Glass-ionomer dental restoratives

The history and chemistry of conventional (chemically cured) and visible light-cured (VLC) glass polyalkeonates (glass-ionomers) is reviewed. The synthesis of new acrylic acid copolymers, containing amino acid residues, derived from amino acid based acrylamides or methacrylmides, and N-vinylpyrrolidone, is described, along with the use of the new polymers to prepare improved restoratives. Supercritical polymerizations for preparing new polyelectrolytes for use in formulating improved glass-ionomers are also described. A completely new method to prepare VLC glass-ionomers, via the use of methacrylate monomers having a cyclic imino ether group, to modify acrylic acid copolymers in aqueous solution, is additionally described.