Abstract: A hydrophobic self-etch dental adhesive composition including a hydrophobic, surfactant-type acidic monomer. The composition may further include hydrophilic and hydrophobic monomers, preferably in a ratio of less than 1:1, and may include a solvent that is an azeotrope.

Abstract: The present application relates to a polymerizable dental adhesive system formulated for effective and durable bonding of zirconia based materials and restorations to dental resins and dental surfaces. According to one embodiment, a polymerizable dental adhesive system comprises a first acidic monomer comprising an ethylenically unsaturated polymerizable group or moiety of the general formula CH2?CX—C(O)— wherein X is hydrogen, methyl or a lower alkyl group, and the first polymerizable monomer further comprises a phosphoric or phosphonic acid group of general formula —OP(O)(OH)2, —OP(O)(OH), —C—P(O)(OH)2 and —C—P(O)(OH), and a second polymerizable acidic monomer comprises an ethylenically unsaturated polymerizable group or moiety of the general formula CH2?CX—C(O)— wherein X is hydrogen, methyl or a lower alkyl group, and wherein the second polymerizable acidic monomer further comprises a carboxylic acid group of the general formula —C(O)OH.

Abstract: A hydrophobic self-etch dental adhesive composition including a hydrophobic, surfactant-type acidic monomer. The composition may further include hydrophilic and hydrophobic monomers, preferably in a ratio of less than 1:1, and may include a solvent that is an azeotrope.

Abstract: The present application relates to a polymerizable dental adhesive system formulated for effective and durable bonding of zirconia based materials and restorations to dental resins and dental surfaces. According to one embodiment, a polymerizable dental adhesive system comprises a first acidic monomer comprising an ethylenically unsaturated polymerizable group or moiety of the general formula CH2?CX—C(O)— wherein X is hydrogen, methyl or a lower alkyl group, and the first polymerizable monomer further comprises a phosphoric or phosphonic acid group of general formula —OP(O)(OH)2, —OP(O)(OH), —C—P(O)(OH)2 and —C—P(O)(OH), and a second polymerizable acidic monomer comprises an ethylenically unsaturated polymerizable group or moiety of the general formula CH2?CX—C(O)— wherein X is hydrogen, methyl or a lower alkyl group, and wherein the second polymerizable acidic monomer further comprises a carboxylic acid group of the general formula —C(O)OH.

Abstract: Dental compositions and methods of curing the composition utilizing a light emitting diode (LED) curing unit. According to one aspect, a composition comprising a multiacrylate compound, an initiator including camphorquinone and at least one amine, and a colorless anti-yellowing agent produces a scratch free surface having no oxygen inhibited layer when cured with the LED curing unit.

Abstract: A water soluble polymer or biodegradable polymer operable to act as a release or separator between a prepared and sealed dentin surface and a temporary restoration.

Abstract: Dental compositions and methods of curing the composition utilizing a light emitting diode (LED) curing unit. According to one aspect, a composition comprising a multiacrylate compound, an initiator including camphorquinone and at least one amine, and a colorless anti-yellowing agent produces a scratch free surface having no oxygen inhibited layer when cured with the LED curing unit.

Abstract: Methods for reducing the number and/or size of gas bubbles in a material are disclosed. The disclosed methods involve subjecting materials to pressure for a period of time. The methods have been found to be useful in the preparation of dental composites and dental structures prepared from those composites. Materials produced using the disclosed methods can have enhanced structural and/or aesthetic features.

Abstract: Dental composite formulations containing an initiator and a multiacrylate compound are disclosed. The formulations lack methyl methacrylate, a volatile, irritating, and potentially hazardous material commonly found in dental formulations. The multiacrylate compound has at least three acrylate functionalities per molecule. The formulations cure to form a surface lacking an oxygen inhibition layer. The formulations can be used as dental sealants, dental coatings, and in fingernail/toenail repair applications.

Abstract: Stable self-etching copolymerizable primer compositions are provided including compounds having a polymerizable ethylenically unsaturated groups and acidic groups, and optionally comonomers and suitable solvents. Such compositions are used in conjunction with dental adhesives to provide one or multi-component dental systems capable of etching or decalcifying tooth dentin and enamel without the need for a separate rinse step. Methods of use of such compositions according to the present invention include application for priming and imparting enhanced adhesion between the primers, adhesives, and the tooth substrates such as dentin or cut or uncut enamel, and subsequently applied dental composites, restoratives or other dental components.

