Abstract: Polymeric resin matrix phase (thermoplastic, thermosetting or biomass) is reinforced with fiber filament or fine particles to enhance the mechanical properties (particularly, bending strength and bending stiffness), impact strength while keeping its original transparency. Plastic brackets (either previously reinforced as mentioned above or un-reinforced) can be surface-treated by plasma coating with thin film or simply ultra violet radiation to enhance the surface mechanical properties as well as anti-frictional force against the archwire's movement while again maintaining its transparency. Accordingly, the present invention can provide orthodontic brackets made of plastics with high mechanical strengths and clearness, so that aesthetic appearance is improved.

Abstract: Cement materials useful in dental and medical fields with improved mechanical properties is described. The cement material includes fluoroaluminosilicate powder and poly(acrylic acid) liquid. Biocompatible oxide powders are further included resulting in improved mechanical properties of maximum strength, rigidity and toughness. Variations of the cement material resulting in improved mechanical properties include the concentration of poly(acrylic acid) liquid, and combining the fluoroaluminosilicate powder with different biocompatible oxide powders. Useful oxide powders include hydroxyapatite powders, titanium oxide, zirconium oxide, aluminum oxide, and silica-containing e-glass powder. Preferably, about 10 vol. % of total amount of oxide powders is used to obtain optimum improvements. The total amount can be based on incorporation of a single or a combination of selected oxide powders.

Abstract: Cement materials useful in dental and medical fields with improved mechanical properties is described. The cement material includes fluoroaluminosilicate powder and poly(acrylic acid) liquid. Biocompatible oxide powders are further included resulting in improved mechanical properties of maximum strength, rigidity and toughness. Variations of the cement material resulting in improved mechanical properties include the concentration of poly(acrylic acid) liquid, and combining the fluoroaluminosilicate powder with different biocompatible oxide powders. Useful oxide powders include hydroxyapatite powders, titanium oxide, zirconium oxide, aluminum oxide, and silica-containing e-glass powder. Preferably, about 10 vol. % of total amount of oxide powders is used to obtain optimum improvements. The total amount can be based on incorporation of a single or a combination of selected oxide powders.

Abstract: A mirror for examining a confined area such as an intraoral cavity including posterior teeth, distal and/or lingual sides of teeth, is provided. The mirror includes a lit fog-free and contaminant-free mirror. Basically, the mirror includes a holding stem component and a mirror component. In the holding stem portion, a battery, motor, and on/off switch and rotation speed controlling device are present. In the mirror portion, a mirror is adhered to a rotatable disk, which rotates inside a circular concave housing and is driven by a shaft which is connected to a shaft in the holding stem component via a connecting mechanism. The circular concave housing has an outer circular surrounding collar which includes a plurality of sub-collars of irregular shapes. When the mirror on the rotatable disk is rotating, air turbulence is generated to spin off any dust, debris, contaminant, and moisture from the mirror surface.

Abstract: Described are unique prosthesis systems including superplastically-formed prosthetic elements, and methods and an apparatus for forming such elements. A preferred dental prosthesis system includes at least two osseointegrated fixtures, abutments attached to the fixtures, a bar member interconnecting the abutments, and a prosthesis detachably connected to the bar member, wherein the prosthesis includes a superplastically-formed metal element having a surface conforming to the bar member and abutments, a resin denture base attached to the metal element, and artificial teeth mounted on the resin denture base. The preferred prosthetic components are prepared by superplastic forming under temperature conditions which are repeatedly cycled above and below the transformation temperature of the metal being formed.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved orthopedic implant system with satisfied biological, mechanical and morphological compatibilities. Solid metal femoral stem and solid metal acetabular head are covered with diffusion-bonded foamed-shaped sheet made of commercially pure titanium or titanium alloy(s). The open-cells in said foamed metal sheet are impregnated with biocompatible polymethyl methacrylate resin cement, which is reinforced with selected oxides including alumina, magnesia, zirconia, or a combination of these oxides along with an application of a small amount of a metal primer agent.

Abstract: One of many universal requirements of dental or orthopedic implants, wherever they are used in the vital body, is that the implant system should be biologically functioning. To achieve the biological functionality, the implant should meet several requirements for compatibility. These include biological compatibility and mechanical compatibility. It has now been recognized that morphological compatibility and crystallographic compatibility should be added to these two compatibility requirements. Hence, the present invention provides a method of forming a certain type of crystalline structure of titanium oxide and controlled surface roughness to meet both morphological and crystallographic compatibilities.

Abstract: Described are unique prosthesis systems including superplastically-formed prosthetic elements, and methods and an apparatus for forming such elements. A preferred dental prosthesis system includes at least two osseointegrated fixtures, abutments attached to the fixtures, a bar member interconnecting the abutments, and a prosthesis detachably connected to the bar member, wherein the prosthesis includes a superplastically-formed metal element having a surface conforming to the bar member and abutments, a resin denture base attached to the metal element, and artificial teeth mounted on the resin denture base. The preferred prosthetic components are prepared by superplastic forming under temperature conditions which are repeatedly cycled above and below the transformation temperature of the metal being formed.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved orthopedic implant system with satisfied biological, mechanical and morphological compatibilities.Solid metal femoral stem (entirely or partially) and solid metal acetabular head (entirely or partially) are covered with diffusion-bonded foamed-shaped sheet made of commercially pure titanium or titanium alloy(s). The open-cells in said foamed metal sheet are impregnated with biocompatible polymethyl methacrylate resin cement, which is reinforced with selected oxides (e.g., alumina, magnesia, zirconia, or a combination of these oxides) along with an application of a small amount of a metal primer agent.

