Glass ceramics having SiO.sub.2 as main crystal phase and precursors thereof are described which are characterized by very good mechanical and optical properties and in particular can be used as restoration material in dentistry.

Glass ceramics having SiO.sub.2 as main crystal phase and precursors thereof are described which are characterized by very good mechanical and optical properties and in particular can be used as restoration material in dentistry.

A hardenable (e.g. dental) compositions is described comprising an encapsulated material. The encapsulated material comprises a basic core material and an inorganic shell material having certain viscosity criteria. Also described are dispensing devices and kits are described comprising a hardenable (e.g. dental) composition comprising a liquid material and an encapsulated material wherein the encapsulated material comprises a basic core material and an inorganic shell material comprising a metal oxide surrounding the core. The dispensing devices and kits can facilitate the methods of applying the hardenable composition. The hardenable or hardened (e.g. cured) composition can provide various technical effects such as a delayed release of a basic core material, a delayed increase in basicity, promoting remineralization of a tooth or bone structure, and increasing the average alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity of pulp cells. In some embodiments, the composition is a dental (e.g. sealant) composition to a tooth structure.

ZrO.sub.2-toughened glass ceramics having high molar fractions of tetragonal ZrO.sub.2 and fracture toughness value of greater than 1.8 MPa.Math.m.sup.1/2. The glass ceramic may also include also contain other secondary phases, including lithium silicates, that may be beneficial for toughening or for strengthening through an ion exchange process. Additional second phases may also decrease the coefficient of thermal expansion of the glass ceramic. A method of making such glass ceramics is also provided.

ZrO.sub.2-toughened glass ceramics having high molar fractions of tetragonal ZrO.sub.2 and fracture toughness value of greater than 1.8 MPa.Math.m.sup.1/2. The glass ceramic may also include also contain other secondary phases, including lithium silicates, that may be beneficial for toughening or for strengthening through an ion exchange process. Additional second phases may also decrease the coefficient of thermal expansion of the glass ceramic. A method of making such glass ceramics is also provided.

The present invention relates to a dental composition including cement and a non-aqueous liquid, wherein the cement includes a first domain including alite, a second domain including belite, and a matrix located between one or more selected from the group consisting of the first domain and the second domain and configured to include silicon (Si)-atom-doped tricalcium aluminate (3CaO.Al.sub.2O.sub.3). A dental hydraulic composition according to the present invention is a single ointment-type composition, and is thus easy to use and exhibits a good aesthetic appearance, high curability and high biocompatibility.

The present invention relates to a dental composition including cement and a non-aqueous liquid, wherein the cement includes a first domain including alite, a second domain including belite, and a matrix located between one or more selected from the group consisting of the first domain and the second domain and configured to include silicon (Si)-atom-doped tricalcium aluminate (3CaO.Al.sub.2O.sub.3). A dental hydraulic composition according to the present invention is a single ointment-type composition, and is thus easy to use and exhibits a good aesthetic appearance, high curability and high biocompatibility.

ZrO.sub.2-toughened glass ceramics having high molar fractions of tetragonal ZrO.sub.2 and fracture toughness value of greater than 1.8 MPa.Math.m.sup.1/2. The glass ceramic may also include also contain other secondary phases, including lithium silicates, that may be beneficial for toughening or for strengthening through an ion exchange process. Additional second phases may also decrease the coefficient of thermal expansion of the glass ceramic. A method of making such glass ceramics is also provided.

ZrO.sub.2-toughened glass ceramics having high molar fractions of tetragonal ZrO.sub.2 and fracture toughness value of greater than 1.8 MPa.Math.m.sup.1/2. The glass ceramic may also include also contain other secondary phases, including lithium silicates, that may be beneficial for toughening or for strengthening through an ion exchange process. Additional second phases may also decrease the coefficient of thermal expansion of the glass ceramic. A method of making such glass ceramics is also provided.

The invention relates to a glazing composition for a porous dental zirconia article, the glazing composition comprising liquid, glass particles, fluorescing component(s) comprising europium, optionally hydrophilic silica nano-particles, and optionally hydrophobic silica nano-particles, wherein the fluorescing component(s) can be contained in the glass particles or as separate component. The invention also relates to a process for sintering a porous dental zirconia article with a glazing composition on its surface.