A method of selectively removing at least part of a first phase from a surface of a nanocomposite includes at least a first phase and a second phase, each phase having a respective threshold fluence under a given number of applied laser pulses for removal of the phase by laser ablation. The threshold fluence of the first phase is less than the threshold fluence of the second phase. The method includes irradiating the surface of the nanocomposite with a laser beam having a laser beam diameter, a laser pulse duration, and a laser pulse energy during the irradiation. The laser fluence during the irradiation is less than the threshold fluence of the second phase and greater than the threshold fluence of the first phase. The laser beam diameter is greater than an average grain size of the first phase at the surface of the nanocomposite.

The present invention relates to the use of a formulation comprising a phosphocalcic cement and a physical and/or ovalent hydrogel of polysaccharides for 3D printing, more particularly for bone regeneration and/or bone repair. The present invention also relates to a kit for 3D printing of bone implants comprising a phosphocalcic cement and a physical and/or covalent hydrogel of polysaccharides as well as to a method to prepare a formulation for 3D printing comprising a step of mixing a phosphocalcic cement and a physical and/or covalent liquid hydrogel precursor of polysaccharides.

Anisotropic zinc phosphate particles and zinc metal mixed phosphate particles having an orthorhombic crystal structure and a platelet-shaped particle morphology are obtained from a composition comprising at least one phosphate compound; at least one zinc compound and at least one chelate complexing agent having at least two oxygen-containing groups and at least one solvent.

A method for post-processing a colored zirconium oxide ceramic, the method comprising: putting the colored zirconium oxide ceramic along with a deoxidant into a heating device, conducting a firing process at a preset temperature, and a colorant containing Pr.sup.3+ is used for the coloring, and the deoxidant is excessive with respect to a stoichiometric amount of oxygen in the heating device. The technical solution can completely replace Pe.sup.3+ with Pr.sup.3+ to color the zirconium oxide ceramic yellow.

A method for enhancing optical properties of sintered, zirconia ceramic bodies and zirconia ceramic dental restorations is provided. The porous or pre-sintered stage of a ceramic body is treated with an yttrium-containing composition and sintered, resulting in sintered ceramic bodies having enhanced optical properties. The enhanced optical properties may be substantially permanent, remaining for the useful life of the sintered ceramic body.

Rapid setting high strength calcium phosphate cements and methods of using the same are provided. Aspects of the cements include fine and coarse calcium phosphate particulate reactants and a cyclodextrin which, upon combination with a setting fluid, produce a flowable composition that rapidly sets into a high strength product. The flowable compositions find use in a variety of different applications, including the repair of hard tissue defects, e.g., bone defects such as fractures.

The present invention provides a dentinal tubule occlusion material excellent in terms of initial degree of dentinal tubule occlusion, resistance of dentinal tubule occlusion to acids, handling properties, and storage stability. The present invention relates to an one-pack type dentinal tubule occlusion material comprising fluorapatite particles (A) having an average particle diameter of 0.6 to 10 μm, inorganic particles (B) having an average particle diameter of 0.6 to 10 μm and reactive with water to form apatite, and a non-aqueous dispersant (C).

Inventive manufacture of CrB.sub.2—Al.sub.2O.sub.3 composites is based on pressureless sintering. According to typical inventive practice, CrB.sub.2 powder and Al.sub.2O.sub.3 powder are mixed together in selected volumetric proportions so that the volume of the CrB.sub.2 does not exceed 50% of the overall volume of the CrB.sub.2—Al.sub.2O.sub.3 mixture. The CrB.sub.2—Al.sub.2O.sub.3 mixture is shaped into a green body. The green body is pressureless sintered in a non-oxidizing atmosphere at a firing temperature in the approximate range between 1600° C. and 2050° C. The present invention succeeds in preparing, via pressureless sintering, a proportionality-associated range of compositions in the CrB.sub.2—Al.sub.2O.sub.3 system, which is a potentially “advanced” ceramic system. A typical inventively fabricated CrB.sub.2—Al.sub.2O.sub.3 composite is inventively configured in a complex shape, and has “advanced” material (e.g., mechanical) properties that are favorable for a contemplated application. Inventive manufacture of ceramic-ceramic composites is thus dually attributed, and uncommonly so, with complex shape-ability and advanced capability.

A dental self-adhesive resin cement is provided comprising a two-component system. A first catalyst component includes one or more acidic monomers. A second base component includes one or more basic fillers. The mixture of the first and second components is polymerizable and has an initial pH that is acidic immediately after mixing and a pH of at least about pH 8 after polymerization.

Storage and mixing systems and methods for pasty multicomponent polymethylmethacrylate bone cements, the systems and methods comprise a first tubular cartridge with a first cylindrical internal space containing a first starting component, a first dispensing plunger, a second tubular cartridge that is arranged within the first tubular cartridge. The external wall of the second cartridge touches against the internal wall of the first cartridge and is attached to the internal wall of the first cartridge, whereby the second cartridge contains a second starting component and has a second dispensing plunger arranged in it, whereby a pressing device with a clamping edge for compressing the second cartridge that can be propelled axially in the internal space of the first cartridge is arranged, as seen from the cartridge head, behind the first dispensing plunger and the second dispensing plunger. The pressing device can be propelled appropriately in the direction of the cartridge head such that the second cartridge is being progressively compressed axially during the motion of the pressing device such that, in the process, the first dispensing plunger and the second dispensing plunger are propelled in the direction of the cartridge head.