Abstract: A dental self-adhesive resin cement is provided comprising a two-component system. A first catalyst component includes one or more acidic monomers. A second base component includes one or more basic fillers. The mixture of the first and second components is polymerizable and has an initial pH that is acidic immediately after mixing and a pH of at least about pH 8 after polymerization.

Abstract: A dental self-adhesive resin cement is provided comprising a two-component system. A first catalyst component includes one or more acidic monomers. A second base component includes one or more basic fillers. The mixture of the first and second components is polymerizable and has an initial pH that is acidic immediately after mixing and a pH of at least about pH 8 after polymerization.

Abstract: The present application relates to dental adhesive and restoration compositions comprising benzalkonium chloride, having the general structure C6H5CH2N(CH3)2—R—Cl, and salts thereof in a range between approximately 0.01% and approximately 10% by weight in dental primer, dental adhesive, dental resin, and other dental polymeric compositions or in dental solutions. In particular, it has been shown that dental compositions comprising benzalkonium chloride result in the inhibition of the hydrolytic activity of MMP on the dentin adhesive layer, thereby reducing the degradation of bond strength between a resulting dental restoration and the underlying dental tissue.

Abstract: The present application relates to a polymerizable dental primer/adhesive system comprising a primer component having a relatively hydrophilic monomer component in an amount that renders the system relatively hydrophilic before polymerization of the system and capable of penetrating a prepared dental surface such as etched tooth dentin or enamel, and a multi-functional cross-linking agent in an amount that renders the system relatively hydrophobic after polymerization. A polymerizable hydrophobic monomer component is also included in the primer. The inclusion of said hydrophobic polymerizable monomer and said multi-functional cross-linking agent improves the long term stability or durability of the polymerized primer system to the dental restoration and to the tooth, dentin, enamel and other dental surfaces. An additional hydrophobic resin can also be employed with the primer adhesive system.

Abstract: The present application relates to a dental primer adhesive system that is capable of being used as either a one-step or two-step self-etch dental primer and is compatible with self-cure composites and dual-cure composites with reduced permeability.

Abstract: The present application relates to a polymerizable dental primer/adhesive system comprising a primer component having a relatively hydrophilic monomer component in an amount that renders the system relatively hydrophilic before polymerization of the system and capable of penetrating a prepared dental surface such as etched tooth dentin or enamel, and a multi-functional cross-linking agent in an amount that renders the system relatively hydrophobic after polymerization. A polymerizable hydrophobic monomer component is also included in the primer. The inclusion of said hydrophobic polymerizable monomer and said multi-functional cross-linking agent improves the long term stability or durability of the polymerized primer system to the dental restoration and to the tooth, dentin, enamel and other dental surfaces. An additional hydrophobic resin can also be employed with the primer adhesive system.

Abstract: The present application relates to dental adhesive and restoration compositions comprising benzalkonium chloride, having the general structure C6H5CH2N(CH3)2—R—Cl, and salts thereof in a range between approximately 0.01% and approximately 10% by weight in dental primer, dental adhesive, dental resin, and other dental polymeric compositions or in dental solutions. In particular, it has been shown that dental compositions comprising benzalkonium chloride result in the inhibition of the hydrolytic activity of MMP on the dentin adhesive layer, thereby reducing the degradation of bond strength between a resulting dental restoration and the underlying dental tissue.

Abstract: Dental pulp healing lining or capping compositions and methods of using the composition to treat an exposed, nearly exposed, or breached pulp chamber are disclosed herein. Embodiments include dental pulp healing lining or capping compositions comprising a resin portion having at least one hydrophilic monomer component and at least one hydrophobic monomer component and a calcareous material operable to both provide a biological seal and maintain an alkaline pH for extended periods. Further, light curable compositions are disclosed, allowing for improved curing properties, and allowing permanent restorations to be adhered to the sealed tooth without waiting a significant amount of time for the Portland cement portion to cure.

Abstract: The present application relates to a polymerizable dental primer/adhesive system comprising a primer component having a relatively hydrophilic monomer component in an amount that renders the system relatively hydrophilic before polymerization of the system and capable of penetrating a prepared dental surface such as etched tooth dentin or enamel, and a multi-functional cross-linking agent in an amount that renders the system relatively hydrophobic after polymerization. A polymerizable hydrophobic monomer component is also included in the primer. The inclusion of said hydrophobic polymerizable monomer and said multi-functional cross-linking agent improves the long term stability or durability of the polymerized primer system to the dental restoration and to the tooth, dentin, enamel and other dental surfaces. An additional hydrophobic resin can also be employed with the primer adhesive system.

