Abstract: The dental bonding material of the present invention comprises a composition of precious metal particles consisting essentially of high fusing temperature metal particles having a melting temperature above at least about 1200° C. in a size range between 1 micron and 150 microns and low fusing temperature metal particles having a melting temperature below about 1080° C. with or without a suitable carrier for coating or brushing the dental bonding material upon the surface of a metal framework or coping. The dental bonding material may further include a conventional flux preferably containing the element boron in a concentration of between 0 and 5% by weight of the dental material. It is essential to heat treat the bonding-material after it is coated on the metal surface at a temperature below the melting temperature of the high fusing temperature metal particles and high enough to cause a partial melting of the low fusing temperature metal particles but not a complete melting thereof.

Abstract: The dental bonding material of the present invention comprises a composition of precious metal particles consisting essentially of high fusing temperature metal particles having a melting temperature above at least about 1200° C. in a size range between 1 micron and 150 microns and low fusing temperature metal particles having a melting temperature below about 1080° C. with or without a suitable carrier for coating or brushing the dental bonding material upon the surface of a metal framework or coping. The dental bonding material may further include a conventional flux preferably containing the element boron in a concentration of between 0 and 5% by weight of the dental material. It is essential to heat treat the bonding material after it is coated on the metal surface at a temperature below the melting temperature of the high fusing temperature metal particles and high enough to cause a partial melting of the low fusing temperature metal particles but not a complete melting thereof.

Abstract: An automated method for forming a dental coping which comprises: scanning a three dimensional image of the die of the tooth or teeth to be restored; digitizing the scanned three dimensional image into digital information, storing the digital information in a computer; feeding the digital information from the computer into a computerized numerical control cutting machine; cutting out a section of material of metallic composition into a two dimensional configuration representing a two dimensional lay out of the scanned three dimensional image, adapting the cut out section of material over the die so that the material covers the die surface in close engagement therewith to form a single three dimensional structure having the shape of the die and heat treating the structure into a coping conforming in shape to the die.

Abstract: An automated method for forming a dental coping which comprises: scanning a three dimensional image of the die of the tooth or teeth to be restored; digitizing the scanned three dimensional image into digital information, storing the digital information in a computer; feeding the digital information from the computer into a computerized numerical control cutting machine; cutting out a section of material of metallic composition into a two dimensional configuration representing a two dimensional lay out of the scanned three dimensional image, adapting the cut out section of material over the die so that the material covers the die surface in close engagement therewith to form a single three dimensional structure having the shape of the die and heat treating the structure, into a coping conforming in shape to the die.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for forming, repairing or restoring a dental restoration which includes the steps of forming a base material of high-fusing temperature metal particles, low fusing temperature metal particles and a volatile binder substantially or entirely of wax; applying the base material to a die; shaping the base material upon said die into the desired configuration of the dental restoration; removing the configured base material from the die; combining particles of activated carbon with investment material to form a combined dental investment material having activated carbon in a concentration above at least 0.005 wt. % of the combined dental investment material; filling the configured base material with the combined dental investment material; heat treating the shaped base material in the investment at temperatures up to 1200.degree. C.

Abstract: A moldable dental composition including high-fusing temperature metal particles and a binder comprising wax preferably in a concentration of above at least twenty percent (20%) of the composition. The high-fusing temperature metal particles should have an irregular nonspherical geometry and a thin cross-sectional average thickness. The moldable dental composition may also contain low fusing temperature metal particles for enhanced wetting of the high fusing metal particles during heat treatment at a heat treatment temperature which will substantially melt the low fusing metal particles. However it is not essential to the subject invention for the composition to contain low fusing metal particles.

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 volatile binder, composed substantially or entirely of wax, with the binder having a concentration of between thirty (30%) to eighty percent (80%) by volume of the mixture. The average particle size of the high-fusing metal particles are above one micron, and preferably between four microns and eighty microns in size. The composition is heat treated at a temperature to melt the low-fusing temperature metal particles and to eliminate the binder, leaving a porous metal structure with a void volume above thirty percent (30%). The voids are filled using a filler material of metal or ceramic.

