Abstract: The present invention is directed to an apparatus, system and method for detecting a user's oral health habits and providing the oral health data over a network for access by a remote user. For example, the user may utilize an oral health apparatus to brush his teeth. During brushing, oral health data may be obtained relating to the user's oral health habits and usage of the oral health apparatus. The oral health data may then be provided over a network to a remote user, such as the user's dental health professional or parent in the case of a young child.

Abstract: The invention relates to blanks comprising zirconium oxide-based ceramic with an addition of 0.1 to 0.50 wt.-% of at least one of the oxides of the elements aluminium, gallium, germanium, indium and their use.

Abstract: A pressable glass ceramic which contains lithium silicate glass and leucite is disclosed. Also, disclosed is the combination of leucite and a lithium silicate glass to stably increase the coefficients of thermal expansion of the resulting glass composition, and the preparation of leucite suitable for addition to the glass composition. Also disclosed are methods for fabricating glass ceramic and dental products from the pressable glass ceramic.

Abstract: There are disclosed amphoteric nano-sized metal oxide particles functionalized with silyl esters of a phosphonate and composites thereof with an acrylate-based monomer, including liquid crystal monomers photopolymerizable at ambient temperature. Also disclosed are the method making such functionalized particular by reacting a metal oxide with a silyl ester of a phosphonate in the presence of a non-aqueous solvent and in an inert atmosphere and the method of making the composites wherein the functionalized particles are admixed with an acrylate-based matrix monomer, including liquid crystal monomers photopolymerizable at ambient temperature. Further disclosed is the method of dental repair wherein the composites are applied to a tooth and photopolymerized.

Abstract: A dental prosthesis blank and a combined dental prosthesis blank and blank holder. The dental prosthesis blank provides for forming a dental prosthesis therefrom and the blank holder holds the blank during the forming of the prosthesis. The blank comprises a first free end for forming the dental prosthesis therefrom and a positioning end for positioning the blank in the blank holder. The positioning end includes a cylindrical cone, i.e. extension, having a pair of reference surfaces defined by a slot extending along the axis of the cylindrical extension. The blank holder includes a reference element such as a bar that fits within the space between the reference surfaces.

Abstract: A porcelain composition for dental restorations comprising a leucite crystallite phase and a glass matrix phase, wherein the leucite crystallites possess diameters not exceeding about 10 micron. Preferably, the porcelain composition has a maturing temperature from about 750° to about 1050° C. and a coefficient of thermal expansion from about 12×10−6/° C. to about 17.5×10−6/° C., and comprises: Component Amount (wt. %) SiO2 57-66 Al2O3  7-15 K2O  7-15 Na2O  7-12 Li2O 0.5-3.

Abstract: A dental composite material that comprises a polymerizable resin composition; a filler system comprising polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane fillers; and a curing system. The dental composite material is useful for a variety of dental materials, treatments, and restorative functions including crown and bridge materials, fillings, adhesives, sealants, luting agents or cements, denture base materials, orthodontic materials and sealants, and other dental restorative materials.

Abstract: Shaping cap made of ceramic, metal or plastic material, which is suitable as a solid constituent of dental pin structures.

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with a process for the formation of dental restorations from glass-ceramic materials and the resulting dental restorations. A dental restoration is formed by pressing a lithium discilicate glass ceramic where the concentration of lithium discilicate crystals in the glass ceramic composition is at least 30% by weight. Crystal formation is effected with P2O5. The glass ceramic material may further contain coloring oxides, fluoresing agents, pigments, opacifiers and glass modifiers. The resulting dental restorations have superior optical, esthetic and strength properties.

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: Model tooth for purposes of orientation in dental technical procedures, in which the natural, ordinary layering of neck material, dentin, and enamel is realized using three highly contrasting, translucent materials of different colors that can be distinguished from one another, in a ratio of 1:1.

Abstract: A dental mill blank comprising a resin and a filler, wherein the blank is fabricated such that it passes a Thermal Shock Test. The mill blank is substantially free of cracks and discontinuities. Further, the blank may have superior cuttability and hardness.

