Glass-ionomer dental restoratives

The history and chemistry of conventional (chemically cured) and visible li ght-cured (VLC) glass polyalkeonates (glass-ionomers) is reviewed. The synt hesis of new acrylic acid copolymers, containing amino acid residues, deriv ed from amino acid based acrylamides or methacrylmides, and N-vinylpyrrolid one, is described, along with the use of the new polymers to prepare improv ed restoratives. Supercritical polymerizations for preparing new polyelectr olytes for use in formulating improved glass-ionomers are also described. A completely new method to prepare VLC glass-ionomers, via the use of methac rylate monomers having a cyclic imino ether group, to modify acrylic acid c opolymers in aqueous solution, is additionally described. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.