Abstract: An endodontic obturator comprising a shaft section and a filler section fabricated of the same material and formed as a single unit. A handle section may be included and may be formed integrally with the shaft section and filler section as a single unit, or may be fabricated separately and attached to the single unit containing the shaft section and the filler section. An endodontic post is provided having a post section and a filler section fabricated of the same matrix material to provide a cohesive bond between the two sections.

Abstract: Dental restorations are fabricated using metal powder. Preferably, the metal powder is a high fusing metal and preferably, the metal powder comprises a non-oxidizing metal. The metal powder is applied to a die and is covered with a covering material such as a refractory die material preferably in the form of a flowable paste. A second covering material may be sprinkled or dusted onto the paste. The model is then dried prior to firing. After drying, the model is sintered to provide a high strength metal restoration. After sintering, the outer shell can be broken off easily with one's hand to expose the sintered coping.

Abstract: Dental restorations are fabricated using metal powder. Preferably, the metal powder is a high fusing metal and preferably, the metal powder comprises a non-oxidizing metal. The metal powder is applied to a die and is covered with a covering material such as a refractory die material preferably in the form of a flowable paste. A second covering material may be sprinkled or dusted onto the paste. The model is then dried prior to firing. After drying, the model is sintered to provide a high strength metal restoration. After sintering, the outer shell can be broken off easily with one's hand to expose the sintered coping.

Abstract: Dental alloys are provided having a coefficient of thermal expansion in the range from about 8 to about 18×10−6/° C. in the temperature range of 25-500° C. and melting temperatures above about 800° C. but below about 1500° C. The alloys contain gold in combination with a small amount of chromium and/or tantalum. Other elements may also be included with the gold and chromium and/or tantalum to provide the necessary forming, melting, and mechanical properties required to manufacture the desired dental restoration.

Abstract: High strength ceramic components for use in dental applications are provided wherein one or more layers of ceramic material is disposed on a high strength ceramic component to provide a dental restoration. The ceramic material may be applied in the form of powder, putty, tape a pellet.

Abstract: A dental restoration comprises a ceramic core material having a thin metallic layer disposed on the interior surface of the ceramic core to provide integrity to the ceramic core, eliminate bonding between the ceramic core and the patient's tooth or teeth, and provide an impervious layer on the ceramic interior to reduce infiltration of fluids into the ceramic and reduce cracking of the ceramic restoration. The metallic layer may comprise a metal, alloy or metal-matrix ceramic material. A strong, crack-resistant ceramic restoration is provided having highly aesthetic properties.

Abstract: Dental restorations are fabricated using metal powder. Preferably, the metal powder is a high fusing metal and preferably, the metal powder comprises a non-oxidizing metal. The metal powder is applied to a die and is covered with a covering material such as a refractory die material preferably in the form of a flowable paste. A second covering material may be sprinkled or dusted onto the paste. The model is then dried prior to firing. After drying, the model is sintered to provide a high strength metal restoration. After sintering, the outer shell can be broken off easily with one's hand to expose the sintered coping.

Abstract: Process for the manufacture of dental restorations using high strength ceramic components. A wax pattern is built around a high strength ceramic component on a die. The wax pattern with the high strength ceramic component is surrounded with investment material. The wax is burned out, leaving a mold with the high strength ceramic component. The mold is filled with a ceramic material, covering the high strength ceramic component, creating a dental restoration.

Abstract: A dental post comprising a rod fabricated of fiber-reinforced composite material. The rod comprises a plurality of frustoconical sections arranged coaxially along the longitudinal axis of the rod. Preferably the rod has consistent width along the longitudinal axis wherein the frustoconical sections each have the same tapered width and same length. The number of frustoconical units per rod can vary. The frustoconical sections may vary in shape. Moreover, the rod may include a channel therein extending along the longitudinal axis thereof. The rod may also include one or more grooves extending along the surface thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates preparation of superior quality vermicompost from the distillation wastes of aromatic crops said method comprises drying of distillation waste for 24 to 72 hours, obtained after the distillation of herbage for 2-3 h. at 20-25lbs of steam pressure, chopping the waste into small pieces, transferring this material into compost pits containing about 7-10 cm layer of partially rotten cowdung and 400-450 earthworms (Perionyx excavatus)/m3, daily watering of the pits to keep the plant material moist and covering them with gunny bags to check the loss of humidity, reloading the pits (20-30 cm layer) with the chopped distilled waste after 30-35 days, restricting watering after complete degradation of the added material, harvesting of the dried material and shade drying the same for 4-5 days, and sieving the harvested compost to remove earthworms.