Abstract: An artificial tooth or teeth and occlusion-controlling system(s) thereof, wherein information about the situation of occlusion in the mouth of a patient is transmitted to a computer (151) from a biting-pressure sensing element(s) (155) or film(s) incorporated in the present invention, and said computer (151) dictates control-signals to make a driving motor (152) or motors drive and adjust an occlusal surface of said patient in place so as to give a desirable, appropriate functional occlusion to said patient's comfort instantly.

Abstract: An assortment of manufactured teeth are disclosed which are fabricated according to their function and color. The outer dimensions of the teeth, especially in the marginal area, are larger than those of a prepared tooth. The teeth are preferably made of plastic, ceramic or hybrid materials. Adjacent teeth can be interconnected in the manner of a bridge. A method for preparing manufactured teeth is also disclosed in which the fabricated tooth is clamped in a device which virtually correlates the same to the situation of the prepared tooth. The inner fit to the prepared teeth is produced by milling out the lumen. The outer fit is produced by milling down until the preparation limit is reached. A clearance fit with a marginal range of less than 100 &mgr;m is preferably provided. A clearance fit with a marginal range of less than 200 &mgr;m is preferably provided in the inner area.

Abstract: The present invention provides a dental composite which has the high strength required for load-bearing restorations, yet maintains a glossy appearance, even after substantial wear. Through the use of particles having a mean particle size between about 0.05 &mgr;m and about 0.50 &mgr;m, the composite is useful in stress bearing restorations and in cosmetic restorations. The structural filler used is typically ground to a mean particle size of less than 0.5 &mgr;m and also includes a nanofiller having discrete particles of a mean particle size less than 100 nm to improve handling and mechanical characteristics. The preferred dental composites maintain their surface finish even after substantial use and also have the strength properties of hybrid composite resins.

Abstract: Among other things, a dental embedding material is proposed, containing: 10-30 wt.-% polyethylene glycol dimethacrylate 40-55 wt.-% polymethyl methacrylate 5-15 wt.-% highly disperse silicon dioxide <1 wt.-% photoinitiators, stabilizers, 10-30 wt.-% of at least one compound from the group: urethane dimethacrylate, bis-GMA, ethoxylated bis-GMA.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for recovering dental pulp from dentition of a donor are disclosed, wherein the pulp from within extracted teeth utilizing such methods and apparatus is harvested, while preserving a sterile environment and avoiding trauma and infection, and stem cells, dendritic cells, and other cells isolating from the pulp, and the various cells propagated and expanded for subsequent use in repair or regeneration of tissues of the body, for therapeutic treatments, and other medical purposes.

Abstract: A dental construct according to the present invention includes a glass-ceramic coping having a resin composite material in the form of a veneer bonded or otherwise affixed to at least a portion of the coping. A method according to the invention of preparing the dental construct includes the step of bonding or otherwise affixing a resin composite material in the form of a veneer to at least a portion of a glass-ceramic substrate coping.

Abstract: An artificial tooth is provided that includes a cutting mass brought into hardened condition by light polymerization, a tooth bone mass brought into hardened condition by light polymerization, and a base mass. Those masses bordering one another are intensively interconnected with one another. The process for producing an artificial tooth includes subjecting the cutting mass disposed in a mold to light polymerization, subsequently disposing the tooth bone mass on the first mass while the cutting mass is still disposed in the mold, and subjecting the tooth bone mass to light polymerization with light passed through the mold and the cutting mass disposed in the mold.

Abstract: A process for producing an artificial tooth comprising: injection molding polymerizable material into a mold to form an outer external polymeric layer. Then injection molding polymerizable material into the mold to form an inner polymeric layer applied on the first external layer. Then injection molding polymerizable material into the mold to form a solid core applied on the inner external layer.

Abstract: A blank for producing a formed dental part has closely toleranced reference faces being arranged at one end of a blank member lying opposite a retainer projection. The reference faces comprise two surfaces lying opposite one another that have a defined spacing from one another with close tolerances. The surfaces are advantageously formed by a reference part with a cylindrical cross section that is secured onto the blank member.

