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: 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 composite restorations reinforced with one or more fiber structures are disclosed. The fiber structures can have a wide array of shapes and sizes, including rods with circular cross sections, rods with “U” shaped cross sections, rods with “I” shaped cross sections, and fiber mesh structures. The reinforced dental composite restorations are created by incrementally layering and curing composite materials onto the fiber structures. The resulting restorations have significantly improved flexural strength as compared to conventionally prepared composite restoration materials.

Abstract: To provide a base material for a prosthesis having abrasion resistance and aesthetic appreciation more than equivalent to those of a conventional artificial tooth and to make a bridge and an artificial tooth for a partial denture easily in a short time without cutting adjacent teeth, the base material is made of a resin material, and comprises only a part having a form approximating to a lingual side surface part of the teeth being at the oral cavity side from a mucous of a dental cervix, two to four teeth may be connected, a thickness of the lingual side surface part is 0.5 mm or more from the lingual side surface and less than 0.5 mm from a labial surface of a teeth form being made finally, a surface contacting with a mucous surface of the dental cervix is formed and an engaging part connecting with a resin material built on a labial side surface is formed.

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: Dental composite restorations reinforced with one or more fiber structures are disclosed. The fiber structures can have a wide array of shapes and sizes, including rods with circular cross sections, rods with “U” shaped cross sections, rods with “I” shaped cross sections, and fiber mesh structures. The reinforced dental composite restorations are created by incrementally layering and curing composite materials onto the fiber structures. The resulting restorations have significantly improved flexural strength as compared to conventionally prepared composite restoration materials.

Abstract: A dental article is formed by a polymer material obtained by the polymerization of at least a cycloolefin. A process for the surface modification of a dental article formed by a polymer material obtained by the polymerization of at least a cycloolefin, comprises applying a graft polymerization initiator over the surface of the dental article, supplying a reactive monomer onto the coated surface of the article, and then subjecting the coat to graft photopolymerization.

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 cast into steel molds in the shape of cylindrical blanks (pellets), or alternately, cooled to the crystallization temperature. The resulting glass blank are heat-treated to form glass-ceramic blanks 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 18.5×10−6/° C. in the temperature range of 250°-600° C.

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 preparation (10, 11,12,13) to be fixed to a natural tooth part or tooth, in particular for the replacement of a load-bearing tooth part, is for example a filling for a drilled-out tooth (1), a crown, bridge or prosthesis to be placed on a tooth stub, or a tooth pin to be fixed in a tooth root for fastening an artificial tooth, a bridge or a prosthesis. The preparation has surface regions which consist of a material with thermoplastic properties. The preparation (10, 11, 12,13) is designed in a manner such that it has oscillation properties with such low damping losses that for a liquefaction of the material with thermoplastic properties by way of oscillations there are local stress concentrations required, and in a manner such that such stress concentrations only occur in the region of the preparation surface.

Abstract: A ceramic tape is provided in its green state so that it is malleable and formable to a mold for forming a dental restoration, but will not break or crack as it is applied to the mold. Pressure may be applied to further form or adapt the ceramic tape to the shape of the mold. Heat is applied simultaneously with pressure or in a separate step to achieve high density and strength in the ceramic material. A vacuum atmosphere may be used with the application of pressure and/or heat. One or more layers of surface material such as porcelain or composite resin may be applied to the ceramic to form the dental restoration. The process is useful in the manufacture of dental materials or restorations 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.

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

Abstract: A low-temperature-sintering apatite glass ceramic is described which is characterized by a high chemical stability, a low coefficient of expansion as well as high translucency and which is particularly suitable on its own or together with glasses or other glass ceramics as coating or veneering material for ceramic dental restorations.

Abstract: Ready-to-use preshaped, prefabricated cured components and hybrid 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 comprising fibers 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 The component of claim 1 wherein the dental appliance system is selected from the group consisting of orthodontic retainers, bridges, space maintainers, tooth replacement appliances, splints, crowns, partial crowns, dentures, posts, teeth, jackets, inlays, onlays, facings, veneers, facets, implants, cylinders, abutments, pins and connectors.

Abstract: A dental porcelain composition comprises an amorphous glass phase with a maturing temperature less than about 850° C., wherein the amorphous glass phase, in one embodiment, comprises: Component Amount (wt. %) SiO2 55-75 B2O3 2.6-6   Al2O3   3-4.9 ZnO 0-3 CaO 0-3 MgO 0.5-3   ZrO2 0-3 BaO 0-2 Li2O 0.8-2   K2O   0-6.

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: 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: 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 invention relates to a mixture for use as wound dressing, which comprises:

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: The invention provides a dental porcelain product, comprising a core layer of core material and a repair layer of repair material. The core layer has a higher melting temperature than the repair layer. The core material comprising a portion of crystalline core material and a portion of glass core material. The repair material comprises a portion of crystalline repair material and a portion of glass repair material. The portion of crystalline core material is greater than the portion of the crystalline repair material. The core material and the repair material each are formed from powder materials and each comprising silicon dioxide, aluminum oxide, sodium oxide, potassium oxide, calcium oxide, cerium oxide and boron trioxide. Preferably, the core material comprises a component selected from the group consisting of barium oxide and titanium oxide. Preferably, the repair material comprises a component selected from a group consisting of lithium oxide, magnesium oxide and terbium oxide.

