Abstract:
By using titanium, titanium based alloys, or related metals or alloys, an orthodontic bracket can be manufactured which is lighter and stronger than any conventional type of bracket made of stainless steels, plastics and even ceramics. Ti based brackets have shown excellent corrosion resistance and possess good biocompatibility. Surface treatments including nitriding, diamond coating, pre-oxidation or shot-peening on the slot bottom surface of such brackets reduce the friction coefficient against the orthodontic archwire. Furthermore, the bonding strength may be enhanced by shot-peening, ion beam etching or reactive ion etching on the tooth contact surface of the base portion of the bracket.
Abstract:
By using titanium, titanium based alloys, or related metals or alloys, an orthodontic bracket can be manufactured which is lighter and stronger than any conventional type of bracket made of stainless steels, plastics and even ceramics. Ti based brackets have shown excellent corrosion resistance and possess good biocompatibility. Surface treatments including nitriding, diamond coating, pre-oxidation or shot-peening on the slot bottom surface of such brackets reduce the friction coefficient against the orthodontic archwire. Furthermore, the bonding strength may be enhanced by shot-peening, ion beam etching or reactive ion etching on the tooth contact surface of the base portion of the bracket.
Abstract:
Described are unique prosthesis systems including superplastically-formed prosthetic elements, and methods and an apparatus for forming such elements. A preferred dental prosthesis system includes at least two osseointegrated fixtures, abutments attached to the fixtures, a bar member interconnecting the abutments, and a prosthesis detachably connected to the bar member, wherein the prosthesis includes a superplastically-formed metal element having a surface conforming to the bar member and abutments, a resin denture base attached to the metal element, and artificial teeth mounted on the resin denture base. The preferred prosthetic components are prepared by superplastic forming under temperature conditions which are repeatedly cycled above and below the transformation temperature of the metal being formed. In this fashion, metal components having excellent microstructures are prepared, which exhibit characteristic high strength, superior corrosion resistance and excellent dimensional accuracy and stability as well.
Abstract:
A dental examination mirror is provided. The dental examination mirror includes an examination unit having a planar base wall and a side wall projecting upwardly and outwardly from the base wall. The side wall includes an edge remote from the base wall. A mirror wall is sealingly secured to the edge of the side wall and is substantially parallel to the base wall. The surface of the mirror wall facing away from the base wall are reflective to permit observation of regions in an intraoral cavity. At least portions of the mirror wall enable transmission of light. A light source and a heat source are disposed in the examination unit between the base wall and mirror wall. Light from the light source will be transmitted through at least portions of the mirror wall to illuminate at least portions of the intraoral cavity without shining light toward the eyes of the dentist or patient. The heat source in the examination unit prevents fogging of the mirror.
Abstract:
Described are unique prosthesis systems including superplastically-formed prosthetic elements, and methods and an apparatus for forming such elements. A preferred dental prosthesis system includes at least two osseointegrated fixtures, abutments attached to the fixtures, a bar member interconnecting the abutments, and a prosthesis detachably connected to the bar member, wherein the prosthesis includes a superplastically-formed metal element having a surface conforming to the bar member and abutments, a resin denture base attached to the metal element, and artificial teeth mounted on the resin denture base. The preferred prosthetic components are prepared by superplastic forming under temperature conditions which are repeatedly cycled above and below the transformation temperature of the metal being formed. In this fashion, metal components having excellent microstructures are prepared, which exhibit characteristic high strength, superior corrosion resistance and excellent dimensional accuracy and stability as well.
Abstract:
A method for strengthening metallic materials liable to be subjected to internal oxidation, characterized in that said metallic material is strengthened by heating the metallic material liable to be subjected to internal oxidation up to an internal oxidation temperature to cause internal oxidation phenomena to arise, and subjecting said metallic material to a temperature cycle passing over its transformation point to cause superplastic phenomena to arise.
Abstract:
It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved orthopedic implant system with satisfied biological, mechanical and morphological compatibilities. Solid metal femoral stem and solid metal acetabular head are covered with diffusion-bonded foamed-shaped sheet made of commercially pure titanium or titanium alloy(s). The open-cells in said foamed metal sheet are impregnated with biocompatible polymethyl methacrylate resin cement, which is reinforced with selected oxides including alumina, magnesia, zirconia, or a combination of these oxides along with an application of a small amount of a metal primer agent.
Abstract:
One of many universal requirements of dental or orthopedic implants, wherever they are used in the vital body, is that the implant system should be biologically functioning. To achieve the biological functionality, the implant should meet several requirements for compatibility. These include biological compatibility and mechanical compatibility. It has now been recognized that morphological compatibility and crystallographic compatibility should be added to these two compatibility requirements. Hence, the present invention provides a method of forming a certain type of crystalline structure of titanium oxide and controlled surface roughness to meet both morphological and crystallographic compatibilities. It has been further determined that a chemical treatment (using sodium hydroxide) alone or followed by in-air oxidation, or acid treatment (a mixed aqueous solution of hydrofluoric acid and nitric acid), followed by sodium hydroxide treatment, furthermore followed by in-air oxidation provide for advantageous surface modifications to create a complex mixture of rutile with anatase and/or brookite types of titanium oxide and provide a most favorable surface for wettability and an acceptable range of surface roughness.
Abstract:
The present invention provides a sanitary dental mirror for diagnosing and observing a diseased part of a mouth which can prevent an undesired foggy mirror surface. A dental mirror used for diagnosing and observing a diseased part of a patient's mouth is provided with a stem portion, a distal end portion, a mirror attached on one surface of the distal end portion, and a holding member having a concave-shaped filling canister. The dental mirror furthermore comprises a certain type of substance which is filled in the concave-shaped filling canister and stores heat generated by an absorbing reaction with moisture, a lid which has a plurality of small through-holes and opens/closes an opening portion of the concave-shaped filling canister, and a sealing film which is temporarily adhered on the outer surface of the lid.
Abstract:
A method for press working of metallic materials is described herein, which method is characterized in that the metallic material is subjected a temperature cycle passing over a transformation point and simultaneously has a light mechanical load applied thereto, so that press forming is carried out while super-plastic phenomena are generated.