Dental compositions, mill blocks, and methods

Abstract

A dental composition comprising a polymerizable resin comprising ethylenically unsaturated groups; a thermally activated initiator dissolved in the resin; and an inorganic filler combined with the resin in an amount greater than about 60 percent by weight based upon the weight of the composition; wherein the initiator is activated at a temperature of about 100 to about 150° C. to provide free radicals; and wherein the filler has a surface area of at least about 65 square meters per gram filler; a dental mill block comprising the thermally cured composition, a method of manufacturing the dental mill block, and a kit comprising a plurality of the mill blocks are provided.

1 - 16 . (canceled) 
     
     
         17 . A composition comprising
 a resin comprising a polymerized ethylenically unsaturated group; and   nanoclusters comprising silica nanoparticles and at least one other metal oxide; wherein
 the nanoclusters are present in an amount of about 60 percent by weight or greater based upon the weight of the composition; and 
 the nanoclusters have a surface area of at least 65 square meters per gram. 
   
     
     
         18 . The composition of  claim 17 , wherein the composition is in the form of a dental mill block. 
     
     
         19 . The composition of  claim 17 , wherein the wherein the nanoclusters are present in an amount of at least 75 percent by weight based upon the weight of the composition. 
     
     
         20 . The composition of  claim 17 , wherein the surface area of the nanoclusters is at least 80 square meters per gram 
     
     
         21 . The composition of  claim 17 , wherein the resin comprises a polymerized compound selected from the group consisting of 2,2-bis[4-(2-hydroxy-3-methacryloyloxypropoxy)phenyl]propane (Bis-GMA), triethyleneglycol dimethacrylate (TEGDMA), urethane dimethacrylate (UDMA), 4 to 10 mole ethoxylated Bisphenol-A dimethacrylate (Bis-EMA), dimethacrylates of polyethylene glycols of 200 to 1000 weight average molecular weight, glycerol dimethacrylate, 1,3-propanediol dimethacrylate, and a combination thereof. 
     
     
         22 . A dental mill block comprising
 a compositing comprising
 a resin that comprises a polymerized ethylenically unsaturated group and 
 nanoclusters combined with the resin, wherein
 the nanoclusters are present in an amount of about 60 percent by weight or greater based upon the weight of the composition, 
 the nanoclusters have a surface area of at least 65 square meters per gram, and 
 the nanoclusters comprise silica nanoparticles and at least one other metal oxide. 
 
   
     
     
         23 . The dental mill block of  claim 22 , wherein the surface area of the nanoclusters is at least 80 square meters per gram 
     
     
         24 . The dental mill block of  claim 22 , wherein the nanoclusters are present in an amount of at least 75 percent by weight based upon the weight of the composition. 
     
     
         25 . The dental mill block of  claim 22 , wherein the at least one other metal oxide comprises heavy metal oxide, non-heavy metal oxide, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         26 . The dental mill block of  claim 22 , wherein the resin comprises a polymerized compound selected from the group consisting of 2,2-bis[4-(2-hydroxy-3-methacryloyloxypropoxy)phenyl]propane (Bis-GMA), triethyleneglycol dimethacrylate (TEGDMA), urethane dimethacrylate (UDMA), 4 to 10 mole ethoxylated Bisphenol-A dimethacrylate (Bis-EMA), dimethacrylates of polyethylene glycols of 200 to 1000 weight average molecular weight, glycerol dimethacrylate, 1,3-propanediol dimethacrylate, and a combination thereof. 
     
     
         27 . A kit comprising the mill block of  claim 22 .