Abstract: Thermoplastic molding compositions are made from a mixture of thermoplastic material (for example, polycaprolactone), a free-radically polymerizable resin (for example, a urethane diacrylate oligomer), and free-radical initiator (for example, a visible-light cure photoinitiator). The mixture is solid at 38.degree. C., has a melting or softening point that comfortably can be withstood by oral tissues, and can be imprinted with a heat-stable custom shape memory and semi-thermoplastic properties by shaping the composition to a desired shape and then causing or permitting the resin to undergo polymerization.

Abstract: A dental arch bite registration device in the form of a thin disk having a plan shape corresponding to that portion of opposing dental arches whose registration is to be taken. The disk has an outer perimeter frame of polymeric material for peripherally bounding, as viewed in plan, an open space where that portion of opposing dental arches whose registration is to be taken will register. Polymeric bite registration material is joined with, and supported by, the outer perimeter frame, extending across and filling the open space, so that when the device is used to take a bite registration, that portion of opposing dental arches whose registration is being taken will create a bite registration in only the bite registration material, and not in the outer perimeter frame.

Abstract: A dual dental tray assembly is provided which includes a pliable resilient outer dental tray using a pre-formed thin inner tray of thermoplastic material that nests inside the pliable outer tray. The two are heated to between 145.degree.-160.degree. F. During this time the inner tray is more formable, allowing for the inner tray to be accurately formed over the patient's teeth. The outer tray also prolongs the time during which the inner tray is moldable. The outer tray also operates as a seal with the gums to create a better vacuum created by the patient's sucking. Thus, the inner tray, once formed and cooled, becomes hard and flexible again and provides a thin hard dental tray as accurate as dental trays produced by dentists in their labs on models. The thinner, hard dental tray can then be used for dental treatments including bleaching, fluoride applications, and other dental operations, including provisional crowns and other dental work. The outer tray is usable for fluoride gel treatments.

Abstract: A thermoplastic article formed of a composition for customizable moulding parts of devices such as hand grips or sports equipment or orthopaedic equipment comprises a composition which is set below 37.degree. C. and is conformably mouldable between about 50.degree. C. and 95.degree. C. The article can be moulded, used, and re-moulded and re-used, repeatedly. Such a composition may be an acrylate polymer, possibly a methacrylate polymer. The acrylate polymer may soften or become liquid in the range of 50.degree. C. to 95.degree. C. and may be mixed with another such polymer which is set at that temperature range so that a pasty mouldable mass is formed, for example by warming in warm water. The invention includes a method of forming the composition.

Abstract: A dental impression composition, dental impression pre-form and/or pre-mold and method for taking a dental impression that includes a pre-form made of an ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer mixed with a second polymer selected from vinyl acetate, a second ethylene vinyl acetate and a vinyl acetate vinyl alcohol ester. The pre-form softens at a temperature of about 120.degree. F. to 170.degree. F. The composition and method may also include a second pre-form made of a thin separator film sheet of a high molecular weight polycaprolactone, sandwiched between two ethylene vinyl acetate pre-forms.

Abstract: A thermoplastic article formed of a composition for customizable molding parts of devices such as dental plates or hand grips or sports equipment comprises a composition which is set below 37.degree. C. and is conformably moldable between about 50.degree. C. and 95.degree. C. The article can be molded, used, and re-molded and re-used, repeatedly. Such a composition may be an acrylate polymer, possibly a methacrylate polymer. The acrylate polymer may soften or become liquid in the range of 50.degree. C. to 95.degree. C. and may be mixed with another such polymer which is set at that temperature range so that a pasty moldable mass is formed, for example by warming in warm water. The invention includes a method of forming the composition.

Abstract: A preloaded impression tray (5a), comprising a thermoplastic impression material (7) at least partially enveloped by a shell (1a), the thermoplastic impression material being a plasticized solid and having:(i) a softening point that comfortably can be withstood by oral tissues,(ii) sufficient depth in the shell and fluidity when softened to conform accurately to adult dentition and the gingival margin, and(iii) sufficient strength and flexibility when resolidified in the mouth to permit removal of the impression material from teeth without tearing or undesirable distortion.

