Abstract: Orthodontic brackets are adhered to the surface of tooth enamel by activating the surface of an adhesive patch and applying the activated surface to the enamel. The adhesive patch may be preformulated and prefabricated into a solid film sandwiched between easy release protective liners and the film can be applied to the bracket by surface activation as discussed above. The invention also includes removal of the bracket by a deactivation of the surface of the adhesive patch.

Abstract: A sealing material for use in contact with animal tissue such as for sealing a stoma opening. The material is a thermoplastic elastomer made by mixing: (1) at least one part of a high molecular weight, nonvolatile oil with (2) a block copolymer having non-elastomeric thermoplastic end blocks and an elastomeric intermediate block which form separate phases. In one embodiment, the end blocks are polystyrene, the intermediate block is either butadiene or isoprene polymer, and the oil is a hydrocarbon oil. In another embodiment, the end blocks are polyalphamethylstyrene, the intermediate block is polydimethylsiloxane, and the oil is a silicone oil.

Abstract: Dental restorative, pit and fissure sealant compositions having improved environmental resistance include a brominated acrylate such as dibromopropyl methacrylate and/or a diacrylate of the formula: ##STR1## where n is an integer from 1 to 6, R.sup.1 is hydrogen or alkyl of 1 to 6 carbon atoms, R.sup.2 is alkylene of 1 to 5 carbon atoms or ##STR2## WHERE R.sup.3 is hydrogen, alkyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms or --OH and x and y are selected from 0 or an integer from 1 to 4 and Ar is a cyclic group, preferably an aromatic group.

Abstract: A nitrile-containing material is bonded to the surface of a rubber substrate in order to increase the wettability of the surface. A rubber substrate is placed in the afterglow region of an electrodeless glow-discharge chamber. A nitrile-containing material such as an acrylonitrile monomer is introduced into the chamber, causing the monomer to polymerize and bond to the surface of the rubber substrate. In one embodiment, the surface of the rubber is etched with sulfuric acid prior to bonding the nitrile-containing material to the surface.