Abstract: A curable silicone dental impression composition is presented, preferably comprising a polyorganohydrogensiloxane having at least one silicon-bonded hydrogen atom; a silicone polymer having at least alkenyl groups; a vinyl siloxane/platinum/palladium catalyst complex; and inorganic fillers and other additives known in the art. The catalyst in accordance with the present invention is a complex of 1,3-divinyltetramethyldisiloxane and hexachloroplatinic acid doped with palladium, and prevents outgassing of hydrogen. The final catalyst complex has a platinum content in the range from about 1.1%-1.2% platinum and 500-600 ppm palladium.

Abstract: A dental resin composition is presented, comprising an ethoxylated bisphenol A dimethacrylate having the formulaCH.sub.2 .dbd.C(CH.sub.3)CO.sub.2 (C.sub.2 H.sub.4 O).sub.x C.sub.6 H.sub.4 C(CH.sub.3) .sub.2 C.sub.6 H.sub.4 (OC.sub.2 H.sub.4).sub.y O.sub.2 CC(CH.sub.3).dbd.CH.sub.2wherein x+y is an integer from 1 to 20, and preferably from 2 to 7, together with a methacrylate oligomer and an optional diluent monomer. The composition is suitable for use for dental fillers adhesives, and the like, and has improved water sorption and excellent wear resistance.

Abstract: A porcelain composition for dental restorations comprising a leucite crystallite phase and a glass matrix phase, wherein the leucite crystallites possess diameters not exceeding about 10 micron. Preferably, the porcelain composition has a maturing temperature from about 750.degree. to about 1050.degree. C. and a coefficient of thermal expansion from about 12.times.10.sup.-6 /.degree. C. to about 17.5.times.10.sup.-6 /.degree. C., and comprises:______________________________________ Component Amount (wt. %) ______________________________________ SiO.sub.2 57-66 Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 7-15 K.sub.2 O 7-15 Na.sub.2 O 7-12 Li.sub.2 O 0.5-3.

Abstract: A reinforced composite material for use in dental restorations such as dental bridges, splints, veneers, and laminate comprising a hybrid woven material formed of glass yarns and synthetic yarns. Suitable synthetic yarns comprise polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester, acrylic fibers, or a combination thereof. The hybrid woven material of the present invention does not fray upon cutting, which greatly enhances ease of preparation of the fiber-reinforced dental restorations.

Abstract: A dental impression composition for use in the preparation of the oral tissue models comprising a dimethicone-based polysiloxane polyester polymer having terminal fluorinated alkoxy substituents such that the fluorine content of the polysiloxane polyester is in the range from about 5% to about 30% by weight, and having the general formula A--?--B--C--!.sub.x --A, wherein x is an integer greater than 1; A is a fluorinated alkoxy group having the formula F.sub.3 C(CF.sub.2).sub.n (CH.sub.2).sub.m O-- wherein n is an integer from 3 to 17 and m is an integer from 2 to 4; B is a diacid; and C is a dimethicone-based polysiloxane copolyol having the formula:Me.sub.3 Si--?--OSiMeR.sup.1 --!--?--OSiMeR.sup.1 --!.sub.o --?--OSiMeR--!.sub.q --OSiMe.sub.3wherein Me is methyl, R is methyl or phenyl, o is an integer in the range from 1 to 19, q is an integer in the range from 0 to 200, and R.sup.1 is a polyoxyalkylene substituent having the formula--(--CH.sub.2).sub.3 --(DO).sub.a (EO).sub.b (FO--).sub.

Abstract: In a polymerizable dental restorative resin composition useful as a dental composite resin and/or a denture/denture base material comprising at least one binder resin, a diluent monomer, at least one filler, optionally, a photopolymerization system comprising an initiator for initiating polymerization of the composite resin upon exposure to visible light and an accelerator, and an initiator for initiating polymerization of the composite resin upon application of heat, the improvement imparting shelf stability and substantially eliminating discoloration is provided comprising the initiator for initiating polymerization upon application of heat having the general formula:R--N.dbd.N--R'wherein R and R' can be the same or different, and are selected from the group consisting of oxygen-free aliphatic, cycloaliphatic, aromatic, and heterocyclic moieties.

