Abstract: Aerogel, calcined articles, and crystalline articles comprising ZrO2. Exemplary uses of the crystalline metal oxide articles include dental articles (e.g., restoratives, replacements, inlays, onlays, veneers, full and partial crowns, bridges, implants, implant abutments, copings, anterior fillings, posterior fillings, and cavity liner, and bridge frameworks) and orthodontic appliances (e.g., brackets, buccal tubes, cleats, and buttons).

Abstract: Aerogel, calcined articles, and crystalline articles comprising ZrO2. Exemplary uses of the crystalline metal oxide articles include dental articles (e.g., restoratives, replacements, inlays, onlays, veneers, full and partial crowns, bridges, implants, implant abutments, copings, anterior fillings, posterior fillings, and cavity liner, and bridge frameworks) and orthodontic appliances (e.g., brackets, buccal tubes, cleats, and buttons).

Abstract: The invention includes a support frame for producing a dental workpiece. The frame has a Z axis and comprising wall sections defining a hole that extends along the Z axis through the frame. At least one of the wall sections comprises an adhesive-directing surface extending along the Z axis in a non-parallel relationship. Such a configuration provides optimized methods for affixing a blank to the support frame and optimized properties of the blank after fixation to the support frame.

Abstract: A system and method for making a layered dental appliance. The system can include a first portion comprising a negative of a first layer of a layered dental appliance, and a second portion comprising a positive shape of a second layer of the layered dental appliance. The method can include providing a mold comprising a negative of an outer shape of a layered dental appliance, and positioning a slurry in the mold, forming a first layer of the layered dental appliance. The method can further include providing a solid structure comprising a positive shape of a second layer of the layered dental appliance, and pressing the solid structure into the slurry in the mold.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for producing a dental appliance, the process comprising the steps of a) providing a mixture of a liquid, an inorganic binder precursor being able to undergo a sol/gel reaction and a glass or glass ceramic powder, b) casting the mixture into a mold, c) drying the cast mixture in the mold to obtain a machinable dental appliance, d) optionally machining the dental appliance to obtain a dental workpiece, e) optionally removing the dental appliance or dental workpiece from the mold, f) optionally sintering the dental appliance or dental workpiece and to a dental appliance obtainable by such a process.

Abstract: A system and method for making a layered dental appliance. The system can include a first mold comprising a negative of a first layer of a layered dental appliance, a second mold comprising a negative of a second layer, and a dental core dimensioned to be at least partially received in the first mold and the second mold. The method can include positioning a first slurry in the first mold, and pressing the dental core into the first slurry to form a first article comprising the dental core and a first layer formed from the first slurry. The method can further include removing the first article from the first mold, positioning a second slurry in the second mold, and pressing the first article into the second slurry to form a second article comprising the dental core, the first layer, and a second layer formed from the second slurry.

Abstract: A system and method for making a layered dental appliance. The system can include a mold comprising a negative of an outer shape of a layered dental appliance, and a dental core dimensioned to be at least partially received in the mold. The method can include positioning a first slurry in the mold, and pressing the dental core into the first slurry in the mold to form a first article comprising the dental core and a first layer formed from the first slurry. The method can further include removing the first article from the mold, and firing the first article. The method can further include positioning a second slurry in the mold, and pressing the first article into the second slurry in the mold to form a second article comprising the dental core, the first layer, and a second layer formed from the second slurry.

Abstract: A nozzle head (5) for a powder jet device (1), for use in applying dental material, comprises a first fluid flow path (8) for delivering a powder/fluid mixture to a first discharge nozzle (8A). A second fluid flow path (6) is provided for delivering a liquid to a second discharge nozzle (6A) located adjacent the first discharge nozzle (8A), so that the materials discharged by the first and second discharge nozzles combine at a desired location to form a dental composition. A nozzle-clearing member (10) is located inside the nozzle head and is movable to remove powder material from the first discharge nozzle when the flow of powder/fluid mixture to the nozzle ceases.