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, finely divided carbonaceous particles, preferably of activated carbon, and a volatile binder in a concentration, such that upon heat treatment at a temperature below the melting temperature of the high-fusing temperature metal particles but sufficient to melt the low-fusing temperature metal particles and binder, a porous metal structure is formed having a capillary network of voids and a high void volume. The voids are filled using a filler material of metal or ceramic.

Abstract: A metal composite and method for filling a dental cavity independent of cavity size. The dental metal composite comprises high-fusing temperature particles, low-fusing temperature particles, and a wax binder, and is inserted into the cavity to replicate the cavity, removed for heat treatment, densified, and reinserted to complete the filling operation.

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: A method for constructing a dental bridge using a prefabricated pontic, comprising positioning the pontic between metal retainers placed on a die formed from an impression of the abutment teeth to be restored, with the pontic having an arm with a free end extending approximate each metal retainer. The pontic and metal retainers are invested with refractory investment for forming a soldering model. A dental material composed of high- and low-fusing temperature metal particles form a porous structure defining an interproximal joint between the free end of each pontic and the corresponding retainer. A dental solder is added over the dental material and the model is heat treated to a first temperature above the melting temperature of the low-fusing temperature metal particles in the dental material. The temperature is then raised to melt the dental solder which fills the voids in the porous structure to form a solid joint between the pontic and each retainer of superior strength.

Abstract: A dental swager for adapting a dental foil coping to a die of the tooth to be restored, comprising a male punch and a female base support in which the die of the tooth to be restored is mounted with the foil coping placed over the die. An insert is located in the male punch for transferring the force applied to the punch to the coping and die. The insert is composed of a solid material having an elastic memory. A shock absorber having a putty-like consistency separates the insert from the male punch.

Abstract: A dental material of a metal composition for reinforcing the metal framework of a dental restoration comprising an aggregate combination of metal particles including a first high fusing temperature precious metal component and a second low fusing temperature component which form a porous sponge-like structure upon heat treatment.

Abstract: The method and material of the present inventioin includes a combination of a high-fusing temperature metal component and a low-fusing temperature metal component which are adapted to be heat treated at a temperature above the melting temperature of the low-fusing temperature metal component, such that a porous, sponge-like structure is formed with a total void volume of 20-80%.

Abstract: The prefabricated dental pontic of the present invention comprises a metal body having a mesiodistal dimension shorter than the span between the abutment teeth separating an edentulous space to be filled with the pontic and an arm extending from each opposite end of the metal body with each arm having a trough-like channel. A pontic connector is preferably used to mount each arm to a retaining member mounted on each abutment tooth.

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: The dental prosthesis of the present invention includes a plurality of flexible metal arm connectors which extend from a common member in forming a bridge or from a common joint in forming a splint. The arm connectors are adapted to be affixed to adjacent retaining members on the abutment teeth to be restored. The arm connectors must be sufficient in length to make reasonable contact with the buccal and lingual surfaces and preferably should contact the occlusal surface as well. The arm connectors may be ring-like in geometry and/or be corrugated for expansion.

Abstract: A dental material of a metal composition for reinforcing the metal framework of a dental restoration comprising an aggregate combination of metal particles including a first high fusing temperature precious metal component and a second low fusing temperature precious metal component. The particles of the first component are in a proportion of 1-15% by volume of the total composition and have a particle size at least about five times larger than the particle size of the second component.

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 invention relates to the construction of a prefabricated pontic for use in constructing a dental bridge. The prefabricated pontic has a framework that is adjustable in that it is comprised of a plurality of pliable metal members which interconnect for an open skeleton framework including an elongated central member extending lengthwise from the mesial to the distal and at least two members having open ends which overlap the central member at the mesial and distal ends with the open ends being separable from each other for adjusting the framework.