Abstract: Photocurable restorative materials for making dental restorations usually are highly filled with fillers such as amorphous silica, quartz or glass powder having limited translucency to curing radiation. Thus the underside of the restoration may not become adequately photocured. Better curing at the underside is achieved by applying a coating of fluorescent or reflective material beneath the restorative material. When exposing the restorative material to radiant curing energy, the resulting fluorescence or reflectance by the coating enhances the degree of cure of the underside of the restoration.

Abstract: For use in making dental restorations, a model is prepared by taking an intra-oral impression and molding in the impression a replica model made from the thermosetting resin and a thermoplastic resin. The thermosetting resin provides a tough, heat- and abrasion-resistant surface. Heat from the molten thermoplastic resin accelerates the curing of the thermosetting resin.

Abstract: When a hand-held visible-light curing unit is used in air to cure dental restorative material, a thin layer of soft, uncured surface material ordinarily remains and is removed by grinding. In the invention, the surface of the restorative material is fully cured by the simple expedient of using a hand-held light curing unit whose lightguide has a hollow tube having at least one orifice that is substantially colinear with the lightguide. An inert gas such as nitrogen is gently blown through the orifice and across the surface of the restorative material while the material is being cured by light from the light curing unit.

Abstract: For use in making dental restorations, a model is prepared by taking an intra-oral impression and molding in the impression a replica model made from thermoplastic resin and an optional thermoset resin. The model includes a flexible support adhered to the underside of the model. When the model is flexed or cut, cracks will form through the replica gingival tissue between adjacent replica teeth. The flexible support acts as a hinge to provide access to interproximal spaces between replica teeth. A preferred flexible support is a layer of a tough and flexible second thermoplastic resin.

Abstract: For use in making dental restorations, a model is prepared by taking an intra-oral impression and molding in the impression a replica model made from a thermosetting resin and a thermoplastic resin. The thermosetting resin provides a tough, heat- and abrasion-resistant surface. Heat from the molten thermoplastic resin accelerates the curing of the thermosetting resin.

Abstract: Ethoxylated siloxane surfactants, and mixtures of such surfactants with curable silicone prepolymers. The mixtures are hydrophilic after cure, have semipermanent hydrophilicity, and are especially useful as dental impressions.

Abstract: Ethoxylated siloxane surfactants, and mixtures of such surfactants with curable silicone prepolymers. The mixtures are hydrophilic after cure, have semipermanent hydrophilicity, and are especially useful as dental impressions.

Abstract: Curable silicon prepolymers are made hydrophilic after cure by mixing the prepolymer with ethoxylated nonionic surface active agent or cationic or amphoteric fluorochemical surface active agent. The cured silicones have semipermanent hydrophilicity and are especially useful as dental impressions.

Abstract: A method for preparing porous ceramic or metallic coatings on substrates and preparing perforated articles which are ceramic or metallic; the method involving utilization of a composition comprising ceramic powder or metallic powder, binder, and solvent whereby at least a portion of the solvent is rapidly volatilized to obtain the porosity in the ceramic or metallic material. The coated substrates and perforated articles are useful for example, as prosthetic devices, catalyst supports, and bone supplementation material.