Abstract: An adhesive for bonding polymeric material to both collagen and calcium is provided. The adhesive contains a glutaraldehyde component for bonding to collagen and a monophosphate component for bonding to calcium. It has been found that in bonding polymeric filling materials to teeth that the adhesive substantially reduces microleakage around the filling.

Abstract: Disclosed is a new urethane polyacrylate having at least one terminal isocyanato acrylic pendent radical. Preferably the molecular chain within the acrylate caps has been extended with a polyhydroxy compound just before final end capping with isocyanato acrylic. The isocyanato acrylic is preferably isocyanato ethyl methacrylate and the urethane is diisocyanate capped polyether and the polyether radical is oxyalkylene. The method for producing the urethane polyacrylate involves end capping a polyol with diisocyanate yielding a reaction product with two reactive equivalents of isocyanate and then capping less than all of the isocyanate with a hydroxyacrylate, after which the remaining isocyanate is reacted with polyol to provide chain extension. The chain extending polyol is then capped with a isocyanato acrylic.

Abstract: Dental cements and adhesives are provided which are polymerizable with visible light. Such adhesives may be applied in thinner films than heretofore possible and demonstrate superior physical properties. Processes employing such materials are disclosed wherein the polymerization of the adhesive is accomplished by transmitting visible light through tooth or other structures to effect the adhesion.

Abstract: A mixing and dispensing syringe having a single mixing cylinder loadable at one end with a plurality of different materials to be blended and mixed by static devices, a dispensing nozzel on the opposite end of said cylinder, a piston-like unit axially movable in the cylinder between opposite ends thereof by means of a manually-operable member connected to one end of the unit, whereby, when the unit is positioned nearest the nozzle in the cylinder and the cylinder is loaded with the materials to be mixed, movement of the unit toward the loadable end of the cylinder causes the materials to pass through a mixing device in the unit and into a common chamber or barrel of the syringe to effect partial mixing and when the unit next is moved toward the nozzle by the manual member, the partially mixed materials then pass through the static mixing device in the nozzle and are further mixed incident to being discharged from the syringe.

Abstract: A dental composite carrier and a packaging means for a composite used for posterior restorations in a tooth is provided. The composite carrier comprises a handle having a lever with a jaw on one end, and the package comprises individual incremental portions of composite material contained in ampules, and a number of ampules packaged in a tray. The composite carrier is used to pick an ampule out of the tray, carry it to a tooth, and deliver it into a cavity in the tooth. Optionally, the handle may have a condenser on its opposite end to be used for packing and smoothing the composite in the tooth.

Abstract: A miniature capsule-like cartridge adapted to be operated by being mounted in an ejector holder and including a tubular body of uniform inner diameter open at one end and the other end being closed but having a discharge opening therein, the body containing a complementary piston having an innermost pressure end complementary to the interior of the closed end of the body end and provided with an integral thin cylindrical wall at least precisely complementary in outer diameter to the inner diameter of the tubular body and extending axially away from the pressure end of the piston, the piston being operable by a piston post integral at one end with and extending axially away from the pressure end of the piston and connected to the thin cylindrical sleeve by a reinforcing rib extending integrally therebetween.

Abstract: Novel compositions, especially light curable compositions, are provided which are coherent, but frangible when cured. Preferred compositions comprising a major proportion of inert, preferably inorganic filler material, polymerizable resin and frangibility enhancing material are provided which are light curable. The materials are particularly useful for "temporary" dental fillings and removable endodontic fillings. The cured materials are easily dissected, comminuted and removed as desired after curing without trauma to the filled teeth.

Abstract: This invention pertains to a method and apparatus to fabricate economical dentures for edentulous dental patients comprising attaching full arch unitary upper and lower sets of artificial teeth to denture base material and fabricated by a process developed for the purpose of utilizing these sets of teeth and converting them into finished upper and lower dentures by the use of a specialized apparatus comprising part of the invention. The process eliminates the conventional procedure of mounting individual artificial teeth in the normal process of fabricating dentures. Dentures are also disclosed formed from individual teeth but employing a novel tacking procedure to facilitate alignment and orientation of the teeth.

Abstract: Compositions hardenable by exposure to heat or electromagnetic radiation are provided by dissolving together to form a blend from about 0% to about 50% by weight of an uncrosslinked polymer, from about 2% to about 30% of a polymerizable monomer, from about 10% to about 70% of a crosslinked polymer in the form of discrete particles having average diameters of from 0.001 micron to about 500 microns and being swollen in said solution and from about 20% to about 70% of a crosslinking agent for said monomer. Such compositions exhibit superior chemical and physical characteristics when hardened and are suitable in a wide variety of applications as construction media. Such compositions are especially suitable in the production of prosthetic dental appliances, such as, for example, prosthetic teeth. It is believed that the hardening of such compositions as, for example, during the preparation of dental appliances forms a polymer system known as an interpenetrating polymer network.