Abstract: An insert for reinforcing a nonmetallic orthodontic appliance is provided including a metal core member having a ceramic outer surface. In one preferred form, a ceramic coated metallic insert having a tooth enamel color is disposed within the archwire slot of a plastic bracket to form an aesthetically pleasing, reinforced plastic orthodontic bracket.

Abstract: A dental examination mirror is provided. The dental examination mirror includes an examination unit having a planar base wall and a side wall projecting upwardly and outwardly from the base wall. The side wall includes an edge remote from the base wall. A mirror wall is sealingly secured to the edge of the side wall and is substantially parallel to the base wall. The surface of the mirror wall facing away from the base wall are reflective to permit observation of regions in an intraoral cavity. At least portions of the mirror wall enable transmission of light. A light source and a heat source are disposed in the examination unit between the base wall and mirror wall. Light from the light source will be transmitted through at least portions of the mirror wall to illuminate at least portions of the intraoral cavity without shining light toward the eyes of the dentist or patient. The heat source in the examination unit prevents fogging of the mirror.

Abstract: The present invention provides a sanitary dental mirror for diagnosing and observing a diseased part of a mouth which can prevent an undesired foggy mirror surface. A dental mirror used for diagnosing and observing a diseased part of a patient's mouth is provided with a stem portion, a distal end portion, a mirror attached on one surface of the distal end portion, and a holding member having a concave-shaped filling canister. The dental mirror furthermore comprises a certain type of substance which is filled in the concave-shaped filling canister and stores heat generated by an absorbing reaction with moisture, a lid which has a plurality of small through-holes and opens/closes an opening portion of the concave-shaped filling canister, and a sealing film which is temporarily adhered on the outer surface of the lid.

Abstract: By using titanium, titanium based alloys, or related metals or alloys, an orthodontic bracket can be manufactured which is lighter and stronger than any conventional type of bracket made of stainless steels, plastics and even ceramics. Ti based brackets have shown excellent corrosion resistance and possess good biocompatibility. Surface treatments including nitriding, diamond coating, pre-oxidation or shot-peening on the slot bottom surface of such brackets reduce the friction coefficient against the orthodontic archwire. Furthermore, the bonding strength may be enhanced by shot-peening, ion beam etching or reactive ion etching on the tooth contact surface of the base portion of the bracket.

Abstract: An improved method for surface treatment of metallic materials is described herein. The improvement exists in that a surface treatment agent and a metallic material to be treated are placed in a treating device, heating of the metallic material to be treated up to a specific upper limit temperature higher than a transformation point of the metallic material and cooling of the metallic material down to a specific lower limit temperature lower than the transformation point are alternately and repeatedly carried out, an appropriate stress is applied to the material when it takes the lower limit temperature, and after an appropriate number of temperature cycles the applied stress is released when the material takes the lower limit temperature.

Abstract: A method for press working of metallic materials is described herein, which method is characterized in that the metallic material is subjected a temperature cycle passing over a transformation point and simultaneously has a light mechanical load applied thereto, so that press forming is carried out while super-plastic phenomena are generated.

Abstract: An improved method for bonding same or different thermoplastic high molecular weight materials is described, in which the respective materials to be bonded are heated until their respective temperatures reach a temperature a little lower than the respective second order transition points, when a pressing force is applied to a butting surface between the materials to be bonded, and after the materials have been in themselves further heated up to a temperature 20.degree. - 50.degree. C higher than the higher second order transition point if the second order transition points of the respective materials are different, the materials are slowly cooled down to a temperature lower than the lower second order transition point.

Abstract: A method for strengthening metallic materials liable to be subjected to internal oxidation, characterized in that said metallic material is strengthened by heating the metallic material liable to be subjected to internal oxidation up to an internal oxidation temperature to cause internal oxidation phenomena to arise, and subjecting said metallic material to a temperature cycle passing over its transformation point to cause superplastic phenomena to arise.

Abstract: A method of working metallic material with roll dies resulting in toughening of the worked material is herein described, which method is characterized in that said metallic material is worked with roll dies while generating super-plastic phenomena by applying a temperature cycle passing over a transformation point to said metallic material.

Abstract: A method for bonding bodies made of metallic materials is described herein, which method is characterized in that said metallic bodies are pressure bonded to each other by making use of super-plastic phenomena which are generated by subjecting the bonding portions of the metallic bodies to be bonded to a heating and cooling temperature cycle under the state where a bonding insert material that can form a reducible atmosphere upon bonding is sandwiched between the bonding surfaces of the metallic bodies to be bonded.

Abstract: By using titanium, titanium based alloys, or related metals or alloys, an orthodontic bracket can be manufactured which is lighter and stronger than any conventional type of bracket made of stainless steels, plastics and even ceramics. Ti based brackets have shown excellent corrosion resistance and possess good biocompatibility. Surface treatments including nitriding, diamond coating, pre-oxidation or shot-peening on the slot bottom surface of such brackets reduce the friction coefficient against the orthodontic archwire. Furthermore, the bonding strength may be enhanced by shot-peening, ion beam etching or reactive ion etching on the tooth contact surface of the base portion of the bracket.