A dental device is described that comprises a monolithic support structure for use in implant-supported dental restoration applications for partially or fully edentulous patients. The monolithic support structure comprises a unitary support body with one or more teeth projections projecting from the support body, and at least one support region providing a framework for integrating discrete artificial teeth adjacent the teeth projections. An implant-supported dental device is also provided that comprises the monolithic support structure, one or more artificial teeth, and a gingival region comprised of a formable material that secures artificial teeth within the framework of the monolithic support structure.

Techniques for generating a multi-layered thin film coating for dental applications are disclosed. An example of a dental substrate with an aesthetic coating includes a barrier layer deposited on the dental substrate, a textured layer deposited over the barrier layer, the textured layer comprising a first material with features of a size sufficient to scatter light, and at least one protective layer deposited over the textured layer.

A dental implant includes an insert element of a titanium-based material inserted and soldered into a blind hole in an anchoring element of a ceramic material. An outer surface of the insert element has spacer members to center the insert element in the blind hole, with a uniform circumferential gap space relative to the anchoring element. The insert element is longer than the blind hole, so that a portion of the insert element protrudes outwardly beyond an end face of the anchoring element. The blind hole is partly filled with a glass solder suspension, and the insert element is inserted into the blind hole, whereby an excess amount of the glass solder is displaced out of the gap space onto the end face of the anchoring element and the protruding portion of the insert element. A thermal soldering process secures the insert element into the anchoring element. The protruding portion of the insert element and remaining excess solder is removed to form a planar surface.

A dental prosthesis, typically formed in a press to metal process, includes application of a porcelain composition sufficient to form a veneer on a dental prosthesis supporting metal structure, the composition having an integrated tooth-like translucency providing an aesthetic appearance. The composition is formed of a dentin frit and an enamel frit, typically sintered into a desired ingot shape including an amount of composition sufficient to veneer the prosthesis. The porcelain composition is a component of a kit that includes opaquers, other porcelains and stains useful in finishing to provide an aesthetic prosthesis.

Disclosed herein is a method for forming an anti-microbial layer on an apparatus. Also disclosed is a method for improving the anti-bacterial properties of a titanium device coated with titanium-nitride (TiN). Also disclosed is a medical apparatus comprising an anti-microbial layer prepared by the disclosed methods. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present disclosure.

A dental device is described that comprises a monolithic support structure for use in implant-supported dental restoration applications for partially or fully edentulous patients. The monolithic support structure comprises a unitary support body with one or more teeth projections projecting from the support body, and at least one support region providing a framework for integrating discrete artificial teeth adjacent the teeth projections. An implant-supported dental device is also provided that comprises the monolithic support structure, one or more artificial teeth, and a gingival region comprised of a formable material that secures artificial teeth within the framework of the monolithic support structure.

The invention relates to the use of lithium silicate glass ceramics and glasses with rubidium oxide content for coating an oxide ceramic, a metal or an alloy.

Dental restorations such as crowns, are made from lithium silicate glass ceramic that is heated and pressed onto a metal substrate, the latter being shaped to an impression or scan of the area of the mouth to receive the restoration. The metal substrate is made from an alloy selected to exhibit a coefficient of thermal expansion which is slightly greater than the CTE of the lithium silicate. In a preferred embodiment, the CTE of the lithium silicate glass ceramic is in the range of 11.5 to 12.5 and the alloy is selected to have a CTE of 12 to 13.5. A palladium tin alloy provides that CTE in the preferred embodiment.

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 m and a standard deviation of less than 6 m when measured at locations in an upper half of the dental prosthesis.

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 gripper configured to hold the dental prosthesis; and a controller, which is configured to automatically apply glaze onto the dental prosthesis using the first spray gun to produce a glazed dental prosthesis in a manner such that a cross-section of the glazed dental prosthesis has an average glaze thickness in a range between 15 to 63 m and a standard deviation of less than 3 m when thickness measurements are measured at locations in an upper half of the dental prosthesis.