Abstract: A two-phase porcelain composition for dental restorations comprising a leucite crystallite phase dispersed in a feldspathic glass matrix, a maturing temperature of from about 750.degree. to about 1050.degree. C. and a coefficient of thermal expansion of from about 12.times.10.sup.-6 /.degree.C. to about 17.5.times.10.sup.-6 /.degree.C., said porcelain composition comprising:______________________________________ Component Amount (wt. %) ______________________________________ SiO.sub.2 57-66 Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 7-15 K.sub.2 O 7-15 Na.sub.2 O 7-12 Li.sub.2 O 0.5-3 CaO 0-3 MgO 0-7 F 0-4 CeO.sub.2 0-1 ______________________________________wherein the leucite crystallites possess diameters not exceeding about 10 microns and represent from about 5 to about 65 weight percent of the two-phase porcelain composition.

Abstract: A dental alloy is provided which is compatible with a wide variety of composites and porcelain compositions. The alloy has a melting range of between about 870.degree. C. and 1230.degree. C. and a coefficient of thermal expansion of between 15.5.times.10.sup.-6 and 17.5.times.10.sup.-6 in/in/.degree. C. when heated from room temperature to 500.degree. C. The alloy contains between one and 85 percent by weight gold, between two and 65 percent by weight of a thermal expansion adjuster, between 0.25 and 34 percent by weight of a strengthener and oxide former, up to about one percent by weight grain refiner, and up to about 0.25 percent by weight deoxidizer.

Abstract: A dental composite cartridge is made of a plastic material molded to define an elongated cylindrical hollow body portion forming a reservoir, and a discharge nozzle portion. A piston is disposed within an open end of the hollow body after the body is filled with dental composite material. The hollow body and the discharge nozzle define a planar end wall which intersects the longitudinal axis of the hollow body at an angle of about 45.degree.. The interior design of the hollow body and its angled planar end wall enables a simple, easy to manufacture and cost-effective piston to be used in the hollow body for discharging dental composite material from the reservoir.

Abstract: A polycarbonate dimethacrylate which is the condensation product of 2 parts of hydroxyalkylmethacrylate of the formula. ##STR1## in which A is C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkylene, and 1 part of a bis(chloroformate) of the formula ##STR2## in which R is C.sub.2 -C.sub.5 alkylene having at least two carbon atoms in its principal chain and n is an integer from 1 to 4, is usable, admixed with a secondary monomer suitable for dental applications, such as BIS-GMA; UDMA or the like, as an adhesive system for dental restorative materials. Particularly useful is the novel condensation product of 2-hydroxyethylmethacrylate and triethylene glycol bis(chloroformate).Dental adhesives containing these components are suitable for application to enamel, pretreated dentin, porcelain and metallic surfaces. The dentin surfaces are pretreated by application of an alcoholic solution of an alkali metal salt of benzene sulfinic acid.

Abstract: A gum-colored dental composite is provided which may be used in class V dental restorations or as a cosmetic coating for the gingival portion of a tooth. A kit is also provided which enables a gum-colored dental composite to be formulated which closely resembles the natural gum coloration of any patient's gums. The dental composite may be used to counter the illusion of long teeth which occurs when a gum line recedes. The dental composite may also be used on other composite resins, porcelains and metals.

Abstract: A dental alloy is provided which is free of palladium, gallium and copper and which is compatible with a wide variety of composites and porcelain compositions. The alloy has a melting range of between about 870.degree. C. and 1230.degree. C. and a coefficient of thermal expansion of between 15.5.times.10.sup.-6 and 17.5.times.10.sup.-6 in/in/.degree. C. when heated from room temperature to 500.degree. C. The alloy contains between about 40 and 80 percent by weight gold, between 5 and 50 percent by weight of thermal expansion adjuster, between two and 15 percent by weight strengthener and oxide former, up to about 1.5 percent by weight grain refiner, and up to about 0.25 percent by weight deoxidizer.

