Abstract: The present invention relates to a kit of parts comprising a dental mill blank comprising a porous zirconia material and a colouring solution for colouring the porous zirconia material. The porous zirconia material comprises Zr oxide calculated as ZrO2: from 80 to 97 wt.-%, Al oxide calculated as Al2O3: from 0 to 0.15 wt.-%, Y oxide calculated as Y2O3: from 1 to 10 wt.-%, Bi oxide calculated as Bi2O3: from 0.01 to 0.2 wt.-%, the porous zirconia material not comprising Fe calculated as Fe2O3 in an amount of more than 0.01 wt.-%, wt.-% with respect to the weight of the porous zirconia material. The colouring solution comprises solvent(s), colouring agent(s) comprising metal ions selected from Tb, Er, Pr, Mn or combinations thereof, the solution not comprising Fe ions in an amount of more than 0.01 wt.-%, the solution not comprising Bi ions in an amount of more than 0.01 wt.-%, wt.-% with respect to the weight of the colouring solution.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process of treating parts of the surface of a porous dental ceramic article comprising the steps of: a) providing a composition and a porous dental ceramic article having an outer surface, b) applying the composition to only a part of the outer surface of the porous dental ceramic article, c) optionally drying the porous dental ceramic article, and d) optionally firing the porous dental ceramic article, the composition comprising: a liquid being miscible with water, but not being water, a whitening agent comprising nano-sized metal oxide particles, metal ion containing components or mixtures thereof, a stabilizer (e.g. acid, base, complexing agent or mixture thereof). the porous dental ceramic article showing a N2 adsorption and/or desorption of isotherm type IV according to IUPAC classification. The invention also relates to a dental ceramic article obtainable by a process.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for selectively treating parts of the surface of a porous dental zirconia article, the process comprising the steps of providing a liquid composition and a porous 3-dimensional dental zirconia article having an outer and inner surface, applying the liquid composition to only a part the outer surface and/or inner surface of the porous dental zirconia article, the liquid composition comprising a whitening agent comprising a phosphorous containing component, the phosphorous containing component comprising a phosphate, phosphone or phosphine moiety, with the proviso that at least one P—O unit of the phosphate, phosphone or phosphine moiety is dissociable or able to otherwise interact with zirconia. The invention also relates to a dental zirconia article obtainable or obtained by such a process and a kit of parts comprising a container containing a certain liquid composition.

Abstract: The invention relates to a coloured zirconia ceramic dental mill blank having fluorescing properties, processes of production such a mill blank and uses thereof, in particular for producing zirconia ceramic dental restorations. The dental mill blank having a shape allowing the dental mill blank to be attached or fixed to a machining device, the dental mill blank comprising a porous zirconia material, the porous zirconia material comprising the oxides Zr oxide calculated as Zr02: from about 80 to about 97 wt.-%, Al oxide calculated as Al203: from about 0 to about 0.15 wt.-%, Y oxide calculated as Y203: from about 1 to about 10 wt-%, Bi oxide calculated as Bi203: from about 0.01 to about 0.20 wt-%, Tb oxide calculated as Tb203: from about 0.01 to about 0.8 wt.-%, and optionally one or two of the following oxides: Er oxide calculated as Er203: from about 0.01 to about 3.0 wt.-%, Mn oxide calculated as Mn02: from about 0.0001 to about 0.08 wt.

Abstract: The invention relates to a solution to be selectively applied to individual parts of the surface of dental ceramic(s) and a process for using the solution in the dental field. More specifically the invention relates to a solution comprising a) a solvent, b) an effect agent, and c) a complexing agent. The invention also relates to a kit comprising the solution and to a method of using the solution for selectively treating of parts of the surface dental ceramic(s). The invention also relates to a application instrument suitable for applying the solution.

Abstract: The invention relates to a solution for coloring and imparting fluorescence to a zirconia dental article, the solution comprising: a solvent, a coloring agent comprising ions selected from Tb, Er, Pr, Mn and combinations thereof, a fluorescing agent comprising ions of Bi, the solution not comprising Fe ions in an amount above about 0.05 wt.-% with respect to the weight of the whole solution.

