A biocompatible composite material for controlled release is disclosed, comprising a biocompatible metal oxide structure with a loaded network of pores. The pore network of the biocompatible composite material is filled with a uniformly distributed biologically active micellizing amphiphilic molecule, the size of these pores ranging from about 0.5 to about 100 nanometers. The material is characterized in that when exposed to phosphate-buffered saline (PBS), the controlled release of the active amphiphilic molecule is predominantly diffusion-driven over time.

A biocompatible composite material for controlled release is disclosed, comprising a biocompatible metal oxide structure with a loaded network of pores. The pore network of the biocompatible composite material is filled with a uniformly distributed biologically active micellizing amphiphilic molecule, the size of these pores ranging from about 0.5 to about 100 nanometers. The material is characterized in that when exposed to phosphate-buffered saline (PBS), the controlled release of the active amphiphilic molecule is predominantly diffusion-driven over time.

Provided is an implantable composite which includes a plurality of resorbable ceramic particles with or without a biodegradable polymer. The resorbable ceramic particles can be granules including carbonated hydroxyapatite and tricalcium phosphate in a ratio of 5:95 to 70:30. Some resorbable ceramic particles are granules, which include carbonated hydroxyapatite and β tricalcium phosphate in a ratio of 5:95 to 70:30. The resorbable ceramic particles have a particle size from about 0.4 to about 3.5 mm. The implantable composite is configured to tit at or near a bone defect as an autograft extender to promote bone growth. Methods of using the implantable composite are also provided.

A ceramic composite material and a method for producing same. The ceramic composite material has a ceramic matrix comprising zirconium oxide and at least one secondary phase dispersed therein. The matrix is composed of zirconium oxide as at least 51 vol.-% of composite material, and the secondary phase is in a proportion of 1 to 49 vol.-% of composite material, wherein 90 to 99% of the zirconium oxide is present in the tetragonal phase based on the total zirconium oxide portion. The tetragonal phase of the zirconium oxide is stabilized by at least one member selected from the group consisting of chemical stabilization and mechanical stabilization. The ceramic composite is damage-tolerant.

To provide a dental lithium silicate glass composition capable of providing a dental lithium silicate glass ceramic capable of efficiently precipitating the main crystals (lithium disilicate and/or lithium metasilicate) even after heat treatment. To provide a Al.sub.2O.sub.3-free dental lithium silicate glass composition including the following components: SiO.sub.2: 60.0 to 80.0% by weight, Li.sub.2O: 10.0 to 17.0% by weight, K.sub.2O: 0.5 to 10.0% by weight, ZrO.sub.2: 0.0 to 5.0% by weight, a nucleating agent: 1.0 to 6.0% by weight, a glass stabilizer: 0.0 to 8.0% by weight and a colorant: 0.0 to 10.0% by weight.

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.

The invention is related to a shaded porcelain system that contains two types of veneering porcelains: natural enamel/dentin body and opal enamel, as well as stain & glaze porcelain, with CTE that are compatible to and which can be used for veneering a dental prosthesis made of 1) lithium disilicate-based glass-ceramic substructure that is formed by hot pressing or CAD/CAM machined process or 2) YTZP zirconia-based ceramic substructure that is formed by CAD/CAM machined process in order to improve overall esthetics of final prosthesis.

The invention is related to a shaded porcelain system that contains two types of veneering porcelains: natural enamel/dentin body and opal enamel, as well as stain & glaze porcelain, with CTE that are compatible to and which can be used for veneering a dental prosthesis made of 1) lithium disilicate-based glass-ceramic substructure that is formed by hot pressing or CAD/CAM machined process or 2) YTZP zirconia-based ceramic substructure that is formed by CAD/CAM machined process in order to improve overall esthetics of final prosthesis.

A dental all-ceramic restoration and manufacturing method thereof; the outer surface of the dental all-ceramic restoration has neither visible marks remaining from the removal of the connecting bars (7) nor local grinding traces and chipping, and is smooth with uniform structure. The manufacturing method thereof is wet-forming or milling. No connecting bars are needed to connect the dental restoration bodies (3) with a surrounding mould blank or ceramic blank. This eliminates the need for manually cutting off the connecting bars (7) to separate the forming body from the surrounding ceramic blank, further grinding and polishing process to treat the excessively rough outer surface, and thereby reducing the risk of chipping and premature failure. In the manufacturing processes thereof, the hardened ceramic green body (2) made by wet-forming technique has more homogenous microstructure and less particle packing defects than the dry-pressed blanks and partially sintered blanks. Furthermore, higher surface smoothness can be obtained by milling unsintered hardened ceramic green body than by milling partially sintered blanks. The dental all-ceramic restoration has a high degree of surface finish, and can be directly used without polishing, veneering or glazing.

To provide a two-paste type sealer composition for root canal filling consisting of a first paste containing a polymer (a) of an acid group-containing polymerizable monomer in which a portion or the entirety of the acidic group in a molecule forms a salt with an alkaline metal, a non-acid reactive powder (b) and water (c), wherein the pH of the first paste is in the range from 3.5 to 5.5, and a second paste containing an acid reactive inorganic powder (d), water (c) and a thickener (e), wherein, a cured product of a kneaded material of the first paste and the second paste comprises 3 to 20 part by weight of the polymer (a), 15 to 60 part by weight of the water (c), and 30 to 70 part by weight of the acid reactive inorganic powder (d).