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:
Cement materials useful in dental and medical fields with improved mechanical properties is described. The cement material includes fluoroaluminosilicate powder and poly(acrylic acid) liquid. Biocompatible oxide powders are further included resulting in improved mechanical properties of maximum strength, rigidity and toughness. Variations of the cement material resulting in improved mechanical properties include the concentration of poly(acrylic acid) liquid, and combining the fluoroaluminosilicate powder with different biocompatible oxide powders. Useful oxide powders include hydroxyapatite powders, titanium oxide, zirconium oxide, aluminum oxide, and silica-containing e-glass powder. Preferably, about 10 vol. % of total amount of oxide powders is used to obtain optimum improvements. The total amount can be based on incorporation of a single or a combination of selected oxide powders. Titanium oxide and aluminum oxide improve toughness; titanium oxide also increases strength, and zirconium oxide enhances rigidity.
Abstract:
A mirror for examining a confined area such as an intraoral cavity including posterior teeth, distal and/or lingual sides of teeth, is provided. The mirror includes a lit fog-free and contaminant-free mirror. Basically, the mirror includes a holding stem component and a mirror component. In the holding stem portion, a battery, motor, and on/off switch and rotation speed controlling device are present. In the mirror portion, a mirror is adhered to a rotatable disk, which rotates inside a circular concave housing and is driven by a shaft which is connected to a shaft in the holding stem component via a connecting mechanism. The circular concave housing has an outer circular surrounding collar which includes a plurality of sub-collars of irregular shapes. When the mirror on the rotatable disk is rotating, air turbulence is generated to spin off any dust, debris, contaminant, and moisture from the mirror surface. The mirror also includes an illuminating light to which electric power is supplied from an installed battery. Hence, the mirror surface is bright enough even when posterior teeth, distal and lingual sides of the teeth are observed and is moisture-free and dust-free.
Abstract:
An insert for reinforcing a nonmetallic orthodontic appliance is provided including a metal core member having a ceramic outer surface. In one preferred form, a ceramic coated metallic insert having a tooth enamel color is disposed within the archwire slot of a plastic bracket to form an aesthetically pleasing, reinforced plastic orthodontic 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:
A method for bonding bodies made of metallic materials is described herein, which method is characterized in that said metallic bodies are pressure bonded to each other by making use of super-plastic phenomena which are generated by subjecting the bonding portions of the metallic bodies to be bonded to a heating and cooling temperature cycle under the state where a bonding insert material that can form a reducible atmosphere upon bonding is sandwiched between the bonding surfaces of the metallic bodies to be bonded.
Abstract:
A method for bonding bodies made of metallic material is described herein, which method is characterized in that one ends of metallic bodies are butted against each other with a light mechanical load applied to the butted portion, and under such a loaded condition the proximity of said butted portion is subjected to a temperature cycle passing over a transformation point of said materials, whereby said metallic bodies may be pressure bonded while super-plastic phenomena are generated in said butted portion of said metallic bodies. In one preferred embodiment, the above-referred loaded condition can be realized without specifically and purposely applying a mechanical force to the bodies to be bonded, but instead one ends of the materials are butted against each other with the main portion thereof maintained in a substantially restrained state, so that the necessary mechanical load to the butted portion may be generated as compression stress based on thermal stress when said temperature cycle is applied to said bodies to be bonded.
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.