Dental compositions and methods of formulating a dental composition are described. In one embodiment, the dental composition comprises a polymerizable resin comprising one or more ethylenically unsaturated monomers or oligomers and nano-particles. The nanoparticles have a refractive index of at least 1.600 and an average discrete or aggregate particle size of no greater than 100 nm. The dental composition further comprises inorganic metal oxide filler having a discrete or aggregate average particle size of at least 200 nm. The nanoparticles are present at a concentration to provide a refractive index differential between the cured polymerizable resin and inorganic metal oxide filler such that the contrast ratio of the dental composition is at least 40.

The present disclosure relates to a dental ceramic article comprising ceramic components, the ceramic components having ZrO2 and Al2O3 and at least one component comprising Mn, Er or mixtures thereof, Al2O3 being present in an amount below about 0.15 wt.-% with respect to the weight of the ceramic article. The present disclosure relates also to kit of parts comprising a ceramic article and a coloring solution and processes for producing a dental ceramic article.

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.

Dental composition comprising (i) one or more di- or polyepoxides; (ii) a compound of the following formula (I)

##STR00001##

In one embodiment, the present application discloses a surface binding compound of the Formula I or Formula II: ##STR00001##
wherein the variables EG, EG1, SP1, SP2, SP3, Ar and BG are as defined herein. In another embodiment, the application discloses a method for forming a coating on a surface of a substrate using the surface binding compound of the Formula I or Formula II.

In one embodiment, the present application discloses a surface binding compound of the Formula I or Formula II: ##STR00001##
wherein the variables EG, EG1, SP1, SP2, SP3, Ar and BG are as defined herein. In another embodiment, the application discloses a method for forming a coating on a surface of a substrate using the surface binding compound of the Formula I or Formula II.

In one embodiment, the present application discloses a surface binding compound of the Formula I or Formula II: ##STR00001##
wherein the variables EG, EG1, SP1, SP2, SP3, Ar and BG are as defined herein. In another embodiment, the application discloses a method for forming a coating on a surface of a substrate using the surface binding compound of the Formula I or Formula II.

In one embodiment, the present application discloses a surface binding compound of the Formula I or Formula II: ##STR00001##
wherein the variables EG, EG1, SP1, SP2, SP3, Ar and BG are as defined herein. In another embodiment, the application discloses a method for forming a coating on a surface of a substrate using the surface binding compound of the Formula I or Formula II.

A method for enhancing optical properties of sintered, zirconia ceramic bodies and zirconia ceramic dental restorations is provided. The porous or pre-sintered stage of a ceramic body is treated with two different yttrium-containing compositions and sintered, resulting in sintered ceramic bodies having enhanced optical properties. The enhanced optical properties may be substantially permanent, remaining for the useful life of the sintered ceramic body.

A method for enhancing optical properties of sintered, zirconia ceramic bodies and zirconia ceramic dental restorations is provided. The porous or pre-sintered stage of a ceramic body is treated with two different yttrium-containing compositions and sintered, resulting in sintered ceramic bodies having enhanced optical properties. The enhanced optical properties may be substantially permanent, remaining for the useful life of the sintered ceramic body.