Abstract: A tool holder preferably for an ultrasonic endodontic apparatus includes an eccentric member in the holder to secure the butt end of a tool thereon by a camming action during limited rotation of a cam member. The tool holder also includes an irrigating fluid passage located proximate to, but remote from, a tool-receiving bore in the tool holder to direct irrigating fluid onto the tool. An eccentric cam is mounted in a cross-bore within the tool holder, located relative to a tool-receiving bore having a predetermined longitudinal depth, so that a camming action of the eccentric cam longitudinally seats the tool deep in the bore while securing it there by the cam upon limited rotational motion of the cam. The cam includes tool pads for receiving mating surfaces of a bifurcated wrench.

Abstract: A technique by which a denture formed from light-curable plastic material, and including individually positioned artificial teeth, is produced by the use of a custom, substantially U-shaped, matrix formed from an elongated shape of light-curable plastic material which is impressed into and is releasably affixed to the incisal and occlusal surfaces of the teeth when mounted in set-up wax on a model of a patient's gum.

Abstract: By the present invention a dental alloy mixture is provided that is a combination of 20 to 70 percent by weight of cut alloy comprising silver, tin, and copper, with the copper present in an amount of 0 to 30 percent by weight of the cut alloy; and 30 to 80 percent by weight of spherical alloy comprising silver and cooper.

Abstract: A multiple, metered dosage device having an elongated body provided adjacent one end with a compartment or an ampule to contain material to be dispensed, a piston movable against the material to discharge it from a nozzle, a rod-like plunger movable by a pressure device against the piston to discharge material and a combination stop and release unit movable intermediately of the ends of the body between depressed and elevated positions respectively to engage a pair of racks of teeth on the plunger and including first and second teeth respectively engageable with the racks of teeth sequentially to permit the pressure device to advance the plunger and piston in similar metered, precise or predetermined increments of feeding in discharge direction and then stop the feeding movement and maintain such stopped position until the stop and release unit next is depressed.

Abstract: A biologically compatible adhesive that is shelf stable as a single component adhesive and includes a mixture of an adhesive promoting and polymerizable monomer system having a free radical polymerizable monomer or prepolymer having ethylenic unsaturation and a phosphorus containing adhesion promoter, a free radical polymerization catalyst, and an accelerator for the catalyst, the accelerator selected from the group consisting of sulfinic acid or salt thereof, amine or amine salt and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: Methods for the manufacture and repair of dental appliance prostheses are provided comprising providing a shaped metallic underlayment, and plating onto at least a portion of the underlayment a layer of a second metallic species. An amount sufficient substantially to obscure the layer, of a polymerizable opaqueing agent is then applied to the layer. Following polymerization of the opaqueing agent through application of heat or radiant energy, especially visible light, the layer is ideally suited for the application of dental aesthetic veneers or other surfacing materials. In accordance with the preferred embodiment, an adhesion promotion species is employed either in a separate treating step for the second metallic layer or through inclusion thereof in the opaqueing agent.

Abstract: A new type of dental prosthetic facing and a new method of preparation of dental prosthetic facings is disclosed. The dental prosthetic facing is provided with an outer shader layer, an intermediate at least substantially uncolored, translucent layer, and an opaque substructure color keyed with the shader layer to match a shade guide. The opaque substructure may be a metal support with a surface opaquing agent in one species.The dental prosthetic facing may be prepared by removably mounting an intermediate uncolored translucent layer that is a crown on a color keyed opaque substructure that is a dental mount. The dental mount being matched to an opaque dental cement that will mount the finished shaded dental crown.

Abstract: An ophthalmic instrument support having a flat floor-supported base and a cabinet extends upward from one end of the base, a post projects upward from the cabinet and the upper end of the post pivotally engages one end of a horizontal frame upon which a table is mounted for limited horizontal movement to permit a pair of spaced instruments thereon selectively to be brought into alignment with the eyes of a patient when seated in a vertically adjustable chair with the patient's lap extending beneath the horizontal frame. The post is adjustable vertically a limited amount to dispose the table and instruments thereon at a desired vertical position according to a doctor's eyes when the doctor is seated upon another chair opposite a patient.

Abstract: A dental articulator comprising upper and lower bows connected by vertical support members, the upper bow being pivotally connected to the support members for raising and lowering relative to a planar mounting table which is positionable between the bows and parallel to the lower bow, the mounting table having a mounting bar extending perpendicularly from one surface and the mounting table being reversible to dispose a desired surface thereof uppermost and the table also having a supporting pin detachably connected to the forward end thereof for reversible positioning to extend from either surface of the table, and the upper bow also having adjustable pivot means operable selectively to effect lateral movement of the upper bow relative to the table and lower bow when in one position of adjustment but only permit pivotal movement when in a second position.