Abstract: Dental resin cement materials having unique handling properties are provided that comprise a) filler, b) polymerizable resin, and c) a polymeric handling modifier that is dispersed in the polymerizable resin at 25° C. and that has a molecular weight of between about 500 and 100,000. Components a) b) and c) are present in an amount effective to achieve a Viscosity vs Shear Rate Curve that fits a power law model of F(x)=AxB. The correlation value of the material to this curve is greater than 0.85 for both the increasing and decreasing shear rate curves, and the value of B is less than about ?0.01. Resin cements are also provided that comprise acid functionality and water, but which do not comprise an acid reactive filler. Such cements may be self etching, thereby avoiding the need to carry out a separate acid etch step.

Abstract: The present invention provides a dental paste, a dental article, methods of making and using the dental paste, and compositions prepared therefrom. In one embodiment, the dental paste includes (a) a filler including porous, non-pyrogenic silica having a silane treated surface and being substantially free of heavy metals and (b) a filler including non-aggregated primary silica particles, with the fillers being dispersed in a hardenable resin.

Abstract: Dental resin cement materials having unique handling properties are provided that comprise a) filler, b) polymerizable resin, and c) a polymeric handling modifier that is dispersed in the polymerizable resin at 25° C. and that has a molecular weight of between about 500 and 100,000. Components a) b) and c) are present in an amount effective to achieve a Viscosity vs Shear Rate Curve that fits a power law model of F(x)=AxB. The correlation value of the material to this curve is greater than 0.85 for both the increasing and decreasing shear rate curves, and the value of B is less than about −0.01.

Abstract: The invention provides for a material comprising(a) a hardenable resin; and (b) a filler comprising (i) clusters of nano-sized particles, the clusters comprising non-beavy metal oxide particles and heavy metal oxides, and being not fully densified particles and (ii) non-agglomerated nano-sized particles selected from the group consisting of non-heavy metal oxide particles, heavy metal oxide particles, and combinations thereof. The material is suitable for use as dental materials.

Abstract: Dental resin cement materials having unique handling properties are provided that comprise a) filler, b) polymerizable resin, and c) a polymeric handling modifier that is dispersed in the polymerizable resin at 25° C. and that has a molecular weight of between about 500 and 100,000. Components a) b) and c) are present in an amount effective to achieve a Viscosity vs Shear Rate Curve that fits a power law model of F(x)=A xB. The correlation value of the material to this curve is greater than 0.85 for both the increasing and decreasing shear rate curves, and the value of B is less than about −0.01. Resin cements are also provided that comprise acid functionality and water, but which do not comprise an acid reactive filler. Such cements may be self etching, thereby avoiding the need to carry out a separate acid etch step.

Abstract: A fiber optic connector including a holder for one ore more optical cables, each optical cable having an optical fiber surrounded by strengthening fibers, both of which are surrounded by at least one polymeric coating layer. The cable is stripped in a layerwise manner such that an area of exposed fiber is succeeded by an area of exposed strengthening fibers, succeeded by an area of coated cable. A visible light curable adhesive is injected into the holder and cured by exposure to visible light for up to about 30 seconds, bonding the optical fiber layers and the holder into a unified structure.

Abstract: A fiber optic connector including a holder for one ore more optical cables, each optical cable having an optical fiber surrounded by strengthening fibers, both of which are surrounded by at least one polymeric coating layer. The cable is stripped in a layerwise manner such that an area of exposed fiber is succeeded by an area of exposed strengthening fibers, succeeded by an area of coated cable. A visible light curable adhesive is injected into the holder and cured by exposure to visible light for up to about 30 seconds, bonding the optical fiber layers and the holder into a unified structure.

Abstract: Dental restoratives comprising BisEMA6 UDMA, BisGMA and optionally TEGDMA are described. These restoratives exhibit excellent properties, including high toughness, low shrinkage, appropriate viscosity, long shelf stability, hardness and high strength.

Abstract: Light sensitive systems comprising a tetra(hydrocarbyl)borate and a dye may be used in the form of a dispersion, with the light sensitive borate and dye in one phase which is dispersed within a second phase.

Abstract: Imaging systems comprising a tetra(hydrocarbyl)borate and a bleachable dye may be rendered desensitizable by the inclusion of a second bleachable dye which absorbs radiation in a different portion of the electromagnetic spectrum than the first bleachable dye.

Abstract: A method for forming an image includes the step of desensitizing a radiation sensitive imaging system comprising a dye and a tetra (hydrocarbyl) borate in a binder by converting the tetra (hydrocarbyl) borate to a compound having fewer than four carbon-to-boron bonds.