Abstract: A method of making a dental blank comprises the steps of independently compacting a first and second zone of a quantity of ceramic particles. During compacting, the first and second zones have different compaction factors in at least one stage. Such blanks may be pre-sintered and used in the manufacture of dental restorations. The method may help in controlling the homogeneity of the material structure during manufacturing the blanks.

Abstract: A translucent zirconia sintered body, a dental article comprising a shaped, translucent zirconia body, a zirconia green body, and methods of making a translucent zirconia sintered body, methods of making a dental article comprising a shaped, translucent zirconia body, and methods of making a zirconia green body are described.

Abstract: A system and method for making a layered dental appliance. The system can include a mold comprising a negative of an outer shape of a layered dental appliance, and a dental core dimensioned to be at least partially received in the mold. The method can include positioning a first slurry in the mold, and pressing the dental core into the first slurry in the mold to form a first article comprising the dental core and a first layer formed from the first slurry. The method can further include removing the first article from the mold, and firing the first article. The method can further include positioning a second slurry in the mold, and pressing the first article into the second slurry in the mold to form a second article comprising the dental core, the first layer, and a second layer formed from the second slurry.

Abstract: A system and method for making a layered dental appliance. The system can include a first mold comprising a negative of a first layer of a layered dental appliance, a second mold comprising a negative of a second layer, and a dental core dimensioned to be at least partially received in the first mold and the second mold. The method can include positioning a first slurry in the first mold, and pressing the dental core into the first slurry to form a first article comprising the dental core and a first layer formed from the first slurry. The method can further include removing the first article from the first mold, positioning a second slurry in the second mold, and pressing the first article into the second slurry to form a second article comprising the dental core, the first layer, and a second layer formed from the second slurry.

Abstract: A system and method for making a layered dental appliance. The system can include a first portion comprising a negative of a first layer of a layered dental appliance, and a second portion comprising a positive shape of a second layer of the layered dental appliance. The method can include providing a mold comprising a negative of an outer shape of a layered dental appliance, and positioning a slurry in the mold, forming a first layer of the layered dental appliance. The method can further include providing a solid structure comprising a positive shape of a second layer of the layered dental appliance, and pressing the solid structure into the slurry in the mold.

Abstract: A translucent zirconia sintered body, a dental article comprising a shaped, translucent zirconia body, a zirconia green body, and methods of making a translucent zirconia sintered body, methods of making a dental article comprising a shaped, translucent zirconia body, and methods of making a zirconia green body are described.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for producing a dental appliance, the process comprising the steps of a) providing a mixture of a liquid, an inorganic binder precursor being able to undergo a sol/gel reaction and a glass or glass ceramic powder, b) casting the mixture into a mould, c) drying the cast mixture in the mould to obtain a machinable dental appliance, d) optionally machining the dental appliance to obtain a dental workpiece, e) optionally removing the dental appliance or dental workpiece from the mould, f) optionally sintering the dental appliance or dental workpiece and to a dental appliance obtainable by such a process.

Abstract: A nozzle head (5) for a powder jet device (1), for use in applying dental material, comprises a first fluid flow path (8) for delivering a powder/fluid mixture to a first discharge nozzle (8A). A second fluid flow path (6) is provided for delivering a liquid to a second discharge nozzle (6A) located adjacent the first discharge nozzle (8A), so that the materials discharged by the first and second discharge nozzles combine at a desired location to form a dental composition. A nozzle-clearing member (10) is located inside the nozzle head and is movable to remove powder material from the first discharge nozzle when the flow of powder/fluid mixture to the nozzle ceases.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of making a dental blank which combines uniaxial pressing isostatic pressing techniques. The invention also includes a press for performing the method and a system comprising a uniaxial and a isostatic press. The invention may help in efficient manufacturing of dental blanks at minimized costs and maximized quality.