Abstract: Pressure assisted sintering achieves full densification in short sinter times with low grain growth. This result is enabled by a stage of sintering to a condition of closed porosity (14) followed by a pressure assisted sinter (PAS) stage (16) carried out at a temperature close to, but just below, sinter temperature. Advantageously a small melt formation is induced by a brief temperature spiking (18) during the PAS stage to enable collapse of voids.

Abstract: An implantable tooth for humans is made by first extracting the natural tooth and producing therefrom an exact replica of at least the root portion of the tooth, formed of porous metal or ceramic with or without the application of a surface coating of dental porcelain or the like to the replica. It is then permanently implanted in the natural tooth socket with or without a stabilizing means anchored to the underlying alveolar bone. It is contemplated that the method is also applicable to a complete tooth with the porosity localized in the root area. More usually, a porcelain cap or the like would be used to top the root prosthesis.