Abstract: A one-hand operated dispenser for metering dental compositions comprises a casing for receiving the dental composition between a forward dispensing end and a plunger which is movably mounted within the casing. The plunger is moved forwardly by means of a threaded spindle which engages with a nut disposed on the rear casing end so as to be secured against rotation and axial movement. The thus formed assembly may be inserted into two bifurcated brackets of a generally U-shaped receptacle forming part of a manipulating member. The spindle is guided in the one bracket so as to be axially movable and non-rotatable, while the casing with the nut is mounted in the other bracket so as to be non-displaceable but rotatable. When the manipulating member is gripped, the casing may be turned between thumb and index finger such that the spindle is pushed forwards, whereby the dental composition exits from the dispensing opening.

Abstract: Compositions, which may be mixed with water to prepare a dental silicate cement, consist essentially of a silicate glass powder and a solid polymeric material selected of polymers of unsaturated .alpha.,.beta.-dicarboxylic acids.

Abstract: Dental cements are prepared by mixing a silicate powder with an aqueous solution of polymers of unsaturated alpha, beta-dicarboxylic acids.