Abstract: A method of controlled curing by a metathesis reaction upon mixing its components, the method including the step of mixing an olefin-containing substrate, a metathesis catalyst, and a reaction control agent. The metathesis catalyst is a ruthenium or osmium carbene complex catalyst, such as one containing an alkylidene ligand with basicity higher than that of tricyclohexylphosphine (PCy3) and a neutral electron donor ligand with a basicity lower than that of PCy3, whereby the catalyst initiates the metathesis reaction of the composition upon mixing with the substrate. The reaction control agent is effective to slow the progress of the metathesis reaction and prevent its completion in the absence of an elevated temperature. The control agent may be a hydrocarbon containing carbon-carbon double bonds and/or triple bonds, or maybe a modified hydrocarbon with one or more Group 14 or 15 atoms.

Abstract: One-part and two-part compositions curable by a metathesis reaction comprising a resin containing a substrate with at least two cycloolefin groups per molecule curable by a metathesis reaction with a metathesis catalyst. These compositions may optionally contain a reaction control agent for slowing the progress of the metathesis reaction. The metathesis catalyst can be a ruthenium carbene complex catalyst. The substrate may be, for example, a difunctional or trifunctional carboxylate ester containing norbornenyl end groups.

Abstract: A dental composition comprising a silver-containing ceramic having antimicrobial and color stabilizing properties and methods for using the composition. The composition comprises a silver-containing glass powder or a silver-containing zeolite powder, at least one monomer having at least one ethylenically unsaturated group, and a polymerization initiator system. Other components, such as a filler, may also be included. The inventive composition possesses antimicrobial properties and exhibits excellent mechanical properties upon curing. Additionally, when the polymerization initiator is a two-part redox initiator system, the composition has improved color stability. The inventive composition can be used as a dental restorative composition, an endodontic composition, an orthodontic composition, and/or a prosthetic composition.

Abstract: A dental composition comprising a silver-containing ceramic having antimicrobial and color stabilizing properties and methods for using the composition. The composition comprises a silver-containing glass powder or a silver-containing zeolite powder, at least one monomer having at least one ethylenically unsaturated group, and a polymerization initiator system. Other components, such as a filler, may also be included. The inventive composition possesses antimicrobial properties and exhibits excellent mechanical properties upon curing. Additionally, when the polymerization initiator is a two-part redox initiator system, the composition has improved color stability. The inventive composition can be used as a dental restorative composition, an endodontic composition, an orthodontic composition, and/or a prosthetic composition.

Abstract: A dental shade lamp for visually comparing a dental shade to a natural tooth comprises a housing having an aperture formed through the housing and a light source for illuminating the dental shade and natural tooth. The aperture provides an unobstructed view of the dental shade and natural tooth while maintaining the shade lamp in close proximity to the dental shade and natural tooth. The light source may be fluorescent light bulbs positioned adjacent the aperture that emit light having a color temperature of greater than about 6,000 K, to more closely approximate natural light conditions, and an illuminance intensity of greater than about 75 foot-candles, to limit the effects from ambient lighting conditions. In this way, a more accurate visual comparison can be made resulting in an accurate match between prosthetic teeth and natural teeth.

Abstract: The invention relates to light-generating instruments, which are small, compact and convenient to use. More particularly, the light-generating instruments are generally powered by air, electricity, or light provided by the operating unit, such as the dental chair. Air, electricity, and light provided by the dentist's chair allow for convenience to the dentist while eliminating potential risks and hazards associated with use of an electrical cord to power the instrument.

Abstract: A dental composite having high filler loading and low shrinkage thereby providing good strength and marginal integrity. Through the use of prepolymerized filler particles in combination with a structural filler and a nanofiller, the composite exhibits very low shrinkage and is useful in stress bearing restorations and in cosmetic restorations. The structural filler used is ground to a mean particle size of less than 0.5 ?m and the nanofiller has discrete particles of a mean particle size less than 100 nm to improve handling and mechanical characteristics. The prepolymerized filler particles also allow for less viscosity and better handling characteristics of the composite.

Abstract: A polymerizable composition including a resin system comprising oligomers or polymers functionalized with groups curable by ring opening metathesis polymerization, a metathesis catalyst, and a catalyst accelerator. In examples of the present invention, the composition includes a ruthenium carbene complex catalyst capable of initiating ring-opening metathesis polymerization of the composition and a silicone-based sulfosuccinate salt capable of accelerating the polymerization initiated by the catalyst. In another example, the invention includes a paste/paste system in which a base paste includes the polymerizable oligomer or polymer and the catalyst accelerator and in which a catalyst paste includes the catalyst dissolved in an inert solvent.

Abstract: A method for providing a dental composition comprising providing a paste/paste two-part self-adhering dental composition comprising (a) at least one acidic compound containing at least one acidic moiety selected from the group consisting of where R is an alkyl or aryl group; (b) at least one polymerizable monomer without any acidic group where the polymerizable group is selected from the group consisting of an acrylate, a methacrylate and a vinyl group; (c) at least one finely divided filler; (d) a reducing agent; and (e) an oxidizing agent; and providing instructions for mixing the two pastes immediately prior to application where the ratio of a first paste containing (a) or a higher concentration of (a) to a second paste not containing (a) or containing a lower concentration of (a) is greater than 1:1 (by volume). The method also includes mixing the two pastes and applying the mixed composition to a dental substrate.

Abstract: A delivery system for supplying a single dose quantity of dental impression material. The system includes a dispenser having first and second chambers sized to contain first and second components of the single dose of dental impression material. The chambers are sealed by a closure that is movable from a sealed position to permit dispensing of the components through a mixing tip. The resulting dental impression material may be applied directly to a patient's dental anatomy and/or to a dental tray.

