Abstract: A method for defining different layer elements of an artificial tooth element, having the following steps: defining an interface between an inner core element and an outer layer element at least partially surrounding the inner core element; selecting an additional layer element from a provided selection list containing a plurality of additional layer elements; and automatically arranging the at least one selected additional layer element in spatially defined relation to the core element and/or the outer layer element.

Abstract: A dental furnace for firing dental-ceramic compounds, comprising a combustion chamber for receiving ceramic elements to be fired. The heating of the combustion chamber is carried out using a heating device. The heating device is connected to an evaluation device via a resistance measuring device. The temperature in the combustion chamber and/or an operating state of the dental furnace can be determined using the evaluation device.

Abstract: A preform intended for the production of a dental prosthesis. The preform includes a group of agglomerated ceramic, glass-ceramic or glass particles, such that, as volume percents: more than 40% and less than 90% of the particles of said group have a size greater than 0.5 ?m and less than 3.5 ?m, said particles hereinafter being denoted “enamel particles”, and more than 10% and less than 60% of the particles of said group have a size greater than 3.5 ?m and less than 5.5 ?m, said particles hereinafter being denoted “dentine particles.” The microstructure of the preform is such that there is an axis X, termed “axis of variation”, along which the Ve/(Ve+Vd) ratio changes continuously, Ve and Vd denoting the volume percents of enamel particles and of dentine particles, respectively. The enamel and dentine particles representing, together, more than 90% of the volume of the agglomerated particles.

Abstract: The invention relates to glass-ceramics based on the lithium silicate system which can be mechanically machined easily in an intermediate step of crystallization and, after complete crystallisation, represent a very strong, highly-translucent and chemically-stable glass-ceramic Likewise, the invention relates to a method for the production of these glass-ceramics. The glass-ceramics according to the invention are used as dental material.

Abstract: Disclosed is a heating element for a dental furnace including a tube element for accommodating a heating coil inside the tube element. At least one closing element may be connected to at least one open end of the tube element, wherein electrical connectors may be led through the closing element and fused with the element. The tube element may be made from a ceramic material, such as oxide ceramics, that may be connected to the connector via a plurality of intermediate glasses/transition glasses and glass solder to compensate for different heat expansion coefficients such that up to 500° C. gas escaping from the tube element may not enter due to a thermal action, providing that operational safety of the heating element is ensured. Further, disclosed is a dental furnace including such a heating element.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a glass ceramic for veneering a dental frame structure, wherein said glass ceramic is characterized by a high content of B2O3, to a process for the preparation thereof, and to the use thereof in the production of dental restorations.

Abstract: A method for defining at least one boundary surface inside an artificial tooth element, the method comprising the steps of: aligning the tooth element with a coordinate system which preferably relates to anatomically defined directional terms; defining a first boundary curve on the tooth surface; determining a tooth surface located incisally/occlusally with respect to the first boundary curve; and moving this tooth surface inwards in the direction of the surface normal by different amounts in order to produce the at least one boundary surface, in particular the first boundary surface, wherein the different amounts of the movement involve variable design parameters.

Abstract: An artificial tooth element which is insertable into a cavity of a prosthesis base and has an outer part and an inner part. The outer part is the part of the artificial tooth element which is visible in the inserted state. Consequently, the inner part is the part of the artificial tooth element which is not visible in the inserted state. The inner part has a surface which has, at least partially, in particular completely, a defined surface roughness.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for producing a workpiece made of glass ceramics, and to the workpiece obtainable by the process according to the invention. Further, the invention relates to the use of the workpiece obtained as a dental restoration, and to a process allowing the translucency of a workpiece to be controlled.

Abstract: An assistance system for dental treatment, particularly for changing tooth color, is provided herein, including a measuring device for determining tooth data. The data captured is transmitted from the measuring device to a data processing means. The data processing means includes a camera for capturing a tooth mage. Using a selection means, a color change level for the tooth image or the teeth is specified and, thereafter, the tooth image is adapted based on the selected color change level using an adaptation means. Thus, it is possible to show the patient an image of a color change of his teeth caused by the dental treatment in relation to the appearance of his face, so the patient can judge a color change in relation to his or her face.

