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 present invention relates to a method of fabricating an improved lithium silicate glass ceramic and to that material for the manufacture of blocks for dental appliances using a CAD/CAM process and hot pressing system. The lithium silicate material has a chemical composition that is different from those reported in the prior art with 1 to 10% of germanium dioxide in final composition. The softening points are close to the crystallization final temperature of 800° C. indicating that the samples will support the temperature process without shape deformation.

The invention relates to a blank for producing a dental molded part such as an inlay, onlay, crown or bridge, and to a method for producing the blank. To be able to machine a dental molded part, in particular one having thin wall thicknesses, from the blank without difficulty, the blank is designed to consist of a glass ceramic having a density of between 30 and 60% of theoretical density, and of glass-ceramic powder particles with a particle size distribution d.sub.90≦80 μm, lithium silicate crystals being present in an amount of 10 to 90% by volume.

The invention relates to a method to produce a dental structure with a cavity having a negative form of the structure, which is formed in an investment material, wherein flowable lithium silicate glass ceramic is pressed into the cavity. Thereby a compressive surface stress is created in the ceramic structure through the replacement of lithium ions by alkali ions, in that the model is enriched with alkali compounds and/or the model is covered with a layer of a material containing alkali ions.

The invention refers to a method for producing a dental restoration comprising a lithium silicate glass or glass ceramic as well as a dental restoration inself. The invention further refers to a ingot with the same composition having a defined strength.

A vitreous composition according to Table (I) is described. Continuous vitreous fibers are obtained by downdrawing said molten composition, with a length ranging from millimeters to kilometers and diameters ranging from 2 μm to 3 mm. The fibers are covered with collagen and form vitreous fabrics. The fabrics form articles with a variety of medical uses.

Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure provide a lithium silicate crystalline or amorphous glass overlaying the top surfaces of zirconia and the manufacturing process thereof. More specifically, exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure provide a lithium silicate glass or lithium silicate crystalline glass with high light transmittance and good coloring characteristics and the manufacturing process thereof, which overlays the top surface of zirconia with high mechanical strength, frameworks, or copings. The lithium silicate crystalline or amorphous glass may include 10-15 wt % Li.sub.2O, 71.1-85.0 wt % SiO.sub.2, 2-5 wt % P.sub.2O.sub.5 working as nuclear formation agent, 1-5 wt % Al.sub.2O.sub.3 to increase glass transition temperature and softening temperature, as well as chemical durability of the glass, and 0.01-1.0 wt % ZrO.sub.2 which increases the binding strength of the zirconia substructure.

Lithium disilicate apatite glass-ceramics are described which are characterized by a high chemical stability and can therefore be used in particular as restoration material in dentistry.

The invention relates to the use of lithium silicate glass ceramics and glasses with caesium oxide content, which are suitable in particular for veneering oxide ceramic restorations and metal restorations.

A bioactive borate glass composition including, for example: 30 to 60% B.sub.2O.sub.3; 0.5 to 20% ZrO.sub.2; 3 to 30% Na.sub.2O; 0.1 to 15% K.sub.2O; 0.1 to 15% MgO; 5 to 30% CaO; and 1 to 5% P.sub.2O.sub.5 in mole percents based on 100 mol % of the total composition. Also disclosed is a method of making and method of using the compositions and the bioactive borate glass dentin treatment formulations.