Abstract: An endodontic post comprising a combined endodontic post and filling material tip in a single unit. To use the post unit, the device is placed in an oven or heater to heat and soften the thermoplastic material. The device will then be placed in a root canal that has been opened to a predetermined dimension by use of endodontic files, to seal the apical end. If necessary, the gutta percha can be compacted toward the apex, while it is still in the softened state, to ensure the apex is adequately sealed. The post is then cemented into place by lining the canal walls with a bonding agent and filling the interface between the post and the walls of the canal with a dual cure resin cement. This will result in a coronal seal of the canal via resin restorative material and an apical seal of the canal by means of gutta percha and sealant. The remaining portion of the post, extending supra-gingivally, will be used to build a core around it. Any excess will be cut off.

Abstract: A polymerizable dental glaze, comprising: a polymerizable, ethylenically unsaturated resin composition; a filler composition consisting essentially of a polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane filler; and a curing system. These polymerizable dental glazes may be used for temporary or permanent dental restorations.

Abstract: A self-etching primer composition and method for etching and treating a tooth surface prior to restoration. The self-etching primer composition contains DOPA. In practice, the composition is applied to the tooth surface and not subsequently washed prior to application of an adhesive or other restorative material.

Abstract: A dental restorative composition comprises a resin composition comprising a low shrinkage, polymerizable oligomer contains units of the structure: AB??(I) wherein A is an organic radical having 1 to about 6 (meth)acrylate groups and 0 to about 5 hydroxy groups; B is an organic radical having 1 to about 5 epoxide groups, and wherein A and B are linked through the reaction of an epoxide and a hydroxy group; and a filler composition comprising a polyhedral silsequioxane and a sol-derived filler. These polymerizable dental composites may be used for a variety of dental materials, treatments, and restorative functions, including crown and bridge materials, fillings, adhesives, sealants, luting agents or cements, denture base materials, orthodontic materials and sealants, and other dental restorative materials.

Abstract: A composition is disclosed comprising a polymerizable (meth)acrylate of the structure: wherein A is an anhydride; a is 0 or 1; n is 0, 1, 2, or 3; R1, R2, R3, and R4 are each independently hydrogen, hydroxy, C1-C12 alkyl, C1-C12 perhaloalkyl, C1-C12 alkoxy, C1-C12 perhaloalkoxy, C2-C12 alkenyl, C2-C12 alkynyl, (C1-C6 alkyl)-O-(C1-C6 alkylene), or hydroxy(C1-C6 alkylene); x and y are each independently an integer of 1 to 10; z is an integer of 1 to 5; R5 is hydrogen or methyl; M is wherein G and J are each independently O or NR6, wherein R6 is hydrogen or C1-C6 alkyl; m is 1, 2, 3, or 4; W is an organic group having the valency of z+1; and q is 0 or 1; and further wherein when a is 1, n+m+q is 1, 2, 3, or 4, and when a is 0, n+m+q is 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6. The composition finds use as a dental resin.

Abstract: A device for verifying the shade of a patient's teeth for the fabrication of a dental restorative comprising a mold section and a section for holding a shade tab, both of which are disposed on the shaft or rod of the device. A shade tab is formed in the mold section by applying composite material in the mold and curing it. The composite material is selected by the dentist based on the shade of the patient's teeth. After the composite material is cured, the resultant shade tab is removed from the mold and placed in the holder for the shade tab. This enables a dentist to effectively match the shade of a patient's teeth in order to provide a restoration that matches the patient's teeth.

Abstract: A dental filling material comprising an inner core and outer layer of material disposed and surrounding the inner core, both the inner core and outer layer of material each containing a thermoplastic polymer. The thermoplastic polymer may be biodegradable. A bioactive substance may also be included in the filling material. The thermoplastic polymer acts as a matrix for the bioactive substance. The composition may include other polymeric resins, fillers, plasticizers and other additives typically used in dental materials. The filling material is used for the filing of root canals.

Abstract: A dental filling material comprising a thermoplastic polymer. The thermoplastic polymer may be biodegradable. A bioactive substance may also be included in the filling material. The thermoplastic polymer acts as a matrix for the bioactive substance. The composition may include other polymeric resins, fillers, plasticizers and other additives typically used in dental materials. The filling material is used for the filing of root canals.

Abstract: A dental composite material that comprises a polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane is disclosed. The dental composite material is useful for a variety of dental materials, treatments, and restorative functions including crown and bridge materials, fillings, adhesives, sealants, luting agents or cements, denture base materials, orthodontic materials and sealants, and other dental restorative materials.

Abstract: An endodontic post comprising a combined endodontic post and filling material tip in a single unit. To use the post unit, the device is placed in an oven or heater to heat and soften the thermoplastic material. The device will then be placed in a root canal that has been opened to a predetermined dimension by use of endodontic files, to seal the apical end. If necessary, the gutta percha can be compacted toward the apex, while it is still in the softened state, to ensure the apex is adequately sealed. The post is then cemented into place by lining the canal walls with a bonding agent and filling the interface between the post and the walls of the canal with a dual cure resin cement. This will result in a coronal seal of the canal via resin restorative material and an apical seal of the canal by means of gutta percha and sealant. The remaining portion of the post, extending supra-gingivally, will be used to build a core around it. Any excess will be cut off.

