 microns.

Abstract: A kit is presented, comprising at least a condensable composite and an amalgam carrier. The condensable composite is further provided in premeasured amounts, that is, in amounts of one spill, two spills, or three spills. In another embodiment, the kit further comprises a flowable composite material, and in still another embodiment, the kit further comprises a flowable composite material and dispenser, an etchant, a primer/adhesive, a plugger, and brush tips. The kit is especially useful in forming posterior dental restorations that are aesthetic, strongly-bonded, and wear-resistant. The restorations have negligible shrinkage upon polymerization.

Abstract: A composite for a dental restoration is presented comprising ground, densified, embrittled glass fibers together with fillers and a polymeric matrix precursor composition. The ground, densified, embrittled glass fibers are obtained by grinding glass fibers which have been densified and embrittled by heating glass fibers at a temperature substantially below the softening point of the glass fibers, without significant fusion or melting together of the fibers. The composite is particularly useful as a direct filling material, in that it has the feel and workability of an amalgam.

Abstract: A method and kit is presented, wherein a prepared tooth cavity is etched; treated with a primer/adhesive which is cured; treated with a flowable composite and cured; and then filled with a condensable composite, using techniques and instruments developed for use with amalgams. Such techniques include transferring the composite with an amalgam carrier, and shaping and packing the composite with an amalgam plugger. The dental restoration may optionally be further etched and sealed. The kit comprises at least a condensable composite and an amalgam carrier. The condensable composite is further provided in premeasured amounts, that is, in amounts of one spill, two spills, or three spills. In another embodiment, the kit further comprises a flowable composite material, and in still another embodiment, the kit further comprises a flowable composite material and dispenser, an etchant, a primer/adhesive, a plugger, and brush tips.

Abstract: A curable silicone dental impression composition is presented, preferably comprising a polyorganohydrogensiloxane having at least one silicon-bonded hydrogen atom; a silicone polymer having at least alkenyl groups; a vinyl siloxane/platinum/palladium catalyst complex; and inorganic fillers and other additives known in the art. The catalyst in accordance with the present invention is a complex of 1,3-divinyltetramethyldisiloxane and hexachloroplatinic acid doped with palladium, and prevents outgassing of hydrogen. The final catalyst complex has a platinum content in the range from about 1.1%-1.2% platinum and 500-600 ppm palladium.