Abstract: A process for making a ceramic inlay for filling a cavity in a tooth. A piece of metal foil is pressed into a depression in a jig, where the depression approximates the shape of the cavity; the pressed metal foil is annealed and the pressing and annealing steps are repeated until the foil has a concave depression roughly the same size and shape as the cavity. A ceramic layer is built up on the concave foil to form a ceramic inlay substantially reconstructing the tooth.

Abstract: A dental prosthetic device is provided comprising a coping adapted to be placed on at least one abutment tooth to an edentulous region. A pontic metal substructure adapted to be joined to the coping and a ceramic buildup to fill the edentulous region are also provided. Also provided are metal-porcelain dental restorations which can be made in a two-layer or three-layer structure. The first layer closely fits the contours of the abutment teeth and ceramic and the additional layer complete the restoration. One or both of the other layers may be stainless steel mesh.

Abstract: A metal porcelain dental restoration for filling an edentulous region is provided. The dental restoration comprises a first layer of a thin metal foil which closely fits the contours of the two abutment teeth on either side of the edentulous region, a layer of ceramic on the first metal foil layer, a second layer of thin metal foil connected to the ceramic layer and extending at least across the joint from the abutment teeth to the edentulous region and a ceramic build-up to fill the edentulous region.

Abstract: A metal foil is provided for use in a metal-porcelain dental restoration, which metal foil provides improved color qualities to the finished restoration and improved bonding of the metal to the porcelain. The metal foil is made of an alloy comprising a major amount of gold, an amount of platinum or palladium, and an amount of a non-precious metal. An improved dental veneer and dental bridge can also be made using the metal foil of the invention.

Abstract: A method is provided for uniformly fitting a foil to a die in the manufacture of a porcelain-metal dental restoration, the method including the application isostatic pressure to a foil covered die. The inventive method is more economical and not as laborious as prior art methods, and provides a superior fit of the foil to the die, resulting in a better quality restoration.