Abstract: A visible-light photopolymerizable composition comprising a) a cationically polymerizable epoxy resin, b) a hydroxyl-containing material c) an aryliodonium salt and d) a visible light sensitizer that is an alpha-dicarbonyl compound having an extinction coefficient less than about 1000. Particularly preferred compositions of the present invention are dental materials.

Abstract: A cartridge for delivery of non-aqueous paste dental materials is provided, wherein the cartridge comprises a cartridge body made from an injection moldable material comprising amorphous polyolefin polymers. The cartridge contains only non-aqueous materials.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of luting a provisional prosthetic device to tooth structure using glass ionomer cement systems having reduced bulk shear adhesion. The invention also provides a kit for luting a prosthetic device to tooth structure. The kit contains at least three containers of glass ionomer luting cement compositions. The kit advantageously can be utilized for providing both a provisional and a permanent luting cement depending upon which components are admixed.

Abstract: Incorporation of inorganic colloidal particles into an encapsulation dispersion results in microcapsules having polymer shell walls further comprising colloidal inorganic particles. Capsules prepared in this manner have been found to be smaller in size, have a narrower size distribution, and exhibit decreased shell wall permeability. Capsules prepared using these colloidal particle dispersions are particularly useful in carbonless imaging constructions such as those containing a fill solution of a color precursor in a hydrophobic solvent and form deeply colored images when combined with a color developer.

Abstract: Thermoplastic molding compositions are made from a blend of high molecular weight and low molecular weight polycaprolactones. The blends have lower viscosity, and can have higher modulus, than a composition containing only high molecular weight polycaprolactone. The blends are especially useful for dental impressioning.

Abstract: Cosmetic compositions are provided containing vinyl-silicone graft or block copolymers of the formula ##STR1##

Abstract: Thermoplastic compositions are used for the fabrication of provisional (i.e., temporary) prosthetic devices, especially for the fabrication of crowns and bridges, and as liners for crowns. Preferably, the thermoplastic compositions comprise free-radically polymerizable functionality so that the material can be polymerized after being shaped to a desired configuration.

Abstract: The present specification describes a cleanup article which selectively sorbs hydrophobic dental resins. The article is particularly useful in the removal of excess resin-containing materials from the mouth during dental procedures. The article preferably is of sufficient integral strength to prevent break-up of the article during use.

Abstract: The present invention provides an addition-curable composition containing an inorganic, organic or organometalic compound of palladium in an amount effective to reduce the amount of hydrogen gas evolved in the reaction of the composition. A preferred embodiment is a dental impression material composition comprising: (a) an addition-curable compound; (b) a crosslinker; (c) a platinum-containing catalyst; and (d) a palladium compound. This generally provides a positive gypsum model of, for example, a dental impression that is substantially free of pits.

Abstract: Fluoroaluminosilicate dental cement glasses are treated with an aqueous silanol treating solution and optionally with an additional organic compound. The treated glasses form cements with improved strength. The silanol can be ethylenically-unsaturated and can contain acidic groups, and, if so, is novel in its own right.

Abstract: Coatings for hard tissue and surfaces of the oral environment are provided that reduce adhesion of bacteria and proteinaceous substances to these surfaces. Methods of reducing adhesion of these materials to such surfaces, and polymers for incorporation into such coatings are also provided.

Abstract: A modified amalgam composition forming an adhesive bond with tooth structure treated with a dental adhesive. The modified amalgam can be prepared by admixing particulate additives into conventional amalgam alloy powder to form a modified alloy powder and then triturating the modified alloy powder with mercury. The modified amalgam when applied to a prepared tooth cavity that has been precoated with an acrylate- or methacrylate-functional dental adhesive results in an adhesive bond between the modified amalgam and coated tooth structure. Preferred particulate additives for the amalgam alloy powder are acrylate- or methacrylate-functional polymers, metal salts of acrylates or methacrylates, nonmetallic fillers, oxidizing agents and reducing agents.

