Abstract: The invention provides a dental method including forming a polishing member sufficient, when rotated, to polish a cut unpolished dental tooth surface to a surface roughness of less than 0.07 sRa ?m and, to polish an unpolished dental restorative material supported by a tooth in a patient's mouth to a surface roughness of less than 0.03 sRa ?m. The dental polishing material preferably includes elastomeric polymer impregnated with blocky synthetic diamonds. The synthetic diamonds effectively have particle sizes less than 50 microns. The synthetic diamonds are more than 50 percent by weight of the dental polishing material.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of forming dental restorations, particularly dental crowns. The method involves applying a flexible spacer material having a polymerization system capable of being activated by light to a prepared tooth surface. A composite crown-forming material is dispensed into a transparent plastic matrix. The matrix is placed in the mouth of the patient so the composite material is molded over the tooth surface coated with the spacer material. Then, the composite is irradiated with curing light, through the matrix, so that it hardens to form a dental crown. The crown is removed, trimmed and finished, and then permanently affixed to the tooth.

Abstract: A heat pack 30 is provided which contains the reactants for an exothermic chemical reaction. The heat pack 30 having physical contact with or close physical proximity to a package 10 during the ensuing exothermic reaction causes package 10 and material contained within package 10 to be heated.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of forming dental restorations, particularly dental crowns. The method involves applying a flexible spacer material having a polymerization system capable of being activated by light to a prepared tooth surface. A composite crown-forming material is dispensed into a transparent plastic matrix. The matrix is placed in the mouth of the patient so the composite material is molded over the tooth surface coated with the spacer material. Then, the composite is irradiated with curing light, through the matrix, so that it hardens to form a dental crown. The crown is removed, trimmed and finished, and then permanently affixed to the tooth.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of forming dental restorations, particularly dental crowns. The method involves applying a flexible cement composition to a prepared tooth surface. The composition is polymerized so that it substantially hardens. A composite crown-forming material is dispensed into a substantially transparent plastic matrix. The matrix is placed in the mouth of the patient so that the composite material is molded over the tooth surface. Then, the material is irradiated with curing light, through the matrix, so that it hardens to form a dental crown. The crown has good mechanical strength and is resistant to fracturing and breaking.

Abstract: The present invention includes a dental restorative material for use in for example, class 1 & 2 posterior cavity restorations. The inventive material includes a modified BisGma resin. The invention also includes a method of restoring a damaged tooth that includes the application of bonding agent, applying energy such as by warming the material so that it can be extruded, and placing the material into the tooth cavity.

Abstract: A heat pack 30 is provided which contains the reactants for an exothermic chemical reaction. The heat pack 30 having physical contact with or close physical proximity to a package 10 during the ensuing exothermic reaction causes package 10 and material contained within package 10 to be heated.

Abstract: Improved two component polymerizable polyorganosiloxane compositions are described, particularly for use in making dental impressions, having improved tear strength and wettability. Improved tear strength results from inclusion of a quadri-functional polysiloxane having a vinyl content of 0.16 to 0.24 m-mole/g. Working time is maintained by including sufficient amounts of a retarder composition that delays onset of the vinyl polymerization. Wettability is improved by including a surfactant resulting in a surface contact angle with water at three minutes of less than 50°. The surfactant chosen has an HLB of 8-11, such that the wetting contact angle is achieved within less than two minutes and remains wetting throughout the working time of the impression taking, substantially improving impression quality. A low viscosity impression material is provided and includes a base component and a catalyst component. Both components are siloxane-based materials.

Abstract: Improved very high viscosity (putty) two component polymerizable polyorganosiloxane composition for use in making non-sweating, low liquid mass loss dental impressions, having improved tear strength, handling and wettability. Improved tear strength results from inclusion of a quadri-functional polysiloxane having a vinyl content of 0.16 to 0.24 m-mole/g. Working time is maintained by including sufficient amounts of a retarder composition that delays onset of the vinyl polymerization. Handling is improved by the addition of a very high viscosity linear vinyl terminated polydimethylsiloxane which reduces tackiness and improves the shelf stability. Wettability is improved by including a surfactant resulting in a surface contact angle with water at three minutes of less than 50°.

Abstract: Improved two component polymerizable polyorganosiloxane compositions are described, particularly for use in making dental impressions, having improved tear strength and wettability. Improved tear strength results from inclusion of a quadri-functional polysiloxane having a vinyl content of 0.16 to 0.24 m-mole/g. Working time is maintained by including sufficient amounts of a retarder composition that delays onset of the vinyl polymerization. Wettability is improved by including a surfactant resulting in a surface contact angle with water at three minutes of less than 50°. The surfactant chosen has an HLB of 8-11, such that the wetting contact angle is achieved within less than two minutes and remains wetting throughout the working time of the impression taking, substantially improving impression quality. A low viscosity impression material is provided and includes a base component and a catalyst component. Both components are siloxane-based materials.

