Abstract: A dental model gripping system can include a dental model and a dental model gripper. The dental model can include a replica set of teeth and a flat bottom surface there beneath that can include first and second vertical openings spaced apart by an opening distance. The dental model gripper can have a flat top surface and first and second pins extending vertically therethrough that can slide toward and away from each other. The first and second pins can be slid to an engaging position where they are spaced apart by the opening distance and are insertable into the vertical openings of the dental model, can be slid away from each other to a gripping position while inserted into the vertical openings, and can press against internal surfaces within the vertical openings to grip firmly the bottom surface of the dental model against the top surface of the dental model gripper.

Abstract: A method of making a polymer having the structure (I): wherein L is a linking group, R is a hydrocarbon group or a substituted-hydrocarbon group, and x is 2 or more, preferably from 2 to 100, more preferably from 2 to 50; and wherein each {Q} is an identical polymer block or contains a plurality of polymer blocks. The method comprises reacting a di-halo initiator with a selected monomer one or more times and then reacting the resulting moiety with a dithiol compound of the structure HS—R—SH.

Abstract: A polymer having the structure (I): L is a linking group, R is a hydrocarbon group or a substituted-hydrocarbon group, and x is 2 or more, preferably from 2 to 100, more preferably from 2 to 50. Each {Q} is (a) an identical polymer block composed of 3 or more monomer units, or (b) contains a plurality of polymer blocks, each polymer block being composed of 3 or more monomer units, such that the moiety {Q}-L-{Q} has the structure {Pn . . . P2P1}-L-{P1P2 . . . Pn} where each Pn is an individual polymer block, the number of polymer blocks n in each {Q} being the same; wherein for each value of n the polymer blocks are identical; and wherein n is an integer of 2 or more, preferably from 2 to 100, more preferably from 2 to 50.

Abstract: A polymer having the structure (I): L is a linking group, R is a hydrocarbon group or a substituted-hydrocarbon group, and x is 2 or more, preferably from 2 to 100, more preferably from 2 to 50. Each {Q} is (a) an identical polymer block composed of 3 or more monomer units, or (b) contains a plurality of polymer blocks, each polymer block being composed of 3 or more monomer units, such that the moiety {Q}-L-{Q} has the structure {Pn . . . P2P1}-L-{P1P2 . . . Pn} where each Pn is an individual polymer block, the number of polymer blocks n in each {Q} being the same; wherein for each value of n the polymer blocks are identical; and wherein n is an integer of 2 or more, preferably from 2 to 100, more preferably from 2 to 50.

Abstract: A method of making a polymer having the structure (I): wherein L is a linking group, R is a hydrocarbon group or a substituted-hydrocarbon group, and x is 2 or more, preferably from 2 to 100, more preferably from 2 to 50; and wherein each {Q} is an identical polymer block or contains a plurality of polymer blocks. The method comprises reacting a di-halo initiator with a selected monomer one or more times and then reacting the resulting moiety with a dithiol compound of the structure HS—R—SH.