The present invention relates to a novel multi-layered zirconia dental blank comprising at least two reverse layers. Further, the invention relates to a process for the preparation of such a multi-layered zirconia dental blank. The invention also relates to the use of such a multi-layered zirconia dental blank for the production of a dental article. Preferred dental articles are artificial teeth, inlays, onlays, bridges, crowns, veneers, facings, crown frameworks, bridged frameworks, implants, abutments, copings or orthodontic appliances. Moreover, the invention relates to a process for producing a dental article out of such a multi-layered zirconia dental blank.

A method and system for making a dental restoration are provided. The method comprises the step of providing a computer model of a three-dimensional reference surface that is based for example on a tooth structure of a tooth to be restored in a patient's dentition. The method further comprises the steps of visualizing the three-dimensional reference surface, providing a user operable virtual material deposition tool, and using the virtual material deposition tool to deposit a plurality of differently colored layers on the reference surface. The system provides functionality to perform the method of the invention. The invention preferably helps maximizing optical and geometrical quality in a dental restoration.

A solid freeform fabrication material set includes a first solid freeform fabrication liquid material including a solvent, a resin A soluble in the solvent, and an inorganic particle; and a second solid freeform fabrication liquid material including a resin B soluble in water and a second colorant.

A parameter recommendation module is used to propose a recommendation for dental restoration material parameters. The recommendation takes into consideration final tooth color influencing factors such as underlying tooth stump color and color of restoration fastening material such that at least one output restoration characteristic value needed to achieve a final user-specific tooth color for at least one tooth layer of the restoration is proposed.

Disclosed herein are methods and systems for automatically spraying a glaze solution onto a dental prosthesis. The automated spray glazing system includes: a first spray gun; a controller, and a gripper configured to hold the dental prosthesis and to rotate the dental prosthesis about an axis. The controller is configured to rotate the gripper and spray a glaze solution from the first spray gun using a glazing profile based at least in part on a type of the dental prosthesis. The glazing profile is selected such that a cross-sectional thickness of a resulting-glazed material of the dental prosthesis has an average thickness range between 15 to 63 μm and a standard deviation of less than 6 μm when measured at locations in an upper half of the dental prosthesis.

Integrated support devices for providing temporary primary stability to a dental prosthesis implant, each individually designed and manufactured for a specific pre-identify patient are also provided. An integrated support device can include a prosthesis interface member configured to connect to an abutment or reduced sized portion of a dental prosthesis/implant. The integrated support device also includes one or more bonding wings for connecting to the adjacent healthy teeth.

Digital design and/or fabrication of a dental prosthesis that includes a gingiva part having retention pockets and corresponding injection channels that extend from the retention pockets to an exterior of the gingiva part. The positioning of a matrix mated to a ball attachment of a dental implant is fixed in the retention pocket by injection of a curable adhesive through the injection channels and into the retention pockets. The location of the retention pockets and the injection channels may be automatically generated by a computer-aided design/computer-assisted manufacturing (CAD/CAM) system. The gingiva part including the retention pockets and injection channels can further be designed and fabricated by the CAD/CAM system.

A process for fabricating pre-sintered zirconia blanks that are then computer machined and sintered to form dental appliances having highly advantageous features. The principal steps of a preferred embodiment of that process comprise; a) preparing a ceramic slurry of zirconia powder; b) subjecting the slurry to attrition milling down to about a 5-29 nm crystallite size; c) preparing a vacuum assisted and pressure assisted slip casting mold and pouring the milled slurry into the slip-casting mold; d) after casting, excess slurry is poured from the mold and a consolidated zirconia blank is removed; e) drying the blank and pre-sintering it to form solid blanks ready for CAD/CAM machining and sintering to net shape. The attrition is run with ball bearings that are of the sample material to prevent contamination. It also is run, up to 24 hours, to break down the crystallites to overcome the high density of zirconia.

Provided is a silicate glass, a method for preparing a silicate glass-ceramics by using the silicate glass, and a method for preparing a lithium disilicate glass-ceramics by using the silicate glass, and more particularly, to a method for preparing a glass-ceramics that has a nanosize of 0.2 to 0.5 μm and contains lithium disilicate and silicate crystalline phases. A nano lithium disilicate glass-ceramics containing a SiO.sub.2 crystalline phase includes: a glass composition including 70 to 85 wt % SiO.sub.2, 10 to 13 wt % Li.sub.2O, 3 to 7 wt % P.sub.2O.sub.5 working as a nuclei formation agent, 0 to 5 wt % Al.sub.2O.sub.3 for increasing a glass transition temperature and a softening point and enhancing chemical durability of glass, 0 to 2 wt % ZrO.sub.2, 0.5 to 3 wt % CaO for increasing a thermal expansion coefficient of the glass, 0.5 to 3 wt % Na.sub.2O, 0.5 to 3 wt % K.sub.2O, and 1 to 2 wt % colorants, and 0 to 2.0 wt % mixture of MgO, ZnO, F, and La.sub.2O.sub.3.

Lithium silicate glass ceramics and glasses containing specific oxides of divalent elements are described which crystallize at low temperatures and are suitable in particular as dental materials.