Curable compositions with antimicrobial properties

Abstract

Novel curable compositions are disclosed which include a water-insoluble antimicrobial agent. The curable compositions are useful in inhibiting the growth of bacteria on the surface of the curable composition, within the curable compositions and in a volume adjacent to the curable composition.

1 . A method of producing an artificial prosthesis, comprising curing, in a human oral cavity, a curable composition comprising a mixture of a polymerization system and a water-insoluble anti-bacterial agent inert to the polymerization system, thus producing an artificial prosthesis; wherein the artificial prosthesis produces a zone of inhibition of growth of bacteria surrounding it.  
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the artificial prosthesis is a denture material, a denture reline material, a denture adhesive, a temporary dental restorative material, an adhesion promoting agent, a luting cement or a cavity liner.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the anti-bacterial agent is a phenolic compound.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the anti-bacterial agent is a halogenated diphenyl ether.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4  wherein the halogenated diphenyl ether is triclosan.  
     
     
         6 . A method of producing an artificial prosthesis, comprising curing a curable composition comprising a mixture of a polymerization system and a water-insoluble anti-bacterial agent inert to the polymerization system, thus producing an artificial prosthesis; and inserting the artificial prosthesis into an oral cavity; wherein the artificial prosthesis produces a zone of inhibition of growth of bacteria surrounding it.