Abstract: A method of thermoforming is described. The method comprises providing a multilayer polymer film comprising at least one first thermoplastic polymer layer having a glass transition temperature (Tg) greater than 60° C. and at least one second polymer layer; and thermoforming the multilayer polymer film into a three-dimensional shape. The second polymer layer can be characterized by one or more properties selected from i) a Tg ranging from 20 to 70° C.; ii) a molecular weight between crosslinks of no greater than 20,000 g/mole; and iii) sufficient crosslinking such that the second polymer layer lacks a thermal melt or softening transition at a temperature up to the decomposition temperature of the second polymer layer. Also described are multilayer films and articles, such as orthodontic aligner and retainer trays.

Abstract: A transfer article includes an acrylate layer releasable from a release layer including a metal layer, a metal oxide layer, or a doped semiconductor layer at a release value of from 2 to 50 grams/inch (0.8 to 20 g/cm). A functional layer overlies the acrylate layer, wherein the functional layer includes at least one layer of a functional material selected to provide at least one of a therapeutic, aesthetic or cosmetic benefit on a dental appliance in a mouth of a patient, and wherein the transfer article has a thickness of less than 3 micrometers. A pattern of a transfer material is on a major surface of the functional layer, wherein the transfer material includes an adhesion modifying material chosen from release materials and adhesives.

Abstract: A method for making a dental appliance configured to position at least one tooth of a patient includes printing a hardenable liquid resin composition on a major surface of a polymeric material to form a pattern of discrete unhardened liquid regions thereon; at least partially hardening the unhardened liquid regions to form a corresponding array of structures on the major surface of the polymeric material, wherein the structures have a characteristic cross-sectional dimension of about 25 microns to about 1 mm, and a feature spacing of about 100 microns to about 2000 microns; and forming a plurality of cavities in the polymeric material to form the dental appliance including an arrangement of cavities configured to receive one or more teeth.

Abstract: A method for making a dental appliance configured to position at least one tooth of a patient includes printing a hardenable liquid resin composition on a major surface of a polymeric material to form a pattern thereon, wherein the hardenable liquid resin composition includes a glass ionomer, a resin modified glass ionomer, and mixtures and combinations thereof. A dental appliance is formed from the polymeric material that includes an arrangement of cavities configured to receive one or more teeth.

Abstract: A transfer article with a thickness of less than 3 micrometers includes a first acrylate layer that is releasable from a metal or doped semiconductor release layer at a release value of from 2 to 50 grams/inch. The article includes a functional layer overlaying the first acrylate layer. The functional layer includes at least one microfractured inorganic layer about 3 nanometers to about 200 nanometers thick, which has a plurality of toolmarks interspersed with cracks.

Abstract: A dental appliance includes a polymeric shell with an arrangement of one or more cavities configured to receive one or more teeth, and the polymeric shell includes an antimicrobial lipid, such as monolaurin, and optionally an enhancer.

Abstract: A dental appliance for positioning a patients teeth includes a polymeric shell with a plurality of cavities for receiving one or more teeth. The polymeric shell includes at least 3 alternating polymeric layers AB, wherein layer A includes a thermoplastic polymer A, layer B includes a thermoplastic polymer B, and the thermoplastic polymer B is different from the thermoplastic polymer A. Each of the thermoplastic polymers A and B have a flexural modulus of about 1.0 GPa to about 4.0 GPa; and each of the thermoplastic polymers A and B have a glass transition temperature (Tg) greater than about 40° C.

Abstract: A dental appliance is described, the dental appliance including a polymeric substrate with a plurality of cavities for receiving one or more teeth, an arrangement of engineered microstructures on the substrate wherein the engineered microstructures include a therapeutic agent. The microstructures may be three-dimensionally engineered on a polymeric film disposed on a major surface of the polymeric substrate, wherein the microstructures extend outwards from the surface. The microstructures also comprise a compound releasable from the three-dimensionally engineered microstructures over a predetermined patient wear time.

Abstract: A dental appliance includes a polymeric shell with a first major surface having a plurality of cavities for receiving one or more teeth, and a layer of a metal oxide MOx on the first major surface.

Abstract: A dental article includes a shell defining a volume, the shell including a circumferential base and an incisal/occlusal region distal from the circumferential base. A hardenable dental composition is located within the volume of the shell, and an isolation film is located at the circumferential base of the shell.

Abstract: Methods of using a dental composition having a photobleachable dye and an acidic component with a pKa of less than 4.5 are disclosed. The photobleachable dye is selected from the group consisting of aminoanthraquinone dyes, azo dyes, and combinations thereof. The aged color of the dental composition is substantially the same as the color of the dental composition immediately after hardening.

Abstract: Dental articles and methods of using same. The dental article (510) includes a shell defining a volume, the shell (512) comprising a circumferential base (514) and an incisal/occlusal region (516) distal from the circumferential base. The dental article (510) further includes a hardenable dental composition (518) located within the volume, and an isolation film (520) located at the circumferential base of the shell.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a metal based dental article and a method of forming the metal based dental article. The metal based dental article includes a base layer, a first coating on the base layer and a second coating on the first coating. The base layer is formed from a metal substrate selected from the group consisting of a stainless steel, a titanium alloy or a nickel titanium alloy. The first coating is formed from a metal selected from the group consisting of nickel, a nickel alloy, copper, a copper alloy, zinc, a zinc alloy, tin, a tin alloy, gold or a gold alloy, where one of the first coating or the surface of the base layer has a surface roughness (Ra) from 0.1 to 1.0 microns as measured according to ASTM B46.1-2009. The second coating is formed from a metal selected from the group consisting of rhodium, a rhodium alloy, ruthenium, a ruthenium alloy, cobalt, a cobalt alloy, palladium, or a palladium alloy.

Abstract: Provided are methods of improving the wear resistance and aesthetic properties of dental articles though use of spherical microparticles, as well as dental articles having an abrasion resistant spherical microparticle/polymer coating thereon.

Abstract: The present invention is generally related to a product and process to reduce the microbial contamination on organic matter, such as processed meat, fruits and vegetables, plant parts, inanimate surfaces such as textiles and stainless steel, and in the mouth or on dental products. In particular, the invention is related to a product and process to disinfect surfaces using an antimicrobial composition containing an antimicrobial lipid, an enhancer selected from the group consisting of bacteriocins, antimicrobial enzymes, sugars, sugar alcohols, iron-binding proteins and derivatives thereof, siderophores, and combinations thereof, and optionally a surfactant.

Abstract: Provided are methods of improving the wear resistance and aesthetic properties of dental articles though use of ceramics and microparticles, as well as dental articles having an abrasion resistant microparticle and ceramic coating thereon.

Abstract: Dental compositions are provided comprising a compound of Formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof: wherein n is an integer from about 2 to about 5.

Abstract: Dental compositions are provided comprising a compound of Formula I or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof: wherein n is an integer from about 2 to about 5.

Abstract: Provided are methods of improving the wear resistance and aesthetic properties of dental articles though use of spherical microparticles, as well as dental articles having an abrasion resistant spherical microparticle/polymer coating thereon.

Abstract: Provided are methods of improving the wear resistance and aesthetic properties of dental articles, as well as dental articles having an abrasion resistant ceramic/polymer hybrid coating thereon.