Abstract: A non-dense sintered ceramic molded body having at least two layers, wherein a first powdery ceramic material forming a layer is contacted with at least a second powdery material forming at least a second layer. The body has a color gradient and maintains dimensional stability during sintering and forming. An admixing component and a common sintering temperature are used to control the volume decrease of the layers during sintering.

Abstract: The invention relates to glass-ceramics based on the lithium silicate system which can be mechanically machined easily in an intermediate step of crystallisation and, after complete crystallisation, represent a very strong, highly-translucent and chemically-stable glass-ceramic. Likewise, the invention relates to a method for the production of these glass-ceramics. The glass-ceramics according to the invention are used as dental material.

Abstract: The invention relates to glass-ceramics based on the lithium silicate system which can be mechanically machined easily in an intermediate step of crystallisation and, after complete crystallisation, represent a very strong, highly-translucent and chemically-stable glass-ceramic. Likewise, the invention relates to a method for the production of these glass-ceramics. The glass-ceramics according to the invention are used as dental material.

Abstract: The invention relates to glass ceramics based on the lithium metasilicate system (Li2O.SiO2(Li2SiO3)), which are mechanically processible in a simple manner in an intermediate stage of the crystallization and, after complete crystallization, represent a high-strength, highly translucent and chemically stable glass ceramic.

Abstract: A process for producing a non-dense sintered ceramic molded body having at least two layers, wherein a first powdery ceramic material forming a layer is contacted with at least a second powdery material forming at least a second layer; said first powdery material has a presintering temperature T1 that is higher than the presintering temperature Ts of said at least second powdery ceramic material; the course of a curve of shrinkage S1 of said at least first powdery ceramic material differs from the course of a curve of shrinkage S2 of said at least second powdery material, wherein curve of shrinkage S1 is shifted towards higher temperatures as compared to curve of shrinkage S2; and the layers are subjected to a common temperature treatment at a presintering temperature Ts that is lower than the presintering temperature T1 and at least equal to T3 to cause sintering that remains in a stage of sintering that has not proceeded to the theoretical density; wherein the curve of shrinkage S1 is modified by admixing a

Abstract: The invention relates to glass-ceramics based on the lithium disilicate system which can be mechanically machined easily in an intermediate step of crystallisation and, after complete crystallisation, represent a very strong, highly-translucent and chemically-stable glass-ceramic. Likewise, the invention relates to a method for the production of these glass-ceramics. The glass-ceramics according to the invention are used as dental material.

Abstract: A porous, silicate, ceramic body, optionally with different colors, with a first density, can be sintered into a silicate, ceramic body with a second density, wherein the ratio of the first density to the second density is 2/5 to 98/100, and the three-point bending strength of the porous, silicate ceramic body with a first density, measured according to ISO 6872, is 25 to 180 MPa.

Abstract: A dental furnace for firing dental-ceramic compounds comprises a firing chamber for receiving ceramic elements to be fired. Further, a heating device for heating and firing the ceramic element is provided. The heating device comprises at least one heating element for producing IR radiation in the range of 0.8-5 ?m.

Abstract: A method for preparing a partial or full dental prosthesis comprising 1.1. acquiring a patient's oral situation by taking an impression or by digital recording; 1.2. if required, digitizing the patient's oral situation; 1.3. selecting the teeth forming the dental prosthesis from a library of teeth or groups of teeth to obtain a virtual set-up of the teeth, which is positioned virtually in a space that takes the acquired patient's situation into account; 1.3.1 said library contains designs of dental arches, tooth shapes, tooth sizes 1.3.2 said library contains designs of the gingiva, and 1.3.3 said library contains total set-ups and/or modular set-ups for all of Angle's bite classes; 1.4. if required, modifying the set-up obtained from the library; 1.5. virtually embedding the teeth arranged in the virtual set-up in a virtual gingiva; 1.6 producing the real prosthesis.

Abstract: The invention relates to glass-ceramics based on the lithium silicate system which can be mechanically machined easily in an intermediate step of crystallisation and, after complete crystallisation, represent a very strong, highly-translucent and chemically-stable glass-ceramic. Likewise, the invention relates to a method for the production of these glass-ceramics. The glass-ceramics according to the invention are used as dental material.