Abstract: An 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: An endodontic post comprises a combined endodontic post and tip of filling material such as thermoplastic material in a single unit. Obuturating systems are provided by an endodontic carrier and attached filling material. The post and obturator include a protrusion or depression on the tip section of the device for better attachment of the filling material to the device. Alternatively the post and obuturator are fabricated of a tube having a tunnel extending therethrough into which filling material is injected. The filling material extends out of the apical section of the post and obturator to form a filler cone.

Abstract: A composition is disclosed comprising a polymerizable oxetane-(meth)acrylate of the structure I: wherein R is hydrogen or methyl, R1 is a C1-6 alkyl group, n is 0-3, x is 1-3, y is 1-3, a is zero or one, and A is a linking group having the valency 1+y; and an effective amount of a cure initiator. The composition finds use as a dental resin.

Abstract: An endodontic post comprises a combined endodontic post and tip of filling material such as thermoplastic material in a single unit. Obuturating systems are provided by an endodontic carrier and attached filling material. The post and obturator include a protrusion or depression on the tip section of the device for better attachment of the filling material to the device. Alternatively the post and obuturator are fabricated of a tube having a tunnel extending therethrough into which filling material is injected. The filling material extends out of the apical section of the post and obturator to form a filler cone.

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: 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: 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 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: 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 curable dental restorative composition comprising about 1 to about 90 wt %, based on the total weight of the composition, of a filler component, the filler component comprising about 10 to 100 wt %, based on the total weight of the filler component, of a surface reactive glass component; about 1 to about 50 wt %, based on the total weight of the composition, of water; and about 10 to about 97 wt %, based on the total weight of the composition, of a curable organic component, comprising about 50 to about 99 wt %, based on the total weight of the curable organic component, of an ethylenically unsaturated resin component, about 1 to about 50 wt %, based on the total weight of the curable organic component, of an ethylenically unsaturated phosphoric acid ester; and about 0.01 to about 5 wt % of a curing system.

Abstract: A dental composite material that comprises a polymerizable resin composition; a filler system comprising polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane fillers; and a curing system. 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.