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: This invention relates to novel sol-gel calcium phosphate, in particular hydroxyapatite ceramic coatings and processes of making same at low temperature. Such coatings are useful, inter alia, for dental implants and bone-metal contact appliances. A sol-gel process for preparing a crystallized hydroxyapatite which comprises: (a) hydrolysing a phosphor precursor in a water based medium; (b) adding a calcium salt precursor to the medium after the phosphite has been hydrolysed to obtain a hydroxyapatite gel; and (c) calcining the crystallized hydroxyapatite at a suitable elevated temperature.

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: Systems and methods are disclosed for forming a pontic in a polymeric shell dental appliance, including providing a polymeric shell dental appliance of the type which is removably placeable over a patient's dentition, said shell having a concave trough which conforms to the teeth when the appliance is placed over the dentition and a location in the trough corresponding to a missing tooth; and depositing a flexible, durably affixed material in the location to form the pontic.

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: Dental composites containing hybrid fillers and process for their production. Dental compounds are disclosed which contain two- or multi-phase inorganic fillers in an organic polymer matrix. These are characterized by improved abrasion resistance.

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: The present invention provides non-metallic compositions that are useful to repair, restore, adhere to, or protect, the surface of a tooth and that harden in the moutn to form substantially permanent features therein or to adhere fixtures to the surface of a tooth in a substantially permanent manner. The compositions comprise an amount of an essential oil effective to alter the sensory properties, i.e. the taste, a smell, of the composition and that desirably imparts a pleasant taste and/or order. The essential oil further advantageously provides the composition, once hardened in the mouth, with a surface more hydrophobic than a corresponding conventional composition, thereby inhibiting the deposition or formation of bacterial plaque. Also provided are a method of using the compositions to repair or seal hard dental tissue, as well as a method to adhere one or more dental or orthodontic fixtures to hard dental tissue.

Abstract: The invention provides an implantable device coated with a layer of calcium phosphate and optionally one or more biologically active substances such as growth factors, lipis, (lipo)polysaccharides, hormones, proteins, antibiotics or cytostatics. The device can be obtained by a nanotechnology process comprising subjecting a substrate to a surface treatment until a surface roughness with an average peak distance (Ra value) between 10 and 1,000 nm and subjecting the roughened surface to precipitation of calcium phosphate from a solution containing calcium and phosphate ions with optional coprepitation of the biologically active substance.

Abstract: The present invention provides non-metallic compositions that are useful to repair, restore, adhere to, or protect, the surface of a tooth and that harden in the mouth to form substantially permanent features therein or to adhere fixtures to the surface of a tooth in a substantially permanent manner. The compositions comprise an amount of an essential oil effective to alter the sensory properties, i.e. the taste, a smell, of the composition and that desirably imparts a pleasant taste and/or order. The essential oil further advantageously provides the composition, once hardened in the mouth, with a surface more hydrophobic than a corresponding conventional composition, thereby inhibiting the deposition or formation of bacterial plaque. Also provided are a method of using the compositions to repair or seal hard dental tissue, as well as a method to adhere one or more dental or orthodontic fixtures to hard dental tissue.

Abstract: A ceramic restoration based on a leucitic glass-ceramic, which is characterized in that the glass-ceramic includes by way of components 40-95 wt.-% SiO2 5-25 wt.-% Al2O3 5-25 wt.-% K2O 0-25 wt.-% Na2O 0-20 wt.-% CaO 0-8 wt.-% B2O3 0-0.5 wt.-% P2O5 0-3 wt.-% F, in that it contains, as sole crystalline phase, leucite in a total proportion from 20 to 45 wt.-%, at least 80% of the theoretically producible quantity of leucite being present, and in that it exhibits a linear coefficient of thermal expansion &agr;(20-500° C.) from 12.5·10−6 to 15.5·10−6 K−1. This glass-ceramic is particularly suitable for processing as pressed ceramic and can be advantageously faced with dental ceramic that exhibits a linear coefficient of thermal expansion &agr;(20-500° C.) from 13.5·10−6 to 17.0·10−6 K−1.

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: A method of restoring a tooth is provided, method comprises the steps of dispensing a curable composition from an applicator and curing the curable composition. The applicator has a needle with a lumen. The composition is injected into a hollow on the tooth to achieve a desired shape. The composition includes curable liquid resin portion and an inorganic filler portion. The curable liquid resin portion has a polymerizable binder resin.

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: 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: A filler material comprising a fibrous material and one or more forms of surface-modifying particles for use in dental composites and dental restorations. The surface-modifying particles are bonded to the fibrous material to increase the surface area of the fibrous material and improve the bonding properties of the fibrous material to enable it to better bond to a resin matrix material in a dental composite. In accordance with the present invention, the fibrous material possesses a lower melting temperature than the surface-modifying particles. The surface-modifying particles and the fibrous material are heated to a temperature below the softening temperature of the fibrous material but at a temperature and time sufficient to soften the surface of the fibrous material in order to bond the surface-modifying particles thereto.

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: 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: A dental composition useful for an artificial tooth and an artificial tooth with use of the said dental composition by which color stability, coloring resistance and aesthetic merit can be maintained for a long period of time and which have superior characteristics such as bending strength, impact strength, hardness and wear resistance The dental composition comprises (A) at least one monomer and/or oligomer selected from methacrylates and acrylates, (B) an uncrosslinked polymer selected from the group consisting of homopolymers of methacrylates, acrylates and styrene; copolymer of at least two monomers selected from methacrylates, acrylates and styrene; mixture of the homopolymers, mixture of the copolymers; and mixture of the homopolymer(s) and the copolymer(s), (C) a crosslinked polymer selected from the group consisting of homopolymers of methacrylates, acrylates and styrene; copolymer of at least two monomers selected from methacrylates, acrylates and styrene; mixture of the homopolymers; mixture of the