Abstract: Polymerizable composition that include: (a) a cationically active functional group; (b) an initiation system capable of initiating cationic polymerization of the cationically active functional group; and (c) a filler composition that includes various radiopacifying fillers in an amount sufficient to render the polymerizable composition radiopaque. Components (a), (b), and (c) are selected such that the polymerizable composition polymerizes to form a polymerized composition having a Barcol hardness, measured using a GYZJ-935 meter, of at least 10 within 30 minutes following initiation of the cationically active functional group are a reaction temperature of 25° C.

Abstract: Polymerizable compositions that include: (a) a cationically active functional group; (b) an initiation system capable of initiating cationic polymerization of the cationically active functional group; and (c) a filler composition that includes various radiopacifying fillers in an amount sufficient to render the polymerizable composition radiopaque. Components (a), (b), and (c) are selected such that the polymerizable composition polymerizes to form a polymerized composition having a Barcol hardness, measured using a GYZJ-935 meter, of at least 10 within 30 minutes following initiation of the cationically active functional group at a reaction temperature of 25° C.

Abstract: Photopolymerizable compositions that include free radically active and cationically active functional groups, and methods for polymerizing such compositions, in which the onset of cationic polymerization is controllably delayed to extend the time between formation of a moldable gel and formation of a hardened solid.

Abstract: Photocurable, addition polymerizable compositions contain an epoxy resin and a photoinitiator system containing (a) an epoxy resin, (b) a hydroxyl containing material and (c) a photoinitiator system comprising: (i) an iodonium salt; (ii) a visible light sensitizer; and (iii) an electron donor compound, wherein the photoinitiator system has a photoinduced potential of at least about 100 mV relative to a standard solution of 2.9×10−5 moles/g diphenyl iodonium hexafluoroantimonate and 1.5×10−5 moles/g camphorquinone in 2-butanone. The compositions cure on exposure to light in the visible spectrum and are useful in a variety of applications, including dental adhesives and composites.

Abstract: In a first aspect, a method for treating hard tissue that includes: (a) applying to hard tissue a composition that includes a cationically active functional group, a free radically active functional group, and a polymerization initiator capable of initiating free radical polymerization, where the number of moles of cationically active functional groups per gram of composition is no greater than about 0.0075; and (b) exposing the composition to polymerization conditions to form an adhesive bonded to the hard tissue.

Abstract: Photocurable, addition polymerizable compositions contain an epoxy resin and a photoinitiator system containing (a) an epoxy resin and (b) a photoinitiator system comprising: (i) an iodonium salt; (ii) a visible light sensitizer; and (iii) an electron donor compound, wherein the photoinitiator system has a photoinduced potential of at least about 0 mV relative to a standard solution of 2.9.times.10.sup.-5 moles/g diphenyl iodonium hexafluoroantimonate and 1.5.times.10.sup.-5 moles/g camphorquinone in 2-butanone. The compositions cure on exposure to light in the visible spectrum and are useful in a variety of applications, including dental adhesives and composites.

Abstract: Photocurable, addition polymerizable compositions contain an epoxy resin and a photoinitiator system containing (a) an epoxy resin and (b) a photoinitiator system comprising: (i) an iodonium salt; (ii) a visible light sensitizer; and (iii) an electron donor compound, wherein the photoinitiator system has a photoinduced potential of at least about 0 mV relative to a standard solution of 2.9.times.10.sup.-5 moles/g diphenyl iodonium hexafluoroantimonate and 1.5.times.10.sup.-5 moles/g camphorquinone in 2-butanone. The compositions cure on exposure to light in the visible spectrum and are useful in a variety of applications, including dental adhesives and composites.

Abstract: Photocurable, addition polymerizable compositions contain an epoxy resin and a photoinitiator system containing (a) an epoxy resin, (b) a hydroxyl containing material and (c) a photoinitiator system comprising: (i) an iodonium salt; (ii) a visible light sensitizer; and (iii) an electron donor compound, wherein the photoinitiator system has a photoinduced potential of at least about 100 mV relative to a standard solution of 2.9.times.10.sup.-5 moles/g diphenyl iodonium hexafluoroantimonate and 1.5.times.10.sup.-5 moles/g camphorquinone in 2-butanone. The compositions cure on exposure to light in the visible spectrum and are useful in a variety of applications, including dental adhesives and composites.

