A Novel Polymerizable Amine Co-Initiator for Dental Application

University of Kansas Technology Overview
The current invention is a novel composition of matter that is comprised of a monomeric species, which could be used as co-initiator as well as co-monomer. Upon excitation using visible light, the monomeric species efficiently assists the photopolymerization and itself polymerizes into a material that is useful for dental applications.
The invention involves a tertiary amine that can be used as both a co-initiator and co-monomer for dental applications. The tertiary amine contains three methacrylate-urethane groups. When it was used as co-initiator, it prevents amine leaching from resulted polymers; when it was used as co-monomer, it increases relative crosslinking density of polymers.
The current invention indicates that conversion of monomer to the polymer is extremely efficient and comparable to commonly used photo-initiators. It prevents amine leaching from the polymers compared to current art in the field. The rate of conversion is decreased compared to current art in the field which may lead to decreased polymerization shrinkage. Learn more about this technology by downloading the published white paper.
The compound of the invention is used in conjunction with two other compounds widely used in the dental polymer field. The system is irradiated with visible light and the system polymerizes and hardens to form a material suitable for dental applications.
Benefits
The current invention prevents amine leaching from resulted polymers. The polymer forms with a comparable degree of conversion as known co-initiators.
The good chemical stability and comparable degree of conversion prevent amine leaching from polymers and offer higher relative crosslinking density for polymers when it was used as co-monomer. The slower kinetics of the current invention might reduce the polymerization shrinkage.
For more information: A published white paper is available to view online.
Applications
The current invention has applications in the dental field as a dentin cement, adhesive or aesthetic composite restorative.
The compound, as a polymer, can be used in any field in which a polymeric substance that decreases polymerization shrinkage and prevents amine leaching might be useful.
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