Abstract: Method of manufacturing dental restorations using curable compositions including degradable macromonomers having one or more terminal acrylate or methacrylate functionality, a curing composition, a filler composition including bioactive particles of bioactive glass, bioactive glass-ceramics, calcium phosphates, calcium apatites, or mixtures thereof and optionally one or more polymerizable acrylate or methacrylate comonomers. Degradable macromonomers are manufactured from cyclic monomers with compounds having acrylate or methacrylate functionality. Depending on their use, the degradable macromonomer compositions further include one or more organic or inorganic fillers, including a calcium-based compound and/or a radiopacity-imparting agent. The compositions are particularly suitable for root canal sealants, implants, bone cements, and pulp capping materials.

Abstract: A ceramic tape is provided in its green state so that it is malleable and formable to a mold for forming a dental restoration, but will not break or crack as it is applied to the mold. Pressure may be applied to further form or adapt the ceramic tape to the shape of the mold. Heat is applied simultaneously with pressure or in a separate step to achieve high density and strength in the ceramic material. A vacuum atmosphere may be used with the application of pressure and/or heat. One or more layers of surface material such as porcelain or composite resin may be applied to the ceramic to form the dental restoration. The process is useful in the manufacture of dental materials or restorations including but not limited to orthodontic appliances, bridges, space maintainers, tooth replacement appliances, splints, crowns, partial crowns, dentures, posts; teeth, jackets, inlays, onlays, facing, veneers, facets, implants, abutments, cylinders, and connectors.

Abstract: A low shrinkage, polymerizable oligomer comprises units of the structure:

Abstract: Method of the making dental restorations having photo-initiated polymerizable dental compositions. The method comprises preheating a dental restoration precursor of a defined shape or anatomy in a temperature range from about 65°-120° C. for a length of time for the temperature to reach a temperature equilibrium. The time preferably ranges from about 1 minute to 30 minutes. Thereafter, the dental composition is light cured to polymerize the dental restoration. The restoration produced through this process will have at least 10% or higher strength than the dental restorations made by conventional methods.

Abstract: A single-component composition for repairing, protecting or sealing teeth comprising a polymerizable resin, a flavoring agent, wherein the flavoring agent is a non-oil containing natural flavoring agent, or an artificial flavoring agent, an ultraviolet light absorber, a curing system, and optionally a filler.

Abstract: A dental resin composition is disclosed, comprising a polycarbonate-modified diphenoxy diacrylate having a monomer structure (I): wherein R is CH3 or H; b is one or zero; A is (CH2)nO; n is an integer from 1 to 10, preferably from 1 to 5; X is an alkoxy or cycloalkoxy group having from one to six carbon atoms, for example, 2,2-propylene or —CH2—, or —S— or —O—; i is 1 or 0; and wherein M is —(C1-10 alkyl)O—, —(CH2)pO—, or —CH(CH3)CH2O—, m is an integer from 1 to 10, and p is an integer from 1 to 4. Preferably, R is methyl. The composition and described filler material are suitable for use in dental restorations, and provide improved wear resistance and other properties.

Abstract: Curable compositions comprising degradable macromonomers having one or more terminal acrylate or methacrylate functionality, a curing composition, a filler composition comprising bioactive particles of bioactive glass, bioactive glass-ceramics, calcium phosphates, calcium apatites, or mixtures thereof and optionally one or more polymerizable acrylate or methacrylate comonomers. Degradable macromonomers are manufactured from cyclic monomers with compounds having acrylate or methacrylate functionality. Depending on their use, the degradable macromonomer compositions further comprise one or more organic or inorganic fillers, including a calcium-based compound and/or a radiopacity-imparting agent. The compositions are particularly suitable for root canal sealants, implants, bone cements, and pulp capping materials.

Abstract: A dental restorative composition comprises about 35 to about 43 wt %, based on the total dental restorative composition, of a polymerizable, ethylenically unsaturated resin composition, wherein the resin composition comprises, based on the resin composition alone, about 25 to about 35 wt % PCDMA, about 40 to about 50 wt % EBP-DMA, about 18 to about 28 wt % Bis-GMA, and about 55 to about 70 wt %, based on the total dental restorative composition, of a filler system, wherein the filler system comprises a silanized barium glass containing about 20 to about 60 wt % barium oxide based on the weight of silanized barium glass. Such dental restorative compositions display an ability to flow under ambient conditions and this increases their utility where improved flexural strength and ease of application is desired.

Abstract: A gel composition for use in etching the surfaces of teeth in preparation for prophylaxis, repair, or restoration, comprising an aqueous solution of an effective quantity of an acid; and a colloidal silica sol, wherein the silica portion of the sol comprises from about 3 to about 20 weight percent of the total etchant composition.

Abstract: A filler for a dental resin composition is disclosed, comprising silica particles derived from a nanoparticulate silica sol, the filler material having at least one crystalline phase. The filler material provides improved wear resistance and other properties.