Abstract: A composition curable by a metathesis reaction and comprising an olefin-containing resin system and metathesis catalyst. The resin system comprises siloxane-based oligomers or polymers end-capped and/or tethered with olefin functional groups that are capable of undergoing a metathesis reaction. The composition also includes a ruthenium carbene complex catalyst, whereby the catalyst initiates the metathesis reaction of the composition. The oligomer or polymer may be, for example, one or a combination of a telechelic polydimethylsiloxane end-capped with norbornenylethyl groups, a polydimethylsiloxane tethered and end-capped with norbornenylethyl groups, a tri-functional polydimethylsiloxane end-capped with norbornenylethyl groups, or a quadri-functional polydimethylsiloxane end-capped with norbornenylethyl groups. The catalyst may be, for example, a ruthenium carbene complex, such as 1,3-bis-(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)-2-(imidazolidinylidene) dichloro(o-isopropoxyphenylmethylene) ruthenium.

Abstract: An instrument and method for curing light-curable compounds in the mouth of a patient, the instrument comprising a housing and a plurality of solid state, light-emitting elements on a substrate supported by the housing. The elements form a collective array on the substrate operable for collectively emitting light having wavelengths within a narrow band of wavelengths. An optical focusing device is positioned to intercept the light emitted by the array of elements and includes a non-imaging optical device which is operable for collimating the light from the array into a beam to be directed onto a compound for curing the compound. A disposable sleeve covers the housing and array and may incorporate the optical focusing device. The sleeve is removed and discarded after use to eliminate the need to autoclave the instrument.

Abstract: A composition and a method of use as a dental restorative. A series of highly alkoxylated tri-functional monomers are used as a low viscosity monomer in a photo- or self-curable dental composition that resulted in low polymerization shrinkage. The mechanical strength of the restorative material was not compromised. The restorative composition may be used as a dental filling material, a cement, a liner/base, or an adhesive.

Abstract: A magnification loupe carried by spectacles has a Galilean lens system comprising a single-element eyepiece lens and a two-element objective lens. The loupes may be mounted to eyeglass frames by a flip-up mounting member, or they may be mounted through the eyeglass lenses of the spectacles. The loupes provide high magnification while minimizing weight to thereby reduce strain and discomfort to users. In an exemplary embodiment, the objective lens has a non-circular shape that provides a wide field of view while further minimizing the weight of the loupe. A correction lens may be interchangeably coupled to the loupe housing to permit selective replacement with another correction lens to vary the working distance of the loupe.

Abstract: A composition curable by a metathesis reaction upon mixing its components and comprising an olefin-containing substrate, a metathesis catalyst, and a reaction control agent for slowing the progress of the metathesis reaction. The metathesis catalyst is a ruthenium or osmium carbene complex catalyst having high activity and good air stability. In one embodiment, the catalyst is free of phosphine ligands. The reaction control agent is an organic compound that contains carbon-carbon double and/or triple bonds and one or more Group 14 atoms and is present in an amount effective to slow the progress of the metathesis reaction. In one embodiment, the olefin-containing substrate may comprise one or more oligomers or polymers having a >20 wt. % linear siloxane (Si—O—Si) backbone tethered and/or end-capped with functional olefin groups, such as cycloalkenyl groups.

Abstract: A shelf-stable two-part self-adhering dental composition and method.

Abstract: A method of controlled curing by a metathesis reaction upon mixing its components, the method including the step of mixing an olefin-containing substrate, a metathesis catalyst, and a reaction control agent. The metathesis catalyst is a ruthenium carbene complex catalyst, such as one containing an alkylidene ligand with basicity higher than that of tricyclohexylphosphine (PCy3) and a neutral electron donor ligand with a basicity lower than that of PCy3, whereby the catalyst initiates the metathesis reaction of the composition upon mixing with the substrate. The reaction control agent is effective to slow the progress of the metathesis reaction and prevent its completion in the absence of an elevated temperature. The control agent may be a hydrocarbon containing carbon-carbon double bonds and/or triple bonds, or maybe a modified hydrocarbon with one or more Group 14 or 15 atoms.

Abstract: A composition curable by a metathesis reaction upon mixing its components and comprising an olefin-containing substrate, a metathesis catalyst, and a reaction control agent for slowing the progress of the metathesis reaction. The metathesis catalyst is a ruthenium carbene complex catalyst, such as one containing an alkylidene ligand with basicity higher than that of tricyclohexylphosphine (PCy3) and a neutral electron donor ligand with a basicity lower than that of PCy3, whereby the catalyst initiates the metathesis reaction of the composition upon mixing with the substrate. The reaction control agent is an organic compound that contains carbon-carbon double and/or triple bonds and one or more Group 14 atoms and is present in an amount effective to slow the progress of the metathesis reaction.

Abstract: A sliding bridge eyeglass frame provides salespersons and customers the ability to insure that a proper interpupillary distance between telescope oculars is achieved during a fitting session. The demonstration frame device of the present invention includes first and second bridge portions which are slidably and reversibly fixedly attached to thus allow a customized fitting for particular customers. Once proper interpupillary distances are achieved, the first and second frame members are secured together such that proper dimensions and configurations can be obtained for production of a final product.

Abstract: The invention relates to light-generating instruments, which are small, compact and convenient to use. More particularly, the light-generating instruments are generally powered by air, electricity, or light provided by the operating unit, such as the dental chair. Air, electricity, and light provided by the dentist's chair allow for convenience to the dentist while eliminating potential risks and hazards associated with use of an electrical cord to power the instrument.