Dental repair material

Abstract

The invention is directed to an improved dental composition useful in the repair of cavities, apex repairs, root perforations and root canals. Disclosed is a dental composition and dental composition additive which have improved handling characteristics, for example improved viscosity and setting time. The addition of effective amounts of a modified cellulose and calcium chloride to available dental repair compounds, such as mineral trioxide compound, results in the improved dental composition without affecting the other characteristics of the dental repair compound.

1 . A dental repair composition comprising a dental repair compound, a divalent cation—halogen salt and a cellulose-derivative polymer, wherein the composition has higher viscosity and lower setting time relative to the dental repair compound without the divalent cation—halogen salt and the cellulose-derivative polymer.  
   
   
       2 . The dental repair composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the dental repair compound is a mineral trioxide aggregate (“MTA”) or a Portland cement.  
   
   
       3 . The dental repair composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the divalent cation—halogen salt is calcium chloride.  
   
   
       4 . The dental repair composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the cellulose-derivative polymer is methyl-cellulose.  
   
   
       5 . The dental repair composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the divalent cation—halogen salt concentration is between 0.1% and 20% by weight inclusively.  
   
   
       6 . The dental repair composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the cellulose-derivative polymer concentration is between 0.1% and 20% by weight inclusively.  
   
   
       7 . A compound additive consisting essentially of a divalent cation—halogen salt and a cellulose-derivative polymer, whereby upon addition of the compound additive to a dental repair compound a compound admixture is created, the compound admixture having a shorter setting time and a higher viscosity than the dental repair compound.  
   
   
       8 . The compound additive according to  claim 7 , wherein the cellulose-derivative polymer is at a concentration of between 0.1% and 50% inclusively by weight.  
   
   
       9 . The compound additive according to  claim 7 , wherein the divalent cation—halogen salt is at a concentration of between 0.1% and 55% inclusively by weight.  
   
   
       10 . The compound additive according to  claim 7 , wherein the dental repair compound is any one of either Portland cement or MTA.  
   
   
       11 . The compound additive according to  claim 7 , wherein the divalent cation—halogen salt is calcium chloride.  
   
   
       12 . The compound additive according to  claim 7 , wherein the cellulose-derivative polymer is methyl-cellulose.  
   
   
       13 . A method of producing a compound additive, the compound additive comprising a divalent cation—halogen salt and a cellulose-derivative polymer, the method comprising the steps of 
 a. combining 3 parts divalent cation—halogen salt with 1 part water by weight to produce a salt solution, then    b. heating one half of the solution to 80° C. and keeping one half of the solution at room temperature, then    c. combining 3 parts cellulose-derived polymer to 4 parts of the one half of the solution that was heated to 80° C. by weight to produce a warm salt-polymer solution, then    d. combining the one half of the solution at room temperature to the warm salt-polymer solution to produce a homogeneous mixture, then    e. allowing the homogeneous mixture to thicken by chilling the homogeneous mixture, then    f. stirring the homogeneous mixture for an effective amount of time to create a homogenous gel, the homogeneous gel being the compound additive.    
   
   
       14 . A method of producing the dental repair composition of  claim 1 , the method comprising the steps of: 
 a. producing a compound additive according to the method of  claim 13 , then    b. combining the compound additive with a dental repair compound.    
   
   
       15 . A method of filling a tooth cavity, comprising the steps of 
 a. identifying the cavity of the tooth to be filled;    b. preparing the tooth to be filled,    c. preparing a dental repair composition as set forth in  claim 14 ,    d. introducing the dental repair composition into the tooth cavity whereby the path of communication between a inner portion of the cavity and the outer surface of the tooth is sealed.    
   
   
       16 . A method of treating tooth decay, comprising the steps of: 
 a. identifying the decay;    b. removing the decay to create a cavity to be filled;    c. preparing a dental repair composition according to  claim 14;  and    d. introducing the dental repair composition into the cavity whereby the path of communication between an inner portion of the cavity and the outer surface of the tooth is sealed.    
   
   
       17 . A method of performing root canal therapy on a tooth, comprising the steps of: 
 a. removing a portion of the tooth to expose the root canal,    b. preparing the root canal to be filled;    c. preparing a dental repair composition according to  claim 14;  and    d. introducing the dental repair composition into the root canal whereby the path of communication between the root canal and the outer surface of the tooth is sealed.    
   
   
       18 . A method of apicoectomy on a tooth comprising the steps of 
 a. removing the apex of a root of the tooth whereby the root canal of the tooth is exposed,    b. preparing a root end cavity in the tooth;    c. preparing a dental repair composition according to  claim 14;  and    d. filling the root end cavity with the dental repair composition whereby the path of communication between the canal and the outer surface of the tooth is sealed.    
   
   
       19 . A method of sealing a root perforation which has created a path of communication between a canal of the tooth and an outer surface of the tooth, said method comprising the steps of 
 a. identifying the root perforation;    b. preparing the root perforation for placement of a dental repair composition therein    c. preparing a dental repair composition according to  claim 14;  and    d. filling the root perforation with the dental repair composition whereby said dental repair composition seals the path of communication between the outer surface of the tooth and the canal of the tooth.    
   
   
       20 . A kit comprising a dental repair compound in a first package, a compound additive according to  claim 8  in a second package, and a set of instructions.