Abstract: A method of forming dental products, such as dentures, denture relines, dental crowns, dental bridges and dental restorative materials, temporary crown, temporary bridge, provisional crown or provisional bridge, from two polymerizable paste compositions each having a complimentary component of a free radical catalyst system and a polymerizable acrylic compound. One of these paste compositions includes an oxidizing agent and a stabilizer and the other includes a reducing agent as components of a redox catalyst system for free radical polymerization. These paste compositions are mixed in a static mixer to form a polymerizing paste composition, which is then shaped into a dental prosthesis. A handheld mixing dispenser useful in carrying out this method, includes a static mixing conduit, and two containers enclosing the polymerizable paste compositions. The static mixing conduit encloses a static mixing member. The containers are adapted to be connected in fluid flow communication with the static mixing conduit.

Abstract: A dental prosthesis includes polymeric material formed by heat curing a polymerizable composition having at least 5 percent by weight of at least one polymerizable Monomer having at least one acrylic moiety and a gram molecular weight of at least 200. The polymeric material is preferably formed by heat curing and has an unnotched Izod impact strength of at least 2.5 and more preferably at least 3.0 ft.lb/in as measured by a Modified ASTM D256, and a flexural fatigue life of at least 20,000 flexes to failure at 0.1 inch deflection. Preferably the polymerizable monomer has a vapor pressure less than 5 mm Hg at 23.degree. C. A method of making a denture is provided which includes molding and polymerizing the polymerizable composition to form a denture.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for curing light curable material using unfiltered light. A vented housing encloses a single lamp filament light source which emits visible light. The light source is positioned above and to the side of the light curable material which is supported on a rotating table during light curing. Light incident to the surface of the light curable material is at least about 50 milliwatts per square centimeter. The light curable material has a surface temperature of at least 150.degree. F. (65.6.degree. C.) after 2 minutes.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for curing light curable material using unfiltered light. A vented housing encloses a single lamp filament light source which emits visible light. The light source is positioned above and to the side of the light curable material which is supported on a rotating table during light curing. Light incident to the surface of the light curable material is at least about 50 milliwatts per square centimeter. The light curable material has a surface temperature of at least 150.degree. F. (65.6.degree. C.) after 2 minutes.

Abstract: This invention provides hardenable compositions useful as construction media for a wide range of applications. Particular utility is found in the dental and medical arts where such compositions are highly suitable for the formation and construction of denture base, denture baseplates, denture liners, denture repair, custom trays, veneering for crowns and bridgework, artificial teeth, veneers and repair for natural teeth, and tooth restorative fillings. Such materials having improved impact strengths and elastic moduli when hardened are disclosed which include rubber-modified polymer.

Abstract: A method of producing dental appliances, especially orthodontic appliances, but also including dentures and other dental prosthesis. The method includes placing a self-merging dental gel especially as a stream on a dental cast and under and around preformed dental parts mounted on the cast and merging the dental gel into a homogeneous form of the complete part and then curing the formed dental appliance. The dental gel is a colloidal system including a hardenable dispersing medium, a colloid and a catalyst, preferably a photoinitiator.

Abstract: This invention provides hardenable compositions useful as construction media for a wide range of applications. Particular utility is found in the dental and medical arts where such compositions are highly suitable for the formation and construction of denture base, denture baseplates, denture liners, denture repair, custom trays, veneering for crowns and bridgework, artificial teeth, veneers and repair for natural teeth, and tooth restorative fillings. Such materials having improved impact strengths and elastic moduli when hardened are disclosed which include rubber-modified polymer.

Abstract: This invention provides hardenable compositions useful as construction media for a wide range of applications. Particular utility is found in the dental and medical arts where such compositions are highly suitable for the formation and construction of denture base, denture baseplates, denture liners, denture repair, custom trays, veneering for crowns and bridgework, artificial teeth, veneers and repair for natural teeth, and tooth restorative fillings. Such materials having improved impact strengths and elastic moduli when hardened are disclosed which include rubber-modified polymer.

Abstract: Methods for the manufacture and repair of dental appliance prostheses are provided comprising providing a shaped metallic underlayment, and plating onto at least a portion of the underlayment a layer of a second metallic species. An amount sufficient substantially to obscure the layer, of a polymerizable opaqueing agent is then applied to the layer. Following polymerization of the opaqueing agent through application of heat or radiant energy, especially visible light, the layer is ideally suited for the application of dental aesthetic veneers or other surfacing materials. In accordance with the preferred embodiment, an adhesion promotion species is employed either in a separate treating step for the second metallic layer or through inclusion thereof in the opaqueing agent.

