Provided are adhesive monomers for dental materials including compounds represented by the general formula (1) below, in which the core (X) and the terminal group (Y1) are bonded to each other directly or via the linking group (Z): X(Y1)n.sup.1a(ZY1)n.sup.1b(1) wherein n.sup.1a represents the number of terminal groups (Y1) directly bonded to the core (X), n.sup.1b represents the number of terminal groups (Y1) bonded to the core (X) via the linking group (Z), and the sum of n.sup.1a and n.sup.1b is equal to the valence of the core (X); the core (X), the linking group (Z) and the terminal group (Y1) are further defined. The adhesive monomers can enhance adhesive strength to the tooth in dental treatment, and impart high mechanical strength to cured products.

The present invention provides a dental curable composition comprising (A) a polymerizable monomer, (B) an inorganic filler, and (C) a polymerization initiator, wherein the polymerizable monomer (A) comprises (a1) a polyfunctional (meth)acrylate monomer comprising urethane bonds, (a2) a polyfunctional (meth)acrylate monomer comprising hydroxyl groups, and (a3) a polyfunctional (meth)acrylate monomer comprising carboxyl groups, the ratio by weight of (a1):(a2)+(a3) ranges from 1:1 to 9:1, the number of hydroxyl groups is not more than 0.5 relative to the number of (meth)acryloyl groups in one molecule of the above-mentioned (a2), and the number of carboxyl groups is not more than 0.5 relative to the number of (meth)acryloyl groups in one molecule of the above-mentioned (a3).

The invention relates to nano-sized complexes formed by associating or attaching amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP) and/or amorphous calcium fluoride phosphate (ACFP) with an amphiphilic polymer surfactant (APS) and a bioadhesive polymer. The bioadhesive polymer may serve as a connector or an anchor to attach the nano ACP-APS or ACFP-APS to the tooth surface and to chemically bond the calcium in the enamel to the calcium ions in the nano ACP-APS or ACFP-APS complexes, thus allowing for more controlled release of remineralizing components into the oral cavity. Methods of use of the composition and kits are also disclosed.

To provide a dental lithium silicate glass composition capable of providing a dental lithium silicate glass ceramic capable of efficiently precipitating the main crystals (lithium disilicate and/or lithium metasilicate) even after heat treatment. To provide a Al.sub.2O.sub.3-free dental lithium silicate glass composition including the following components: SiO.sub.2: 60.0 to 80.0% by weight, Li.sub.2O: 10.0 to 17.0% by weight, K.sub.2O: 0.5 to 10.0% by weight, ZrO.sub.2: 0.0 to 5.0% by weight, a nucleating agent: 1.0 to 6.0% by weight, a glass stabilizer: 0.0 to 8.0% by weight and a colorant: 0.0 to 10.0% by weight.

Compositions of, methods of making, and methods of using alkaline earth phosphate bone cements are disclosed. A bone cement composition includes a powder comprising a basic source of calcium, magnesium, or strontium, a setting solution comprising H3PO4 and a buffer, and a biocompatible polymer that is incorporated into the setting solution. The powder is mixed with the setting solution to form a bone cement paste that either (a) sets into a hardened mass, or (b) is irradiated with electromagnetic radiation to form dry powders, the dry powders then being mixed with a second setting solution to form a radiation-assisted bone cement paste that sets into a hardened mass.

A soluble zinc polyphosphate complex made by combining ingredients which include an inorganic zinc salt and a plurality of long chain polyphosphates having 6 or more phosphate polymer units, the relative amount of inorganic zinc salt and long chain polyphosphates providing a phosphorus to zinc mole ratio of at least 6:1. Further provided is a method of making this soluble zinc polyphosphate.

A soluble zinc polyphosphate complex made by combining ingredients which include an inorganic zinc salt and a plurality of long chain polyphosphates having 6 or more phosphate polymer units, the relative amount of inorganic zinc salt and long chain polyphosphates providing a phosphorus to zinc mole ratio of at least 6:1. Further provided is a method of making this soluble zinc polyphosphate.

A biocompatible composite material for controlled release is disclosed, comprising a biocompatible metal oxide structure with a loaded network of pores. The pore network of the biocompatible composite material is filled with a uniformly distributed biologically active micellizing amphiphilic molecule, the size of these pores ranging from about 0.5 to about 100 nanometers. The material is characterized in that when exposed to phosphate-buffered saline (PBS), the controlled release of the active amphiphilic molecule is predominantly diffusion-driven over time.

A method of forming a stabilized calcium phosphate moiety for use in dental or biomedical applications includes providing a solution or dispersion including a calcium salt and reacting an organic phosphate having a polymerizable methacrylate or vinyl group with the solution or dispersion in order to form the calcium phosphate moiety having at least one pendant polymerizable group and at least one organic functional group, which may be the same group. A polymerizable composite system having a stabilized calcium phosphate formed according to the method is also provided.

A method of forming a stabilized calcium phosphate moiety for use in dental or biomedical applications includes providing a solution or dispersion including a calcium salt and reacting an organic phosphate having a polymerizable methacrylate or vinyl group with the solution or dispersion in order to form the calcium phosphate moiety having at least one pendant polymerizable group and at least one organic functional group, which may be the same group. A polymerizable composite system having a stabilized calcium phosphate formed according to the method is also provided.