Abstract: A trimodal method of curing dental composite restorative materials involves the use of visible light illumination for the initial curing of the composite resin and a combination of dry heat and vacuum for the complete cure of the composite restorative materials. More specifically, the method for preparing dental restorative materials includes the steps of forming a dental restoration from a composite resin of a type conventionally employed in the dental profession, in which the composite resin includes a photosensitizing system for initiating polymerization of the composite resin upon exposure to visible light, an initiator for initiating polymerization upon application of heat and at least one filler; exposing the thus prepared restoration to a source of visible light to at least partially cure said composite resin and then subjecting the thus prepared restoration to a combination of heat and vacuum to complete polymerization of said complete resin.

Abstract: Porcelain compositions suitable for layers on metal base dental restorations have fusion temperatures of about 800.degree. C. and lower. The compositions may be employed as coatings on titanium and titanium alloy bases since the compositions have thermal expansion values close to those of titanium and its alloys. A bond layer is also provided to improve bonding between the porcelain layers and the restoration base. A method is also provided for forming dental restorations with relatively inexpensive and biocompatible metal bases and low fusing dental porcelains.

Abstract: Porcelain compositions suitable for use as porcelain layers on metal base dental restorations have fusion temperatures of about 800.degree. C. and lower. The compositions may be employed as coatings on titanium and titanium alloy bases since the compositions have thermal expansion values close to those of titanium and its alloys. A method is also provided for forming dental restorations with relatively inexpensive and biocompatible metal bases and low fusing dental porcelains.

Abstract: A polycarbonate dimethacrylate which is the condensation product of 2 parts of hydroxyalkylmethacrylate of the formula ##STR1## in which A is C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkylene, and 1 part of a bis(chloroformate) of the formula ##STR2## in which R is C.sub.2 -C.sub.5 alkylene having at least two carbon atoms in its principal chain and n is an integer from 1 to 4, is usable, admixed with a secondary monomer suitable for dental applications, such as BIS-GMA; PUDMA or the like, as an adhesive system for dental restorative materials. Particularly useful is the novel condensation product of 2-hydroxyethylmethacrylate and triethylene glycol bis(chloroformate).

Abstract: Phosphate-bonded investments and refractory die materials are provided upon which dental porcelains and/or alloy powders can be sintered. Inorganic fillers are mixed with appropriate binders to produce mold materials which exhibit very high thermal expansion properties without exhibiting any large or sudden change in their thermal expansion verse temperature profile. Investments and refractory die materials having thermal expansions of greater than 0.80% in the range of 25.degree.-500.degree. C. are provided by incorporating leucite (KAlSi.sub.2 O.sub.6) or calcium difluoride (CaF.sub.2), or both, as fillers for investments and refractory die materials.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying a dentin conditioning system to a dentin surface of a tooth comprises a deformable container having a sealed ampule disposed therein, which ampule contains a dentin conditioner. The deformable container is deformed to crush the sealed ampule so that the dentin conditioner may be delivered from the deformable container through a dropper tip. Methods of applying a dentin conditioner are also provided as is a dental restoration kit. Methods and apparatus for simultaneously applying dentin conditioners are also provided.

Abstract: A glove box for establishing an inert gas working environment. The glove box has a housing defining a work chamber and a stovepipe section. Flexible glove sections are connected to the housing and can be inserted into the work chamber. A valve is connected to the stovepipe section for exiting gas from the work chamber and stovepipe section. The valve includes a rigid member with a seal connected thereto. The rigid member is biased by elastic members onto the stovepipe section with the seal therebetween.

Abstract: The system comprises a main casting unit and a glove box unit for reworking cast items. The main casting unit has a frame with a casting chamber, a heating element, a vacuum, a supply of inert gas and a rotatable casting arm for spin casting molten material into a mold. The arm is adapted to removably mount a crucible and mold at one end and, an adjustable counterweight at the other end. The heating element can be moved into and out of the path of the arm and is adapted to heat metallic material in the crucible. The main casting unit also has a driver that projects into the chamber for driving the casting arm with reduced wear on seals between the chamber wall and the driver. A safety bar is provided to prevent the arm from spinning except when desired. The main unit also has electrical and gas conduit connectors for connecting the glove box unit to the main unit.