Polymers in dentistry
Polymers in Dentistry
A polymer is a very long molecule that is made by linking together many smaller molecules called monomers. Some polymers contain only one type of monomer and others can be made from a combination of two or more different monomers. Polymers can be synthetic (produced by humans) or natural. Polymers that can be heated and molded into specific shapes and forms are commonly known as plastics. All plastics are synthetic polymers. Adhesives, chewing gum, and polystyrene are also made from synthetic polymers. Some synthetic polymers can also be used to make fabrics. Cotton, linen, wool and other natural polymers have been used for thousands of years to make clothing There are many different applications and uses for polymers in dentistry. Polymers are used in Dentures (bases, liners, artificial teeth), cavity filling materials (Composites), sealants, impression materials, Cements (resin based), Orthodontics (elastics) and equipment (mixing bowl). With dentists placing nearly 100 million dental fillings into patients′ teeth annually in the U.S. alone, polymeric composite restoratives account for a very large share of the biomaterials market. These pigmented materials are composed mainly of liquid monomers and surface-functionalized particulate inorganic fillers, and with the help of polymerization, can alter the appearance of a natural tooth.
Figure (a) is a representative dimethacrylate monomer commonly used as a co-monomer to form the highly cross-linked polymeric matrix phase in dental composites. The bulkier monomer structure provides polymers with lower polymerization shrinkage and reduced covalent crosslink densities, while maintaining good strength due to physical network reinforcement by the bulky substituent groups. (b) Dimethacrylate monomers based on the C36 diacid core structure (blue). Monomer I was prepared by reduction of the diacid to the diol followed by a reaction with methacrylic anhydride. Monomer II was synthesized using
A polymer is a very long molecule that is made by linking together many smaller molecules called monomers. Some polymers contain only one type of monomer and others can be made from a combination of two or more different monomers. Polymers can be synthetic (produced by humans) or natural. Polymers that can be heated and molded into specific shapes and forms are commonly known as plastics. All plastics are synthetic polymers. Adhesives, chewing gum, and polystyrene are also made from synthetic polymers. Some synthetic polymers can also be used to make fabrics. Cotton, linen, wool and other natural polymers have been used for thousands of years to make clothing There are many different applications and uses for polymers in dentistry. Polymers are used in Dentures (bases, liners, artificial teeth), cavity filling materials (Composites), sealants, impression materials, Cements (resin based), Orthodontics (elastics) and equipment (mixing bowl). With dentists placing nearly 100 million dental fillings into patients′ teeth annually in the U.S. alone, polymeric composite restoratives account for a very large share of the biomaterials market. These pigmented materials are composed mainly of liquid monomers and surface-functionalized particulate inorganic fillers, and with the help of polymerization, can alter the appearance of a natural tooth.
Figure (a) is a representative dimethacrylate monomer commonly used as a co-monomer to form the highly cross-linked polymeric matrix phase in dental composites. The bulkier monomer structure provides polymers with lower polymerization shrinkage and reduced covalent crosslink densities, while maintaining good strength due to physical network reinforcement by the bulky substituent groups. (b) Dimethacrylate monomers based on the C36 diacid core structure (blue). Monomer I was prepared by reduction of the diacid to the diol followed by a reaction with methacrylic anhydride. Monomer II was synthesized using