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with a process for the formation of dental restorations from glass-ceramic materials and the resulting dental restorations. A dental restoration is prepared by placing a glass-ceramic material in a heat-pressure deformable crucible. Heat is applied to the crucible to bring the glass-ceramic to a working range at temperatures above its liquidus temperature. The crucible has heat-pressure deformation properties which are matched to the working temperature of the glass-ceramic. Once the glass-ceramic is heated to its working temperature, the crucible is brought into contract with a mold having a cavity therein. As the distance between the heated crucible and the mold is decreased, the crucible is deformed to form a seal with the mold facilitating the injection of the molten glass-ceramic into the cavity. The resulting dental restoration has superior optical, esthetic and strength properties.

Abstract: This invention is directed to lithium disilicate (Li2Si2O5) based glass-ceramics comprising silica, lithium oxide, alumina, potassium oxide and phosphorus pentoxide. The glass-ceramics are useful in the fabrication of single and multi-unit dental restorations (e.g. anterior bridges) made by heat pressing into refractory investment molds produced using lost wax techniques. The glass-ceramics have good pressability, i.e., the ability to be formed into dental articles by heat-pressing using commercially available equipment. In accordance with one embodiment directed to the process of making the glass-ceramics, the compositions herein are melted at about 1200° to about 1600° C., thereafter quenched (e.g., water quenched or roller quenched) or cast into steel molds, or alternately, cooled to the crystallization temperature. The resulting glass is heat-treated to form a glass-ceramic via a one or two step heat-treatment cycle preferably in the temperature range of about 400° to about 1100° C.

Abstract: Opaque porcelains for use with metal cores in the manufacture of PFM restorations. The porcelains exhibit a coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) substantially equal to or slightly above the CTE of the metal to which it is applied. The porcelains exhibit a CTE equal to or up to about 1.5×10−6/° C. higher than the dental alloys to which they are applied as the opaque. The porcelains are fabricated from a mixture of two frit compositions. A high expansion, leucite containing frit is combined with a low melting glass frit to provide a porcelain having an expansion in the range of 16.9 to about 18×10−6/° C. in the temperature range of 25°-500° C.

Abstract: Among other things, a photopolymerizing one-component dental material is prepared, containing: 1) 80-10 weight-% of at least one polyfunctional urethane methacrylate and/or at least one polyfunctional urethane acrylate, 2) 10-30 weight-% of at least one polyfunctional acrylate resin, 3) 10-30 weight-% of at least one reactive thinner, 4) 0-20 weight-% of bis-GMA and/or at least one ethoxylated bisphenol-A-dimethacrylate, 5) 0-10 weight-% of at least one filler, 6) 0-1 weight-% of at least one photoinitiator, and. 7) 0-1 weight-% of at least one color pigment.

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: Dental composition, product and process using a silicon containing abrasion resistant material. The dental products formed are abrasion resistant and self-lubricating across their entire cross sections. Dental compositions useful for forming dental products in accordance with the invention preferably includes an ethylenically unsaturated silane. The composition is formed into a dental prosthesis, such as an artificial tooth, inlay, onlay, facing, crown or bridge.

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with a process for the formation of dental restorations from glass-ceramic materials and the resulting dental restorations. In this invention, a dental restoration is prepared by placing a glass-ceramic material in a heat-pressure deformable crucible. Heat is then applied to the crucible in order to bring the glass-ceramic material to a working range at temperatures above its liquidus temperature. The crucible in which the glass-ceramic material is placed has heat-pressure deformation properties which are matched to the working temperature of the glass-ceramic materials being heated. The heat deformation properties of the crucible must be such that when the glass-ceramic material in the crucible is in the working range the crucible is heat-pressure deformable without rupturing.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring a contoured surface, particularly the outer surface of a tooth to receive an artificial crown, by means of a probe having at least one light source, preferably three light sources at different known locations with respect to the probe contact surface; and a light sensor device at a known location with respect to the contoured surface to be mapped. The probe is moved over the contoured surface through a plurality of positions, with the probe contact surface in contact with the contoured surface at each of the positions; and the location in space of each of the light sources is measured at each of these positions. The measured locations of the light sources are used for computing the location of the probe contact surface with respect to the known location of the light sensor device.

Abstract: The invention relates to dental materials which contain filler and a polymerizable matrix and are characterized in that they additionally have a component which contracts during thermal treatment.

Abstract: Dental material containing a polymerizable component and a component applied superficially to the polymerizable component, which can be removed after the curing of the polymerizable material with accompanying formation of a rough surface.