Abstract: The present invention provides a new method of ameliorating oxygen inhibition especially with curable dental material having a polymerizable system including polymerizable organic compound, and polymerization initiator activatable by actinic radiation. The method involves shaping the dental material into a shaped member having relatively vertical surface and relatively horizontal surface, preparing a liquid composition, applying the liquid composition to the relatively vertical surface and the relatively horizontal surface to the member, forming a layer from the liquid composition, and applying actinic light to the light curable material through the layer. The method preferably involves including water and organic compound in the liquid composition and providing the layer in an amount of at least about 35 mg/dm.sup.2 on a fully dried weight basis.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for providing light curing of prostheses and other medical object materials, the object being prefabricated of a material which is hardened, or polymerized when exposed to visible light. An array of light sources is provided relative to a rotatable platform on which the object is placed, each light source providing a substantially collimated light beam and directed to optimally intercept the rotating object. There are preferably four such light sources, each having a visible light bandpass characteristic and directed at an angle within 25.degree.-45.degree. of the platform surface, the light beams being directed at the platform surface in overlapping fashion so as to provide continuous incident light on the object during each cycle of rotation.

Abstract: This invention provides hardenable compositions useful as construction media for a wide range of applications. Particular utility is found in the dental and medical arts where such compositions are highly suitable for the formation and construction of denture base, denture baseplates, denture liners, denture repair, custom trays, veneering for crowns and bridgework, artificial teeth, veneers and repair for natural teeth, and tooth restorative fillings.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for providing light curing of dentures and like materials, the denture being prefabricated of a material which is hardened, or polymerized when exposed to visible light. An array of light sources is provided relative to a rotatable platform on which the denture is placed, each light source providing a substantially collimated light beam and directed to optimally intercept the rotating denture. There are preferably four such light sources, each having a visible light bandpass characteristic and directed at an angle within 25.degree.-45.degree. of the platform surface, the light beams being directed at the platform surface in overlapping fashion so as to provide continuous incident light on the denture during each cycle of rotation.

Abstract: Novel processes for the restoration of teeth particularly posterior teeth, wherein the use of a matrix band is required, are provided employing one component, packable, actinic light curable, resin-based restorative compositions. Such methods are now capable, for the time, of employing resin-based restoratives in the posterior restoration of teeth wherein the packability of the restorative composition enable the deformation of a matrix to allow substantial restoration of the original conformation of the tooth. Packable one component actinic light curable resin-based restorative compositions are provided.

Abstract: Endodontic filling systems are provided having improved properties over those known to the prior art. Endodontic points are provided comprising hydrophilic, polymeric compositions. Such points are swellable when placed into a prepared root canal space and provide substantially complete filling of lateral cavity spaces without invasion of the subapicial space. According to a preferred embodiment, such points are used in conjunction with pastes or fluids comprising hydrophilic, polymeric compositions.

Abstract: Compositions hardenable by exposure to heat or electromagnetic radiation are provided by blending from about 0% to about 50% by weight of an uncrosslinked polymer, from about 20% to about 66% of a polymerizable monomer capable of dissolving said polymer, from about 10% to about 70% of a crosslinked polymer in the form of discrete particles having average diameters of from 0.001 micron to about 500 microns and being swellable by said monomer, and from about 0.25% to about 27% of a crosslinking agent for said monomer. Such compositions exhibit superior chemical and physical characteristics when hardened and are suitable in a wide variety of applications as construction media. In accordance with a preferred form of the invention, a precursor blend is formed from a mixture comprising (A) from 13 to 52 weight percent of a crosslinked polymer of an ester of a C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkyl acrylic acid and a C.sub.1 -C.sub.

Abstract: Compositions hardenable by exposure to heat or electromagnetic radiation are provided by blending from about 0% to about 50% by weight of an uncrosslinked polymer, from about 20% to about 66% of a polymerizable monomer capable of dissolving said polymer, from about 10% to about 70% of a crosslinked polymer in the form of discrete particles having average diameters of from 0.001 micron to about 500 microns and being swellable by said monomer, and from about 0.25% to about 27% of a crosslinking agent for said monomer. Such compositions exhibit superior chemical and physical characteristics when hardened and are suitable in a wide variety of applications as construction media. In accordance with a preferred form of the invention, a precursor blend is formed from a mixture comprising (A) from 13 to 52 weight percent of a crosslinked polymer of an ester of a C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkyl acrylic acid and a C.sub.1 -C.sub.