Abstract: Improved very high viscosity (putty) two component polymerizable polyorganosiloxane composition for use in making dental impressions, having improved tear strength, handling and wettability. Improved tear strength results from inclusion of a quadri-functional polysiloxane having a vinyl content of 0.16 to 0.24 m-mole/g. Working time is maintained by including sufficient amounts of a retarder composition that delays onset of the vinyl polymerization. Handling is improved by the addition of a very high viscosity linear vinyl terminated polydimethylsiloxane which reduces tackiness and improves the shelf stability. Wettability is improved by including a surfactant resulting in a surface contact angle with water at three minutes of less than 50.degree.. The surfactant chosen has an HLB of 8-11, such that the wetting contact angle is achieved within less than two minutes and remains wetting throughout the working time of the impression taking, substantially improving the impression making process.

Abstract: Improved two component polymerizable polyorganosiloxane compositions are described, particularly for use in making dental impressions, having improved tear strength and wettability. Improved tear strength results from inclusion of a quadri-functional polysiloxane having a vinyl content of 0.16 to 0.24 m-mole/g. Working time is maintained by including sufficient amounts of a retarder composition that delays onset of the vinyl polymerization. Wettability is improved by including a surfactant resulting in a surface contact angle with water at three minutes of less than 50.degree.. The surfactant chosen has an HLB of 8-11, such that the wetting contact angle is achieved within less than two minutes and remains wetting throughout the working time of the impression taking, substantially improving impression quality.

Abstract: Improved two component polymerizable polyorganosiloxane compositions are described, particularly for use in making dental impressions, having improved tear strength and wettability. Improved tear strength results from inclusion of a quadri-functional polysiloxane having a vinyl content of 0.16 to 0.24 m-mole/g. Working time is maintained by including sufficient amounts of a retarder composition that delays onset of the vinyl polymerization. Wettability is improved by including a surfactant resulting in a surface contact angle with water at three minutes of less than 50.degree.. The surfactant chosen has an HLB of 8-11, such that the wetting contact angle is achieved within less than two minutes and remains wetting throughout the working time of the impression taking, substantially improving the impression making process.

Abstract: A method of preparing an impression of dentition in the oral cavity is provided that overcomes a problem of transfer of inhibitors left by latex gloves that interfere with platinum catalyzed hydrosilation reactions. The method involves applying a surfactant, preferably with peroxide, to the area that is to have its impression taken substantially immediately before applying the impression taking material, rinsing the composition from the area and proceeding with the taking of the dental impression. Preferably the decontaminating composition consists essentially of surfactant, especially polyoxyethylene surfactants, hydrogen peroxide and water.

Abstract: A light-curing apparatus for curing polymerizable material in the mouth is provided. In one embodiment the apparatus comprises a wand which is substantially the same size as a quadrant or a full dental arch; in a second embodiment, the apparatus is in the shape of a dental tray and is adapted to fit over the outside of a dental tray; and in a third embodiment the light source comprises a portion (substantially the frame) of a double arch impression tray, and has a slide mechanism by which the mesh of a double arch impression tray can be removed from the light source so the light source can be reused. The invention also comprises a method for curing a dental material in the mouth using the apparatus of the invention.

Abstract: A dental impression package pre-loaded with dental impression material adapted for taking accurate impressions of a patient's teeth and/or gums by professional personnel is provided. The impression material used is flowable to a desired degree and has a viscosity of substantially one million centipoises. Packaging a pre-loaded dental impression tray is accomplished by first quickly immersing the loaded tray in a solution of natural latex for a few seconds and then quickly removing the coated product followed by quickly immersing it in a coagulating solution of acetic acid for a few seconds to stabilize the latex coating; withdrawing the stabilized coated product; drying it; and suitably packaging the product for storage and sale. If the impression material is of a light-curable nature, the packaging is of light-opaque nature.

Abstract: Novel compositions, especially light curable compositions, are provided which are coherent, but frangible when cured. Preferred compositions comprising a major proportion of inert, preferably inorganic filler material, polymerizable resin and frangibility enhancing material are provided which are light curable. The materials are particularly useful for "temporary" dental fillings and removable endodontic fillings. The cured materials are easily dissected, comminuted and removed as desired after curing without trauma to the filled teeth.