Abstract: A method of making a customized dental blank comprises the steps of providing individual tooth color information, forming an open-celled dental blank precursor, providing the open-celled dental blank precursor with color in accordance with the individual tooth color information, and compressing the dental blank precursor. The method helps maximizing the optical quality of dental restoration at minimized costs.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process of selectively treating parts of the surface of a porous dental ceramic comprising the steps of a) providing a composition and a porous dental ceramic having an outer surface, b) applying the composition to only a part of the outer surface of the porous dental ceramic, c) optionally drying the porous dental ceramic, and d) optionally firing the porous dental ceramic, wherein the composition comprises—a liquid being miscible with water, but not being water, —a whitening agent comprising nano-sized metal oxide particles, metal ion containing components or mixtures thereof which precipitate if the composition is adjusted to a pH above 5, —acid, complexing agent or mixture thereof. The invention also relates to a dental ceramic article obtainable by a process.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process of treating parts of the surface of a porous dental ceramic article comprising the steps of: a) providing a composition and a porous dental ceramic article having an outer surface, b) applying the composition to only a part of the outer surface of the porous dental ceramic article, c) optionally drying the porous dental ceramic article, and d) optionally firing the porous dental ceramic article, the composition comprising: a liquid being miscible with water, but not being water, a whitening agent comprising nano-sized metal oxide particles, metal ion containing components or mixtures thereof, a stabilizer (e.g. acid, base, complexing agent or mixture thereof). the porous dental ceramic article showing a N2 adsorption and/or desorption of isotherm type IV according to IUPAC classification. The invention also relates to a dental ceramic article obtainable by a process.

Abstract: The invention relates to a porous dental milling block comprising at least two geometrically defined Material Sections A and B, Material Section A comprising a tetragonal zirconia crystal phase in an amount A-T in % and a cubic zirconia crystal phase in an amount A-C in %, Material Section B comprising cubic zirconia crystal phase in an amount B-T in % and cubic zirconia crystal phase in an amount B-C in %, wherein (amount of tetragonal phase A-T in %)/(amount of cubic phase content A-C in %)>1 and (amount of tetragonal phase content B-T in %)/(amount of cubic phase content B-C in %)<1. The invention also relates to a process of production of the porous dental milling block and its use for producing a dental article.

Abstract: The invention relates to kit of parts comprising a coloring solution, a porous zirconia article, optionally application equipment, the solution comprising cation(s) of coloring agent(s) in an amount above about 0.05 mol/l, solvent(s) for the ion(s), optionally complexing agent(s), optionally thickening agent(s), optionally organic marker substance(s), optionally additive(s), the porous zirconia article showing a N2 adsorption and desorption of isotherm type IV according to IUPAC classification. The invention also relates to a method for coloring a zirconia article comprising the steps of providing a porous zirconia article and a coloring solution, applying the coloring solution to at least a part of the outer surface of the porous zirconia article, optionally drying the porous zirconia article of the preceding step, sintering the porous zirconia article to obtain a colored zirconia ceramic article.

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 dental milling block (1) comprising a dental article (2) having an outer surface, the dental article having been produced based on personalized data, wherein the outer surface of the dental article is at least partially covered with a surrounding material. The invention further relates to a process of producing a dental milling block, the process comprising the steps of: •a) providing a personalized Data Set C containing geometry data of the dental article and colour data related to said geometry data, •b) generating a layer of hardenable material on a surface, •c) applying a colour agent to the layer of hardenable material of step b), wherein the colour agent is applied to at least some regions of those areas of the layer of hardenable material which are related to the geometry data of the dental article, •d) consolidating the result obtained in step c) thereby obtaining an at least partially hardened layer of material.

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: The invention describes a dental article comprising zirconium oxide and at least two different coloring substances A and B, substance A showing a light emission in the range of about 470 nm to about 510 nm and substance B showing a light absorption in the range from about 520 nm to about 750 nm. The invention also relates to different processes of producing the dental article e.g. by a process comprising a casting step, a pressing step, or an infiltration step and to the use of certain compositions containing either substance A or substance B for producing such a dental article.

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: An electrical switch, in particular a seat adjustment switch, has an activation element (7) and four signal receivers (6), wherein the switch has a total of six switch positions, wherein each of the switch positions is defined by the activation of a combination of two signal receivers.

Abstract: Methods for making a layered dental appliance. Some methods can include providing a solid structure (e.g., a die or a dental core, such as a fully sintered ceramic dental core) having a desired outer shape, and applying a first slurry to the solid structure to form a first free form layer on the solid structure. The method can further include solidifying the first free form layer on the solid structure, and machining the solidified first free form layer to a desired shape to form a first article comprising the solid structure and a first shaped layer. The method can further include applying, solidifying, and machining a second layer in a similar way to form a second article comprising the solid structure, the first shaped layer, and a second shaped layer. In some methods, the free form layers are not exposed to a high temperature prior to being machined.

Abstract: The invention relates to a solution to be selectively applied to individual parts of the surface of dental ceramic(s) and a process for using the solution in the dental field. More specifically the invention relates to a solution comprising a) a solvent, b) an effect agent, and c) a complexing agent. The invention also relates to a kit comprising the solution and to a method of using the solution for selectively treating of parts of the surface dental ceramic(s). The invention also relates to a application instrument suitable for applying the solution.

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.