Abstract: Dental composite restorations reinforced with one or more fiber structures are disclosed. The fiber structures can have a wide array of shapes and sizes, including rods with circular cross sections, rods with “U” shaped cross sections, rods with “I” shaped cross sections, and fiber mesh structures. The reinforced dental composite restorations are created by incrementally layering and curing composite materials onto the fiber structures. The resulting restorations have significantly improved flexural strength as compared to conventionally prepared composite restoration materials.

Abstract: Dental composite restorations reinforced with one or more fiber structures are disclosed. The fiber structures can have a wide array of shapes and sizes, including rods with circular cross sections, rods with “U” shaped cross sections, rods with “I” shaped cross sections, and fiber mesh structures. The reinforced dental composite restorations are created by incrementally layering and curing composite materials onto the fiber structures. The resulting restorations have significantly improved flexural strength as compared to conventionally prepared composite restoration materials.

Abstract: Dental composite formulations containing an initiator and a multiacrylate compound are disclosed. The formulations lack methyl methacrylate, a volatile, irritating, and potentially hazardous material commonly found in dental formulations. The multiacrylate compound has at least three acrylate functionalities per molecule. The formulations cure to form a surface lacking an oxygen inhibition layer. The formulations can be used as dental sealants, dental coatings, and in fingernail/toenail repair applications.

Abstract: Methods for reducing the number and/or size of gas bubbles in a material are disclosed. The disclosed methods involve subjecting materials to pressure for a period of time. The methods have been found to be useful in the preparation of dental composites and dental structures prepared from those composites. Materials produced using the disclosed methods can have enhanced structural and/or aesthetic features.

Abstract: Novel unsaturated esters for use in dentistry as bonding agents are produced by a stepwise reaction of a cyclic dianhydride with a) unsaturated alcohols, b) unsaturated glycidyl ethers, and c) unsaturated isocyanates. The products used as bonding agents have the formula: wherein R2 is H or CH3.

Abstract: Self-etching copolymerizable primer compositions including are provided including compounds having a polymerizable ethylenically unsaturated groups and acidic groups, and optionally comonomers and suitable solvents. Such compositions are used in conjunction with dental adhesives to provide one or multi-component dental systems capable of etching or decalcifying tooth dentin and enamel without the need for a separate rinse step. Methods of use of such compositions according to the present invention include application for priming and imparting enhanced adhesion between the primers, adhesives, and the tooth substrates such as dentin or cut or uncut enamel, and subsequently applied dental composites, restoratives or other dental components.

Abstract: Novel unsaturated esters for use in dentistry as bonding agents are produced by a stepwise reaction of a cyclic dianhydride with a) unsaturated alcohols, b) unsaturated glycidyl ethers, and c) unsaturated isocyanates.

Abstract: Stable self-etching copolymerizable primer compositions including are provided including compounds having a polymerizable ethylenically unsaturated groups and acidic groups, and optionally comonomers and suitable solvents. Such compositions are used in conjunction with dental adhesives to provide one or multi-component dental systems capable of etching or decalcifying tooth dentin and enamel without the need for a separate rinse step. Methods of use of such compositions according to the present invention include application for priming and imparting enhanced adhesion between the primers, adhesives, and the tooth substrates such as dentin or cut or uncut enamel, and subsequently applied dental composites, restoratives or other dental components.

Abstract: A process for preparing dental restorations includes the steps of applying a composite restorative material onto a prepared tooth followed by the application of light to the composite of intensity sufficient to penetrate the composite to initiate polymerization. Light application is then suspended for a period of time sufficient to allow for the relaxation of internal stresses created by the initial polymerization of the composite. Light is subsequently applied to the composite to complete polymerization. A curing light is utilized which includes variably-adjustable, multiple power and timing settings.

Abstract: A process for the fabrication of indirect dental restoratives includes the making of a first, pre-operative impression of a tooth to be restored using a first polyvinyl silicone (PVS) material disposed in a clear tray, followed by the preparation of the tooth. A second, final post-operative impression of the tooth is taken utilizing a second PVS material. A tooth model is then made by pouring a low viscosity and suitably rigid, third PVS material into the final impression. Prior to the complete setting of the low viscosity PVS material, a higher viscosity, fourth PVS material is applied onto the model PVS material to form a completed model with base. The model is then fitted into the pre-operative impression matrix made from the first PVS material. Layers of composite are packed onto the impression in the clear matrix.