Abstract: A dental package and a method of making such dental package for holding flowable dental material. The method comprising the steps of providing a container having an opening and providing first portion of a flowable dental material in the container. Further the method comprises hardening a predetermined second portion of the flowable dental material to form a closure that closes the opening. The invention provides for improved manufacturing and for facilitating the use of the package.

Abstract: A dental package and a method of making such dental package for holding flowable dental material. The method comprising the steps of providing a container having an opening and providing first portion of a flowable dental material in the container. Further the method comprises hardening a predetermined second portion of the flowable dental material to form a a closure that closes the opening. The invention provides for improved manufacturing and for facilitating the use of the package.

Abstract: A dental restorative formula selector including a formula matrix is disclosed. The formula matrix includes tooth shade markings and two or more dental restorative formulas correlated to each tooth shade marking. Each dental restorative formula includes at least one dental restorative composition code, and at least one dental restorative formula of the two or more dental restorative formulas provided includes at least two dental restorative composition codes. The dental restorative formula selector may provide a practitioner with multiple dental restorative formula options for restoring teeth using dental restorative compositions.

Abstract: A dental restorative formula selector including a formula matrix is disclosed. The formula matrix includes tooth shade markings and two or more dental restorative formulas correlated to each tooth shade marking. Each dental restorative formula includes at least one dental restorative composition code, and at least one dental restorative formula of the two or more dental restorative formulas provided includes at least two dental restorative composition codes. The dental restorative formula selector may provide a practitioner with multiple dental restorative formula options for restoring teeth using dental restorative compositions.

Abstract: The invention provides a pretreatment method and primer that is applied directly to the hard tissue. The invention has particular utility for adhering to or coating sclerotic dentin and cervical enamel or for adhering to or coating hard tissue in a high humidity environment. The primer enables formation of extremely strong bonds to dentin. The method comprises the steps of: (a) applying to the hard tissue adhesively effective amounts of an acid and a water-dispersible film former comprising a polymer and (b) hardening the film former. Primer compositions are provided for use in this method, comprising a mixture of an acid and a film former comprising a polymer prior to hardening, the mixture being in the form of a film atop the hard tissue.

Abstract: The invention provides a pretreatment method and primer that is applied directly to the hard tissue. The invention has particular utility for adhering to or coating sclerotic dentin and cervical enamel or for adhering to or coating hard tissue in a high humidity environment. The primer enables formation of extremely strong bonds to dentin. The method comprises the steps of:(a) applying to the hard tissue adhesively effective amounts of an acid and a water-dispersible film former comprising a polymer and(b) hardening the film former.Primer compositions are provided for use in this method, comprising a mixture of an acid and a film former comprising a polymer prior to hardening, the mixture being in the form of a film atop the hard tissue.

Abstract: A forming apparatus has a passage with a chamfered entrance for bending a tip of a syringe such as a syringe used for dispensing dental material. The passage and chamfered entrance enable the tip to be bent to a desired angular configuration while in view of the user.

Abstract: An adhesive composition comprising an ethylenically unsaturated phosphorylated compound, a carboxylic acid functional polymer, and a polymerization initiator, and optionally comprising a particulate metallic filler. Also disclosed is a method of adhering a restorative material such as amalgam to hard tissue such as dentin or enamel, involving the use of an adhesive composition of the invention as an intermediate layer between the restorative material and the hard tissue.

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.