Abstract: The present application relates to a dental primer adhesive system that is capable of being used as either a one-step or two-step self-etch dental primer and is compatible with self-cure composites and dual-cure composites with reduced permeability.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device using a dual damascene process. A first etching barrier film, an insulation film and a second etching barrier film are formed in sequence on a semiconductor substrate having a first metallic wiring therein and are then selectively etched to form a contact hole. A trench is formed by etching first the etching barrier film and insulation film adjacent to the contact hole. After the contact hole is wet-cleaned, the first etching barrier film is etched and (optionally) a reflection-preventing film and a second metallic wiring are formed. Thus, before forming a metallic wiring, photoresist residues and polymer inside the contact hole can be efficiently removed, dissimilarly to conventional methods which may cause defective deposition of metallic materials due to photoresist residues and polymer that may remain inside the contact hole.

Abstract: Dental composite restorations reinforced with one or more fiber structures are disclosed. The fiber structures can have a wide array of shapes and sizes, including rods with circular cross sections, rods with “U” shaped cross sections, rods with “I” shaped cross sections, and fiber mesh structures. The reinforced dental composite restorations are created by incrementally layering and curing composite materials onto the fiber structures. The resulting restorations have significantly improved flexural strength as compared to conventionally prepared composite restoration materials.

Abstract: Multi-wavelength dental light curing guns or devices are disclosed. The multi-wavelength dental light curing guns or devices include a user handle attached to a light source support. A first light source is mounted on the light source support and is operable to project a first light beam of a first wavelength along a first light path, the first wavelength being capable of initiating polymerization of a first photopolymerizable dental composition. A second light source is mounted on the light source support and is operable to emit a second light beam of a second wavelength along a second light path, the second wavelength being capable of initiating polymerization of a second photopolymerizable dental composition different than the first dental composition, wherein the first light path does not intersect the second light path.

Abstract: Dental composition and methods of use are provided, the compositions comprising a multiacrylate compound, an initiator, and an alcohol, wherein no significant storage odor is detected after storage for a significant period of time.

Abstract: A measuring device for calculating sample volumes and changes in sample volumes is disclosed. The device includes a rotatable platform upon which the sample is placed and rotated in increments with an image of the sample being recorded at each rotational position to which the sample is rotated. The recorded images are digitized and outlined such that the outline can be divided into a plurality of parallel slices. The volume of each slice is calculated by calculating the volume of each portion of the slice represented by each image. The portions are then summed to provide the volume of each slice with the volume of each slice then being summed to provide the volume of the total sample. The device further includes a display apparatus to enable an operator to not only view before and after calculated volumes, but to be provided with a graphical display of the shape of the sample both before and after an event which changes the volume of the sample.

Abstract: Polymerizable compositions are described containing colored polymerization indicators which confer a visible color on the unpolymerized compositions. Upon polymerization, the compositions exhibit reduced or eliminated color. The compositions can also change their opacity during polymerization. The compositions provide easy visual differentiation between the unpolymerized compositions and substrates on which the compositions are placed. The compositions are useful in clinical and laboratory applications such as those involving teeth, dental implants, orthodontic materials, artificial teeth and bones.

Abstract: Dental composite compositions, restorative compositions, and methods for their use are provided. The compositions can contain (a) from about 1 to about 35 weight percent of a monomer portion containing at least one monomer having a functional group capable of undergoing polymerization; (b) from about 75 to about 95 weight percent of a filler portion, the filler portion containing at least a spherical filler portion having at least one spherical filler particle component; and (c) from about 0.01 to about 10 weight percent of a polymerization catalyst portion containing at least one catalyst capable of assisting in the polymerization of the functional group of the monomer portion and hardening of the composite after application of the composite to a tooth surface or other dental surface. The spherical filler portion is present in an amount sufficient to reduce shrinkage of the composite after polymerization to about 1.8 percent or less.

Abstract: Novel unsaturated esters for use in dentistry as bonding agents are produced by a reaction of a cyclic dianhydride with unsaturated alcohols. The novel unsaturated ester products have the formula: wherein R2 is H or CH3.

Abstract: Novel unsaturated esters for use in dentistry as bonding agents are produced by a reaction of a cyclic dianhydride with unsaturated alcohols.

Abstract: Dental composite compositions, restorative compositions are provided comprising (a) from about 1 to about 35 weight percent of a monomer portion comprising at least one monomer having a functional group capable of undergoing polymerization; (b) from about 75 to about 95 weight percent of a filler portion, said filler portion comprising at least a spherical filler portion having at least one spherical filler particle component; and (c) from about 0.01 to about 10 weight percent of a polymerization catalyst portion comprising at least one catalyst capable of assisting in the polymerization of said functional group of said monomer portion and hardening of the composite after application of the composite to a tooth surface or other dental surface; wherein said spherical filler portion is present in an amount sufficient to reduce shrinkage of said composite after polymerization to about 1.8 percent or less.