Abstract: In a first aspect, a method for treating hard tissue that includes: (a) applying to hard tissue a composition that includes a cationically active functional group, a free radically active functional group, and a polymerization initiator capable of initiating free radical polymerization, where the number of moles of cationically active functional groups per gram of composition is no greater than about 0.0075; and (b) exposing the composition to polymerization conditions to form an adhesive bonded to the hard tissue.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of luting a provisional prosthetic device to tooth structure using glass ionomer cement systems having reduced bulk shear adhesion. The invention also provides a kit for luting a prosthetic device to tooth structure. The kit contains at least three containers of glass ionomer luting cement compositions. The kit advantageously can be utilized for providing both a provisional and a permanent luting cement depending upon which components are admixed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a packaged element containing a) a substrate that transmits less than about 0.5% of actinic radiation and has at least one recess, b) a cover that transmits less than about 0.5% of actinic radiation and transmits at least part of the visible light spectrum, c) a structure for maintaining the cover in contact with the substrate such that the cover filters incident radiation entering the recess, and d) an element located in the recess and having a substance thereon that is curable by exposure to the actinic radiation. Also disclosed is an article containing a) a substrate having at least one recess with an interior surface, b) an element having a tacky substance on a surface thereof, and c) a structure for positioning the element inside the recess such that the tacky substance does not separate from the element upon removal from the recess.

Abstract: A package includes a) a tray that transmits less than about 0.5% of selective actinic radiation and having a top surface and at least two recesses in the top surface, each recess adapted to hold a light-curable material, b) a rigid plate covering the recesses that transmits less than about 0.5% of actinic radiation and transmits at least part of the visible light spectrum, such that the plate is sufficiently transparent to permit viewing inside the recesses, c) an arrangement for maintaining the plate in contact with the top surface of the tray to permit the plate to slide relative to the tray and filter incident radiation entering the recess, and d) a light-curable material in at least one of the recesses, that is curable upon removal of the rigid plate and exposure to sufficient actinic radiation.

Abstract: A polymerizable, storage-stable adhesive for adhesive precoated orthodontic appliances includes sufficient EBDA to impart to the adhesive a viscosity that will retain an orthodontic bracket in place on a vertical tooth surface during polymerization of the adhesive.

Abstract: Orthodontic adhesive is cooled below ambient temperature in order to facilitate applying the adhesive to the base of an orthodontic appliance. The adhesive is placed on a carrier and formed into a certain shape on the carrier, and then released from the carrier while cool. In one embodiment, a quantity of adhesive is placed on the base of the appliance, and the appliance is then moved to a cut-off die while the adhesive remains cool and relatively brittle; next, a stream of pressurized air fractures and removes excess adhesive from the appliance base.

Abstract: A packaged dental article includes a dental appliance that is precoated with an adhesive. The adhesive is in contact with a flexible film having a low adhesion surface. The film is secured to a container at a location spaced from the appliance so that the film tends to peel away from the adhesive when the appliance is removed from the container in order to inhibit separation of the adhesive from the appliance. The container has a sidewall with a recess that engages a carrier to hold the container, and the carrier is flexible to permit the container to be inserted into or released from the carrier when desired.

Abstract: A polymerizable, storage-stable adhesive for adhesive precoated orthodontic appliances includes sufficient EBDA to impart to the adhesive a viscosity that will retain an orthodontic bracket in place on a vertical tooth surface during polymerization of the adhesive.

Abstract: An article includs a) a tray having at least two holes; b) at least two substrates each having a top surface and a single well opening only at the top surface and being removably retained in one of the holes in the tray; c) a lid releasably attached to the top surface so as to cover the well opening in a manner such that the substrate is removable from the hole with the lid attached to the top surface thereof; d) an orthodontic appliance having a tacky substance on an exterior surface thereof that is positioned in the well such that the tacky substance does not separate from the appliance upon removal from the well.

Abstract: A packaged dental article includes a dental appliance that is precoated with an adhesive. The adhesive is in contact with a flexible film having a low adhesion surface. The film is secured to a container at a location spaced from the appliance so that the film tends to peel away from the adhesive when the appliance is removed from the container in order to inhibit separation of the adhesive from the appliance. The container has a sidewall with a recess that engages a carrier to hold the container, and the carrier is flexible to permit the container to be inserted into or released from the carrier when desired.

Abstract: Disclosed is a packaged element containing a) a substrate that transmits less than about 0.5% of actinic radiation and has at least one recess, b) a cover that transmits less than about 0.5% of actinic radiation and transmits at least part of the visible light spectrum, c) a structure for maintaining the cover in contact with the substrate such that the cover filters incident radiation entering the recess, and d) an element located in the recess and having a substance thereon that is curable by exposure to the actinic radiation. Also disclosed is an article containing a) a substrate having at least one recess with an interior surface, b) an element having a tacky substance on a surface thereof, and c) a structure for positioning the element inside the recess such that the tacky substance does not separate from the element upon removal from the recess.

Abstract: Metal dental articles with a layer of exogenous inorganic oxide thereon, and a method of applying such a layer, which method involves heating a coating of a coupling agent for a temperature and for a time sufficient to convert the coating to a layer of exogenous inorganic oxide.