Abstract: Multi-laminar bite registration devices are fabricated from ethylene vinyl acetate. Injection molding is used to bond one lamina to another without the use of separate adhesive. The lamina have different durometers. In one embodiment, two relatively low durometer lamina are injection molded onto opposite surfaces of a relatively higher durometer lamina. In another, a relatively lower durometer lamina is injection molded onto a relatively higher durometer lamina.

Abstract: A method of making a rigid body from an acrylic cement powder by first compacting the powder so that adjacent particles are cohesively bonded together and a network of passages extend between the particles and then flowing a solvent vapor through the interior passages to form solvent bonds between particles.

Abstract: Dental and orthopedic acrylic cements are mixed by forming cement powder into a body in which adjacent particles are bonded to each other while defining a continuous open network of passages extending throughout the body and then bringing the body in contact with cement liquid. The liquid is wicked throughout the passages to dissolve the bonds and forms a mixed cement without stirring.

Abstract: A method for making a custom impression tray is disclosed. The method includes the steps of heating a thermosetting material, such as polycaprolactone until the material becomes pliable and then molding the material in the area of the mouth for which a custom impression tray is desired. The material, upon cooling, sets thus forming a custom impression tray which is then removed from the mouth.

Abstract: A self contained dental tray for taking impressions of teeth and associated soft tissues which requires no prevous application of adhesive to allow the teeth and impression to separate. In all of the embodiments the room temperature vulcanizable rubber and its hardener are included in the tray without the danger of premature hardening during shipping and storage.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of a dental impression comprisingA) forming a mixture of a polyaddition product which contains ether, urethane and urea groups,B) mixing therewith water of proton donor-containing aqueous solution in a weight ratio of A:B of from 1:0.01 to 1:40 and in at least catalytically active amount, the weight ratio of water plus proton donor to the balance of the composition exclusive of the filler ranging from about 0.01:1 to 1:1, andC) applying the mixture formed in B intraorally to a patient to make a negative copy of the patient's teeth.

Abstract: A low-dusting powdery alginate impression material for dental purposes comprises (a) an alginate, (b) a gelation agent, (c) a gelation controlling agent, (d) a filler, (e) at least one of an oxide, hydroxide and fluoride of a metal and (f) lanolin with or without at least one lanolin derivative, and may further include pigments and perfumes, which provides increased dimensional accuracy, improved manipulatability, improved storage stability, improved dimensional stability and improved surface smoothness.

Abstract: A custom dental tray is prepared by a dentist who manually works a soft dough-like composition of polycaprolactone polymer onto a stone dental cast and allows the polymer to harden to form the custom dental tray. The polycaprolactone polymer has an average molecular weight of from about 35,000 to about 60,000 and a crystalline melting point of from about 120.degree. F. to about 160.degree. F. and which is hard at temperatures of up to about 105.degree. F.

Abstract: Thermoplastic molding compositions are made from a blend of high molecular weight and low molecular weight polycaprolactones. The blends have lower viscosity, and can have higher modulus, than a composition containing only high molecular weight polycaprolactone. The blends are especially useful for dental impressioning.

Abstract: A dental impression pad is used with a dental tray for making an impression of a patient's teeth. Dental impression material, which becomes moldable when heated, is placed on one side of a strip of Mylar.RTM. material. The other side of the strip is covered with adhesive attaching the strip the dental tray. The dental impression pad also includes a protective sheet mounted to cover and protect the adhesive until use. When the pad is used, the protective sheet is peeled away to expose the adhesive. Dental impression pads are made by applying adhesive and a protective sheet to backing strips; melting a dental impression material; dripping or placing the dental impression material on the backing strips; shaping the dental impression material to the form desired; and cooling the impression material to a hardened state.

Abstract: A dental impression tray has an outwardly extending flange that is connected to posterior portions of a trough or channel for receiving a quantity of impression materials. The flange permits the tray to be firmly gripped on the sides of the channel in areas adjacent opposite posterior regions of the patient's dental arch, so that the cured impression material may be disengaged from the arch without excessive permanent distortion of the impression. Preferably, the flange extends along the entire perimeter of the channel and adjacent an occlusal portion of the channel.

