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: 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: 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.

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.