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: A method for adhering non-amalgam dental restorative materials to a dental surface comprising the steps of a) etching the dental surface with acid, b) applying a treatment composition comprising an electron donor 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 non-amalgam dental restorative material to the adhesive-coated dental surface. The treatment composition comprises an electron donor compound selected such that the dental restorative has a higher Adhesive Shear Bond Strength than a like method without said electron donor compound.

Abstract: The invention provides a pretreatment method and primer that is applied directly to the hard tissue. The invention has particular utility for adhering to or coating sclerotic dentin and cervical enamel or for adhering to or coating hard tissue in a high humidity environment. The primer enables formation of extremely strong bonds to dentin. The method comprises the steps of:(a) applying to the hard tissue adhesively effective amounts of an acid and a water-dispersible film former comprising a polymer and(b) hardening the film former.Primer compositions are provided for use in this method, comprising a mixture of an acid and a film former comprising a polymer prior to hardening, the mixture being in the form of a film atop the hard tissue.

Abstract: A single phase aqueous solution containing water, a water-soluble film former (e.g., 2-hydroxyethylacrylate) and a salt of an acid (e.g., calcium trifluoroacetate) is used as a primer for adhering to or overcoating hard tissue such as tooth dentin.

Abstract: Organic fluoride sources comprising a tetrafluoroborate salt and capable of releasing fluoride ions into dentition in order to provide inhibition and/or prevention of dental caries are disclosed. A method of releasing fluoride ion into dental tissue is also disclosed.

Abstract: Ethoxylated siloxane surfactants, and mixtures of such surfactants with curable silicone prepolymers. The mixtures are hydrophilic after cure, have semipermanent hydrophilicity, and are especially useful as dental impressions.

Abstract: An acid and a water-soluble film former are used as a primer for hard tissue (e.g., dentin). The acid has a pK.sub.a less than or equal to that of phenol and the acid and its calcium salt(s) are soluble in the film former. The primer is free of adhesively detrimental quantities of calcium salts that are not soluble in the film former.

Abstract: Ethoxylated siloxane surfactants, and mixtures of such surfactants with curable silicone prepolymers. The mixtures are hydrophilic after cure, have semipermanent hydrophilicity, and are especially useful as dental impressions.

Abstract: Acetals and hemiacetals are used as primers for dentin and enamel adhesives.

Abstract: Light sensitive systems comprising a tetra(hydrocarbyl)borate and a dye may be used in the form of a dispersion, with the light sensitive borate and dye in one phase which is dispersed within a second phase.

Abstract: Imaging systems comprising a tetra(hydrocarbyl)borate and a bleachable dye may be rendered desensitizable by the inclusion of a second bleachable dye which absorbs radiation in a different portion of the electromagnetic spectrum than the first bleachable dye.

Abstract: A method for forming an image includes the step of desensitizing a radiation sensitive imaging system comprising a dye and a tetra (hydrocarbyl) borate in a binder by converting the tetra (hydrocarbyl) borate to a compound having fewer than four carbon-to-boron bonds.