Abstract: The present invention relates preparation of superior quality vermicompost from the distillation wastes of aromatic crops said method comprises drying of distillation waste for 24 to 72 hours, obtained after the distillation of herbage for 2-3 h. at 20-25lbs of steam pressure, chopping the waste into small pieces, transferring this material into compost pits containing about 7-10 cm layer of partially rotten cowdung and 400-450 earthworms (Perionyx excavatus)/m3, daily watering of the pits to keep the plant material moist and covering them with gunny bags to check the loss of humidity, reloading the pits (20-30 cm layer) with the chopped distilled waste after 30-35 days, restricting watering after complete degradation of the added material, harvesting of the dried material and shade drying the same for 4-5 days, and sieving the harvested compost to remove earthworms.

Abstract: The dental alloys herein are formulated from a combination of palladium, silver and platinum and a small amount of one or more of indium, gallium, tin, germanium, zinc and manganese. The alloys may also contain one or more of gold, iridium, ruthenium, rhodium, rhenium, titanium, aluminum, silicon, hafnium, boron, and/or calcium. The alloys are particularly useful as substrate components for dental restorative materials including, but not limited to, orthodontic appliances, bridges, space maintainers, tooth replacement appliances, splints, crowns, partial crowns, dentures, posts, teeth, jackets, inlays, onlays, facing, veneers, facets, implants, abutments, cylinders, and connectors. The substrate may be defined as a main component of the dental restoration having one or more layers of material thereon, or as the complete restoration with no other material thereon.

Abstract: A dental post comprising a rod fabricated of fiber-reinforced composite material. The rod comprises a plurality of frustoconical sections arranged coaxially along the longitudinal axis of the rod. Preferably the rod has consistent width along the longitudinal axis wherein the frustoconical sections each have the same tapered width and same length. The number of frustoconical units per rod can vary. The frustoconical sections may vary in shape. Moreover, the rod may include a channel therein extending along the longitudinal axis thereof. The rod may also include one or more grooves extending along the surface thereof.

Abstract: Dental restorations are fabricated using metal powder. Preferably, the metal powder is a high fusing metal and preferably, the metal powder comprises a non-oxidizing metal. The metal powder is applied to a die and is covered with a covering material such as a refractory die material preferably in the form of a flowable paste. A second covering material may be sprinkled or dusted onto the paste. The model is then dried prior to firing. After drying, the model is sintered to provide a high strength metal restoration. After sintering, the outer shell can be broken off easily with one's hand to expose the sintered coping.

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 or a particulate-filled composite material comprising fibers or particulate filler 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: High strength ceramic components for use in dental applications are provided with a bonding layer disposed thereon to increase the bonding properties of the ceramic component in order that the ceramic component may better bond to a resin material, ceramic material or composite material. Moreover, the bonding layer provides strength to the ceramic component by forming a compressive layer thereon. The ceramic component may be partially or fully embedded in composite material. The ceramic component is bonded to the composite material either by mechanical means, chemical means or both. The material may be placed directly on the ceramic component. Alternatively, the structural component is coated with a bonding layer to provide adhesion between the composite or like material and the structural component.

Abstract: A dental restoration comprising a fiber reinforced composite framework and one or more of a randomly dispersed, fiber-filled veneer, a soft particulate filled composite veneer having a strain to failure greater than that of FRC framework and/or a brittle particulate filled composite veneer having a strain to failure value less than that of the FRC framework. The fiber filled veneer is advantageously placed beneath the framework, the soft veneer is advantageously pled where tensile stresses are expected to occur, while the brittle particulate filled veneer is placed where compressive stresses are expected to occur.

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 for processing a glass fiber material, wherein the glass fiber material 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.

Abstract: Chromium-cobalt alloys useful for use with high-expansion porcelains in the fabrication of prosthetic dental appliances. The alloys herein comprise cobalt, chromium and manganese as essential components; and include one or more of aluminum, indium, gallium, tin, and germanium; and may include one or more of iron, nickel, palladium and platinum. Optional components include gold, tantalum, niobium, molybdenum, tungsten, vanadium, iridium, ruthenium, rhenium, titanium, silicon, copper, zirconium, hafnium, boron, yttrium, and rare earths metals. The alloys herein are useful with high-expansion dental ceramics and porcelains.