Abstract: The phosphate mold material of this invention comprises refractory materials and binders as principal components, the refractory materials containing cristobalite and quartz, and the binders containing metal oxides which includes magnesia clinker and a phosphate salt. The proportion of said refractory materials to said binders is 80:20-90:10, and the proportion of cristobalite to quartz is in the range 6:1-7:1.

Abstract: The present invention provides a custom impression dental tray having a sheet of thermosetting material. The thermosetting material is preferably polycapractone which becomes pliable at a temperature between 130.degree.-140.degree. F. but becomes rigid at the temperature of the human mouth. An optional separation layer is disposed over one side of the sheet of thermosetting material with a wax or clay-like consistency. In practice, the tray is heated to a temperature of between 115.degree.-150.degree. F. and then molded around the teeth in the patient's mouth (or the impression of the patient's mouth for denture work). After the tray has ridigified, the separation layer and wax covering are removed from the tray thus providing a space for dental impression material to allow a final impression to be made.

Abstract: A preformed pattern for forming an occlusal splint comprises a U-shaped member composed of material that is form-stable at room temperature and sufficiently pliable at an elevated temperature to be conformed to the bits of a person's jaw or to a model of such person's jaw.

Abstract: Releasable dental impression tray has a top member, a side member and a handle. The tray has a compressible spring for compressing resilient impression material after it has set to facilitate removal of the tray.

Abstract: A dental tray of a shape suitable for direct contact with the mucosal surface of the mouth and capable of retaining an impression making material thereon comprising a thermoplastic resin material transparent to activating light energy radiation and which is softenable at a temperature ranging from 40.degree.-70.degree. C.

Abstract: A dental impression tray has approximately the form of the upper or lower biting surfaces and is made of thermoplastics material. The dental impression tray may be used to produce a functional impression of the upper or lower biting surfaces, including an occlusal impression, and is further suitable, in combination with a suitable lining material, as a dental guard for sportsmen.

Abstract: A dental method and apparatus for swiftly performing gingival retraction and conditioning in which a mass of moldable coherent plastic, preferably thixotropic, is lightly pressure molded both into and around the gingival trough of a prepared tooth to apply substantially balanced forces around the gingival flap which maintain the gingival trough without distortion. The moldable mass is rendered hydrosorbent at least on its surface by intimately bonded absorbent fiber, enabling it to absorb all the liquids and debris which would normally preclude the material from flowing into the trough. To effect a slight enlargement of the trough and to prevent prolapse in the case of very narrow troughs a preliminary bead of flowable thixotropic material can be injected into the trough to transmit light lateral outward pressure on the flap when pressed into the trough by the moldable absorbent mass.

Abstract: The mold in question includes a cap (1) of transparent material strengthened by a single or multiple reinforcement (2, 2', 3) of wire or metal strip incorporated in the plastic of the cap. The cap (1) or reinforcement ends above in a stem (1') which makes it possible to grasp the mold and hold it in place for the entire time of polymerization of the filling mastic performed by ultraviolet or visible light rays. This mold is particularly suited for giving the exact shape of the filling of front teeth, both on the right and left side.

Abstract: A preform consisting of a planar section of a thermoplastic having a glass transition temperature a few degrees above body temperature and a softening point below about 160.degree. F. is used to form custom, quadrant, dental impression trays. The preform is of uniform thickness except for a raised ridge, extending across both sides of the sheet, terminating in an elongated handle at one end, and dividing the preform into a pair of asymmetrical sections shaped to fit the buccal and the lingual musculature along a dental arch. The tray may be heated above its softening point and the side sections bent in a common direction about the central ridge so that their ends extend substantially parallel with one another to form a trough having a U-shaped cross-section.

Abstract: A dental tray is provided using a molded plastic. One form of tray includes buccal and lingual walls defining a series of recesses or indentations on opposed wall faces. When in use, a flexible impression support is applied to the walls and is coated with a suitable impression cement which enters the recesses and secures the impression support thereto.After an impression has been taken, the impression support is stripped from the tray and a mold is made therefrom.The use of recesses in the walls facilitates manufacturing of an inexpensive device of plastic using high speed, injection molding techniques.