The present invention relates to a rapid-setting hydraulic binder composition and, more specifically, to a hydraulic binder composition, which contains tricalcium aluminate (C3A) and dodecacalcium heptaaluminate (C12A7), and thus is rapidly set, has an easily adjustable setting time, and is bio-friendly.

A cement system for forming an implant comprises a reactive glass ionomer cement (GIC) powder, a polycarboxylic acid or salt, and a filler. The polycarboxylic acid or salt is included to initially provide a paste having a pH less than 7 when the cement system is mixed with water. In one embodiment, the filler is substantially inert when mixed with water and is selected from (CaO)(AI.sub.2O.sub.3)6, (CaO)(AI.sub.2O.sub.3).sub.2, calcium silicate (CaOSiO.sub.2), and mixtures thereof. In another embodiment, the filler is substantially reactive when mixed with water and is selected from (CaO).sub.2(SiO.sub.2), (CaO).sub.3(SiO.sub.2), and mixtures thereof, and the cement system includes an additional acid to maintain the paste at a pH less than 7 for at least one hour after the cement system is mixed with water.

A hardenable (e.g. dental) compositions is described comprising an encapsulated material. The encapsulated material comprises a basic core material and an inorganic shell material having certain viscosity criteria. Also described are dispensing devices and kits are described comprising a hardenable (e.g. dental) composition comprising a liquid material and an encapsulated material wherein the encapsulated material comprises a basic core material and an inorganic shell material comprising a metal oxide surrounding the core. The dispensing devices and kits can facilitate the methods of applying the hardenable composition. The hardenable or hardened (e.g. cured) composition can provide various technical effects such as a delayed release of a basic core material, a delayed increase in basicity, promoting remineralization of a tooth or bone structure, and increasing the average alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity of pulp cells. In some embodiments, the composition is a dental (e.g. sealant) composition for application to a tooth structure.

A hardenable (e.g. dental) compositions is described comprising an encapsulated material. The encapsulated material comprises a basic core material and an inorganic shell material having certain viscosity criteria. Also described are dispensing devices and kits are described comprising a hardenable (e.g. dental) composition comprising a liquid material and an encapsulated material wherein the encapsulated material comprises a basic core material and an inorganic shell material comprising a metal oxide surrounding the core. The dispensing devices and kits can facilitate the methods of applying the hardenable composition. The hardenable or hardened (e.g. cured) composition can provide various technical effects such as a delayed release of a basic core material, a delayed increase in basicity, promoting remineralization of a tooth or bone structure, and increasing the average alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity of pulp cells. In some embodiments, the composition is a dental (e.g. sealant) composition for application to a tooth structure.

An improved Mineral Trioxide Aggregate (MTA) filling material for dentistry and a device for its use to seal natural, pathogenic, or iatrogenic, tooth cavities. The filling material comprises Portland cement, or variations in the composition of such cement, calcium sulfate and a radio pacifier material. The improved filling material exhibits favorable physical and chemical attributes sufficient to form a biocompatible and effective seal against re-entrance of infectious organisms. A device for delivery of MTA filling material to the site of operation is also provided.

An improved Mineral Trioxide Aggregate (MTA) filling material for dentistry and a device for its use to seal natural, pathogenic, or iatrogenic, tooth cavities. The filling material comprises Portland cement, or variations in the composition of such cement, calcium sulfate and a radio pacifier material. The improved filling material exhibits favorable physical and chemical attributes sufficient to form a biocompatible and effective seal against re-entrance of infectious organisms. A device for delivery of MTA filling material to the site of operation is also provided.