Abstract: A prosthodontic assembly comprises a restoration having a cavity defined by a first surface and an abutment positioned within the cavity. The assembly further comprises a plurality of standoffs positioned in between the first surface and the abutment to provide a gap. Methods for forming the restoration are also disclosed.

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 sinterable lithium disilicate glass ceramics are described which can be further processed in particular by pressing in the viscous state to shaped dental products.

Abstract: Alkali silicate glasses are described which, in view of their good chemical stability and their optical properties and processing properties, are particularly suitable as a coating or veneering material for ceramic dental frameworks and hence for the production of all-ceramic dental restorations such as crowns or bridges.

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with a process for the formation of dental restorations from glass-ceramic materials and the resulting dental restorations. A dental restoration is prepared by placing a glass-ceramic material in a heat-pressure deformable crucible. Heat is applied to the crucible to bring the glass-ceramic to a working range at temperatures above its liquidus temperature. The crucible has heat-pressure deformation properties which are matched to the working temperature of the glass-ceramic. Once the glass-ceramic is heated to its working temperature, the crucible is brought into contract with a mold having a cavity therein. As the distance between the heated crucible and the mold is decreased, the crucible is deformed to form a seal with the mold facilitating the injection of the molten glass-ceramic into the cavity. The resulting dental restoration has superior optical, esthetic and strength properties.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for producing artificial teeth (1) imitating natural teeth, each tooth comprising a crown (4) and a radicular element (5) comprising one, two or three roots (3), each of said roots comprising at least one radicular canal (7), said process comprising the steps consisting in: providing a crown (4) by injection into a mould of a plastics having high mechanical strength and hardness properties, providing the radicular element (5) as at least two radicular parts (5A, 5B; 5C, 5D) having a junction surface including at least a slot for providing a radicular canal (7), assembling and joining together the different radicular parts mutually so as to obtain the radicular element (5) of the tooth, and assembling and joining together the crown (4) with said radicular element (5).

Abstract: An apatite glass ceramic is described which is characterized by good chemical stability, a low expansion coefficient and high translucence, and is particularly suitable, by itself or together with glasses or other glass ceramics, as a veneering material for ceramic dental restorations.

Abstract: Dental composition, product and process using a silicon containing abrasion resistant material. The dental products formed are abrasion resistant and self-lubricating across their entire cross sections. Dental compositions useful for forming dental products in accordance with the invention preferably includes an ethylenically unsaturated silane. The composition is formed into a dental prosthesis, such as an artificial tooth, inlay, onlay, facing, crown or bridge.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of novel glass compositions in preparing dental glass pillars and support pillars, and method for producing the glass pillars. The glass material comprises a high percent of boron trioxide which makes possible a reduced alkali oxide content. The dental glass pillars thus obtained are bio-compatible and can be used in the preparation of dental bridgework, most preferably when posterior teeth serving for support of the said bridgework are missing.

Abstract: Porcelain compositions of the present invention comprises particulate of one or more glass or glass-ceramic powder components. Additionally, one or more opacifing agents, pigments, fluorescing agents and the like may be included in the composition. Based on volume percent, the particulate has a d10 of from about 1.1 and about 1.8 microns; a d50 of from about 3 to about 6 microns; a d90 of from about 8 to about 16 microns; and about 1.0 to about 4.0% by volume of the particulate has a particle size greater than or equal to about 20 microns. The mean particle size is preferably in the range of about 3.0 microns to about 7.5 microns.

Abstract: A prosthetic tooth having an enamel layer which has a zone of substantially constant thickness. This tooth is molded using a dental tooth mold part prepared by imaging a dental pattern of a prosthetic tooth shade layer and/or shader mold part outer surface, and forming the dental pattern in a mold by program directed milling. A family of prosthetic teeth is provided including a first tooth in a first set of teeth having a first overall labial length, and a first back length, and a second tooth in a second set of teeth having a second overall labial length, and a second back length. The invention provides a prosthetic incisor tooth including a tooth body having two generally symmetrical curved grooves between three curved ridges on the labial face of the body at the incisal end of the body. The grooves are deepest at the incisal end and extend substantially from the incisal edge to at least about 15 percent of the overall tooth length.