Abstract: Orthodontic adhesives and packaged articles including an orthodontic appliance having a base for bonding the appliance to a tooth are disclosed. In the packaged articles, an adhesive is on the base of the appliance, and a container at least partially surrounds the orthodontic appliance having adhesive on the base thereof.

Abstract: Containers for photocurable materials are made of a polymer and metallic particles. The containers are particularly useful for storing materials having dyes that are highly sensitive to light. The containers are especially useful for storing dental materials such as orthodontic adhesives, including adhesives in syringes and cartridges as well as adhesives that are precoated onto the base of an orthodontic appliance.

Abstract: Orthodontic adhesives and packaged articles including an orthodontic appliance having a base for bonding the appliance to a tooth are disclosed. In the packaged articles, an adhesive is on the base of the appliance, and a container at least partially surrounds the orthodontic appliance having adhesive on the base thereof.

Abstract: Articles including an orthodontic bracket having a base for bonding the bracket to a tooth are disclosed. A first part of an at least two-part adhesive is on the base of the bracket and a release substrate is in contact with the adhesive.

Abstract: Disclosed is a composite material comprising a matrix material comprising a microwave transmissive polymer; and from about 1 to 65 volume percent of a particulate filler dispersed in the matrix. This particulate filler is characterized by an electrically conductive coating on the filler particles, particles selected from spheroids and ellipsoids having a major dimension below about 0.5 mm and particles having an aspect ratio greater than about 2 to 1 having a minor dimension below 100 &mgr;m, and a combination of particle size and coating thickness sufficient to yield a combination of a composite material dielectric constant between about 1.2 to 100, and a composite material microwave loss tangent no greater than about 0.10 at 1 GHz.

Abstract: A syringe assembly for applying a bonding agent to an inner surface of an orthodontic band includes a syringe and a hollow dispensing tip. The dispensing tip is detachably coupled to the syringe and is discarded after each patient, so that the risk of cross-contamination is substantially reduced. The dispensing tip provides a convenient extension of the syringe and facilitates application of the bonding agent in a continuous ribbon directly onto an inner surface of the orthodontic band without the use of an auxiliary hand instrument such as a spatula or the like.

Abstract: A release substrate is releasably placed across a layer of adhesive that has been coated onto the base of an orthodontic appliance such as an orthodontic bracket. The release substrate enhances separation from the adhesive coated on the appliance such that the shape of the adhesive is essentially undisturbed and preferably substantially all of the adhesive remains on the base of the appliance when the substrate is detached from the adhesive. The release substrate is particularly suitable for use with adhesives that have a relatively low viscosity, adhesives that are more tacky and/or adhesives that have less cohesive strength than adhesives conventionally used with precoated orthodontic appliances.

Abstract: Electromagnetic and electrical apparatuses use a laminate structure having a thermoplastic elastomer with variable dielectric loss as a dielectric layer. A conductive layer laminated to the thermoplastic elastomer allow use for applications such as printed circuit boards and slot antennas. Additional conductive and dielectric layers still allow use as a printed circuit board as well as other antenna structures. Some embodiments of the apparatuses disclosed exhibit many desired properties, such as flexibility, conformability and weatherability.

Abstract: A cartridge for delivery of aqueous paste dental materials is provided, wherein the cartridge comprises a cartridge body made from an injection moldable material comprising polyolefin polymers. The cartridge body having a Moisture Permeability less than 25 g mil/m.sup.2 day atm. and an Oxygen Permeability greater than 180 cm.sup.3 mil/m.sup.2 day atm. The cartridge body comprises at least one chamber adapted for holding and simultaneously dispensing an aqueous paste dental material. The cartridge has a polymerizable aqueous paste dental material contained within the chamber of the cartridge body, and the cartridge is specially adapted to be mounted in a hand-held ejector-type gun.