Abstract: Thermoplastic molding compositions are made from a mixture of thermoplastic material (for example, polycaprolactone), a free-radically polymerizable resin (for example, a urethane diacrylate oligomer), and free-radical initiator (for example, a visible-light cure photoinitiator). The mixture is solid at 38.degree. C., has a melting or softening point that comfortably can be withstood by oral tissues, and can be imprinted with a heat-stable custom shape memory and semi-thermoplastic properties by shaping the composition to a desired shape and then causing or permitting the resin to undergo polymerization.

Abstract: A cartridge for delivery of aqueous paste dental materials is provided, wherein the cartridge comprises a cartridge body made from an injection moldable material comprising polyolefin polymers. The cartridge body having a Moisture Permeability less than 25 g mil/m.sup.2 day atm. and an Oxygen Permeability greater than 180 cm.sup.3 mil/m.sup.2 day atm. The cartridge body comprises at least one chamber adapted for holding and simultaneously dispensing an aqueous paste dental material. The cartridge has a polymerizable aqueous paste dental material contained within the chamber of the cartridge body, and the cartridge is specially adapted to be mounted in a hand-held ejector-type gun.

Abstract: Chemically derived leucite is claimed. The chemically derived leucite is obtained from a stable dispersion of a potassia precursor, an alumina precursor and a silica precursor having a specified dry weight solids content. Chemically derived tetragonal leucite is particularly useful as a component of a dental porcelain.

Abstract: A sampler for delivery of microencapsulated liquid fragrance material is provided that comprises at least one treated paper sheet defining an enclosed cavity. The paper sheet is at least partially treated with a volatile containment treatment, wherein the volatile liquid containment treatment is water-stable and organic liquid capsule fill-stable. The enclosed cavity is substantially completely defined by treated portion(s) of the sheet. Microcapsules comprising microencapsulated organic liquid capsule fill are disposed within the cavity.

Abstract: Coatings for hard tissue and surfaces of the oral environment are provided that reduce adhesion of bacteria and proteinaceous substances to these surfaces. Methods of reducing adhesion of these materials to such surfaces, and polymers for incorporation into such coatings are also provided.

Abstract: A process for making solid colored particles by preparing a reaction solution in water comprising formaldehyde, urea, a cyclic polyamine functional triazine compound, and acid. A dye can be incorporated into the reaction solution if a color other than white is desired. Particles are formed having an average particle size between 1 and 70 microns without the need to resort to crushing to break up agglomerates. Particles made by this process provide excellent color and are easily washable from a substrate when incorporated into a washable formulation.Additionally, it has been found that the incorporation of colored microcapsules of average size of 1-70 microns where the color is located primarily on or in the shell of the microcapsule also provides excellent washable compositions when incorporated into a washable formulation.

Abstract: A method for adhering amalgam to a dental surface comprising the steps of a) etching the dental surface with acid, b) applying a treatment composition comprising an aromatic sulfinate salt to the etched dental surface, c) applying a priming solution containing a film-former to the treated dental surface, d) applying a chemically curable dental adhesive to the primed dental surface, and e) applying amalgam to the adhesive-coated dental surface. The chemically curable adhesive comprises an oxidizing agent and a reducing agent. The oxidizing agent is present in an amount sufficient to interact with said aromatic sulfinate salt to achieve higher adhesion to the dental surface than a like method not comprising an aromatic sulfinate salt in the treatment composition.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel dental impression materials, the cure of which can be monitored visually, comprising: (1) a curable silicone polymer; (2) a crosslinker compound containing silicon-bonded-hydrogen groups; (3) a hydrosilation catalyst; and (4) one or more cure-indicating dyes that exhibit a color change in the presence of a silicon-bonded-hydrogen compound and a hydrosilation catalyst. The cure-indicating dye provides the composition with an initial pre-cure color and a different post-cure color. As a result of this change in color, the state of cure of the impression material can be visually monitored.