Abstract: Methods for reducing the number and/or size of gas bubbles in a material are disclosed. The disclosed methods involve subjecting materials to pressure for a period of time. The methods have been found to be useful in the preparation of dental composites and dental structures prepared from those composites. Materials produced using the disclosed methods can have enhanced structural and/or aesthetic features.

Abstract: Dental composite restorations reinforced with one or more fiber structures are disclosed. The fiber structures can have a wide array of shapes and sizes, including rods with circular cross sections, rods with “U” shaped cross sections, rods with “I” shaped cross sections, and fiber mesh structures. The reinforced dental composite restorations are created by incrementally layering and curing composite materials onto the fiber structures. The resulting restorations have significantly improved flexural strength as compared to conventionally prepared composite restoration materials.

Abstract: Methods for reducing the number and/or size of gas bubbles in a material are disclosed. The disclosed methods involve subjecting materials to pressure for a period of time. The methods have been found to be useful in the preparation of dental composites and dental structures prepared from those composites. Materials produced using the disclosed methods can have enhanced structural and/or aesthetic features.

Abstract: Orthopedic bone cements of low porosity, prepared by mixing together at least two liquid components under conditions that allow only minimal exposure to air, are disclosed. In a preferred system, each liquid component consists essentially of a solution of a linear (non-crosslinked) polymer or copolymer of methyl methacrylate (PMMA) dissolved in a non-crosslinking methyl methacrylate (MMA) monomer, with one such solution also containing an activator and a polymerization inhibitor and a second solution containing an initiator as well as a polymerization inhibitor. No reinforcing fillers are present, although a small amount (no more than 12% by weight of the total cement composition) of a radiopacifier may be included in the composition.