Provided are compositions and devices containing microspheres encapsulating one or more drug(s). The compositions and devices may be used to treat or prevent infection associated or caused by oral mucosal diseases, oral infections, oral conditions, dental conditions, or surgical recovery. The devices include, but are not limited to, splints, mouth guards, full dentures, partial dentures, or fillings. The devices may be manufactured from filaments that have a composition of the present disclosure. Also provided are methods of making and using the devices and compositions.

The invention relates to the use of sphingosine-based compounds, in particular phytosphingosine compounds, in the protection of hydroxyapatite containing materials such as teeth and bone. Such compounds are especially useful in the treatment and prevention of dental caries, dental erosion, dentine hypersensitivity and tartar (dental calculus) formation. Methods and devices are also provided for preventing biofilm formation using sphingosine-based compounds. Compositions comprising sphingosine-based compounds are also provided.

The invention relates to the use of sphingosine-based compounds, in particular phytosphingosine compounds, in the protection of hydroxyapatite containing materials such as teeth and bone. Such compounds are especially useful in the treatment and prevention of dental caries, dental erosion, dentine hypersensitivity and tartar (dental calculus) formation. Methods and devices are also provided for preventing biofilm formation using sphingosine-based compounds. Compositions comprising sphingosine-based compounds are also provided.

Methods and systems for automatically spraying a glaze solution onto a dental prosthesis are described. 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.

The invention relates to the use of flowable, photopolymerizable composite resin compositions that comprise a nanoscale organic surface-modified filler for stereolithographically producing a shaped dental part and to a method for producing corresponding shaped dental parts. The method according to the invention is particularly simple, fast, reliable and cost-effective. It allows improved shaped dental parts to be produced, in particular improved bridges and crowns.

Disclosed are example embodiments of methods and systems for automatically coloring a dental prosthesis. One of the systems includes: a memory configured to store a computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) file of the dental prosthesis; a holding apparatus for securing the dental prosthesis; one or more outlets for dispensing coloring fluid; an coloring fluid controller configured to control the one or more outlets to dispense coloring fluid at a preset size and frequency based at least on the CAM file; and a motion controller configured to move the holding apparatus or the one or more outlets based at least on the CAM file.

Disclosed are example embodiments of methods and systems for automatically coloring a dental prosthesis. One of the systems includes: a memory configured to store a computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) file of the dental prosthesis; a holding apparatus for securing the dental prosthesis; one or more outlets for dispensing coloring fluid; an coloring fluid controller configured to control the one or more outlets to dispense coloring fluid at a preset size and frequency based at least on the CAM file; and a motion controller configured to move the holding apparatus or the one or more outlets based at least on the CAM file.

Apparatuses, components, devices, methods, and systems for generating dentures are provided. An example system includes a motion capture system that captures patient jaw motion and generates patient jaw motion data; and a denture design system that generates a denture design based on the patient jaw motion data. An example method includes acquiring a digital reference denture model of a reference denture; selecting a denture tooth library based on the digital reference denture model; selecting and aligning denture library teeth from the selected denture tooth library to the digital reference denture model; generating a denture base digital model based on the digital reference denture model and the aligned denture library teeth; and fabricating a physical denture based from the denture base digital model.

The dental coating composition of the present invention is suitable to coat dental prosthetics. The composition is a mixture of a (meth)acrylate dimer, a (meth)acrylate crosslinker, a photoinitiator, and a silicone surfactant, and optionally, a (meth)acrylate monomer with a heteroalkyl group, a colorant, special effects pigment, particles, and other additives. Incorporating particles in the dental coating formulation provides a “character” to the surface of the dental prosthetic, increasing the esthetic appeal of the prosthetic. The dental coating thus may make the parts of the dental prosthetic appear to approximate gingivae, or gum. The dental coating composition may be applied to a surface of an unfinished dental prosthesis prior to curing, to a partially cured prosthesis, or fully cured prosthesis.

Disclosed is a machinable dental bulk block that is a glass ceramic block including an amorphous glass matrix and crystalline phases introduced into the matrix. A major crystalline phase is lithium disilicate and minor crystalline phases are lithium phosphate and at least one of spodumene and virgilite. The dental block is made of a functionally gradient material in which the major crystalline phase exhibits a gradient of particle sizes in a depth direction of the dental block and which has no interface at a point where the gradient of particle sizes of the major crystalline phase changes. The dental bulk block is useful for production of a dental prosthesis (artificial tooth) similar to a natural tooth. The dental bulk block can reduce time and the number of processing steps to manufacture a dental prosthesis and provides improved structural stability through good force distribution obtained by functionally graded mechanical properties.