Abstract:
Disclosed are endodontic filling materials and methods. A method for filling a dental root canal may include providing a hydrosetting filling material and inserting the hydrosetting filling material into the dental root canal, the material setting in the root canal to form a biocompatible filling. The hydrosetting filling material comprises a hydrogel former and a filler. The hydrogel former is at least one of a reactive organic hydrogel formers, an inorganic hydrogel formers, and a non-reactive organic hydrogel formers, and the filler is at least one of a self-hardening and a non-hardening filler. Plural filling material precursor compositions that collectively contain hydrogel formers and fillers may be provided.
Abstract:
A bone or dental implant material in the form of a paste includes a mixture of calcium phosphate and/or calcium-containing powders, liquid glycerol, organic acid and gelling agent. The paste is stable, resistant to washout and will harden upon exposure to water. Physical characteristics of the paste, including consistency, porosity, and hardening time, are controlled by the choice and ratio of constituents.
Abstract:
Disclosed are dental compositions and methods. In accordance with one embodiment, a dental composition includes calcium, fluorine, which is generally present in the form of fluoride, and phosphate or another stabilizing anion. The composition is stable as against precipitation of calcium fluoride during transport and storage, but is unstable against the precipitation of calcium fluoride in the oral cavity of a human. In many embodiments, the amount of fluoride may be less than the amount of fluoride used in a comparable composition intended for a similar purpose. A dental method comprises applying the composition to the oral cavity of a patient, whereupon calcium fluoride precipitates from the composition.
Abstract:
Compositions and methods for forming, in an aqueous environment, a nanoaggregate of calcium fluoride and amorphous calcium phosphate-containing compound, such as amorphous calcium phosphate fluoride or amorphous calcium carbonate phosphate fluoride are described. The nanoaggregate (or nanocomposite) can release calcium, phosphate, and fluoride, and ultimately convert to the tooth mineral, fluorapatite. One method for forming such a nanoaggregate involves applying a non-aqueous {e.g., varnish-based) composition (e.g., a suspension), containing solid particles of water soluble salts of calcium, phosphate, and fluoride, to the aqueous environment of the mouth. This results in rapid solubilization of the salts, precipitation of the nanoaggregate, and tooth remineralization. Tooth fluoridation and remineralization may also be carried out by applying to the tooth a non-aqueous carrier containing the nanoaggregate. Whitening agents can also be added to these compositions and methods.
Abstract:
Disclosed are dental compositions and methods. In accordance with one embodiment, a dental composition includes calcium, fluorine, which is generally present in the form of fluoride, and phosphate or another stabilizing anion. The composition is stable as against precipitation of calcium fluoride during transport and storage, but is unstable against the precipitation of calcium fluoride in the oral cavity of a human. In many embodiments, the amount of fluoride may be less than the amount of fluoride used in a comparable composition intended for a similar purpose. A dental method comprises applying the composition to the oral cavity of a patient, whereupon calcium fluoride precipitates from the composition.
Abstract:
A new azo-type quaternary pyridinium salt (Azo-QPS) shows enhanced activity at acidic conditions (e.g., pH = 5); in neutral or basic conditions, this new Azo-QPS shows a much lower level (2 - 50 times lower) anti-bacterial activity. The use of such a "stimulus- enhance" antibiotic can response to the proliferation of bacteria directly. It helps reduce or prevent the build-up of potent antibacterial agents in the oral environment. The antibacterial properties of Azo-QPS are "activated" when the environmental pH becomes acidic; this acidic pH may be indicative of the accumulation of Streptococcus mutans , or the initiation of tooth decay.
Abstract:
A composition of matter includes a mixture of styrene derivative monomers and methacrylate/acrylate derivative monomers, which have one or more urethane, carbamate, amide, and/or amine functional groups, and initiators, and the compositions are used to achieve composition control of the forming polymer, with the mole fraction of acrylate/methacrylate and styrene moieties in the forming polymer determined preferably by the chemistry and composition of the feeding monomers rather than the viscosity of the monomers.
Abstract:
A method for preparing uniquely sized nanoparticles of CaF 2 by simultaneously spray drying a first NH 4 F and a biocompatible salt solution and a second Ca(OH) 2 and biocompatible salt solution to form CaF 2 solid particles in a soluble salt matrix wherein the salt is more soluble than CaF 2 . The salt matrix may then be dissolved and the separate CaF 2 nanosized particles collected for use as a dental therapeutic material. The technique is useful in the preparation of other discrete, nanoparticle sized compounds and combinations by carefully choosing the solvents and solutes of the two spray dried solutions.
Abstract:
Disclosed are compositions that comprise vinylarylalkylene ethers of cyclodextrins optionally containing ether-linked adhesion-promoting groups, in combination with copolymerizable monomer or monomers. The copolymerizable monomer or monomers may include vinylarylalkylene ethers of oligohydroxy compounds (for example, sorbitol divinylbenzyl ether and others). The composition further may include stabilizers (for example, 1,3,5-trimethyl-2,4,6-tris(3,5-di-(tert)-butyl-4-hydroxybenzyl)benzene and others), and polymerization initiators (for example, phenylbis[2,4,6-trimethylbenzoyl]phosphine oxide and others) and reinforcing materials (for example, imogolite). Methods of preparing the compositions as well as the components of compositions and methods for their use in dental and other applications are also disclosed.
Abstract:
Combining nanosized particles of a source of desired dental restorative, repair or therapeutic materials with strengthening agents in various generally nanosized form such as whiskers, fibers, particles and the like in a resin matrix provides a highly strain resistant composite which more effectively releases the therapeutic agents. The utilization of nano sized particles of the therapeutic agent in the combination enables observation of significantly improved therapeutic results.