A system (30) for dispensing curable material. A lead screw (62) is rotatably fixed relative to a first control surface (60) and includes external threads (94). A locking nut (90) includes internal threads (92) threadably engaging the external threads. An engagement feature (98) of the locking nut is adapted to be selectively engaged with an actuator (120) having a second control surface (122). The threads provide for rotation of the locking nut about a translation axis when the actuator is in a disengaged position. Rotation of the locking nut permits the lead screw to move proximally along the axis and the compressed curable material to at least partially decompress within a dispensing volume. The threads further provide for distal advancement of the lead screw along the axis when the actuator is in an engaged position rotatably fixing the locking nut about the axis. Methods for operating and packaging the curable material dispensing system are also described.