Enzymatically and hydrolytically stable resins, resin monomers, and resin composites for use in dental preventive and restorative applications

1. A composition of matter, comprising:

one or more functionalized vinylbenzyl components of the formula

covalently connected to one or more R functional components, wherein n is an integer equal to 1 or greater than 1;

the one or more R functional components are selected from a group consisting of:

one or more hydroxyl methyl (—CHOH—) moieties and/or derivatives thereof, N-(2-hydroxypropyl)-N-(p-styryl)glycine, N-(2-hydroxypropyl)-N-(phenyl)glycine, N-(2-hydroxypropyl)-N-(p-tolyl)glycine, N-(2-hydroxypropyl)-N-(3,5-dimethylphenyl)glycine, and N-(2-hydroxypropyl)-N-(vinylbenzyl)glycine, wherein each may be acidic, anionic, or preferably a salt of one or more members of the group consisting of sodium, magnesium, calcium and strontium, and

one or more benzene (C6H6) and/or derivatives thereof; and

ether links that connect the functionalized vinylbenzyl components and the R functional components; wherein X is chosen from a group consisting of a hydrogen and one or more functional moieties, and the functional moieties consist of one or more elements chosen from a group consisting of: —CH 3 , —C 2 H 5 , —OCH 3 , —CF 3 , —F, —Cl, —Br, —CN, —C 2 H 5 , —C 3 H 7 , —C 4 H 9 , —OC 2 H 5 , —OC 3 H 7 , and —OC 4 H 9 .

2. The composition of matter of claim 1 , wherein the functionalized vinylbenzyloxy(s) and the R components(s) are linked through one or more moieties chosen from a group consisting of:

alkyl (—CH 2 —, —C 3 H 6 —, —C(i-propyl) 2 -, and —C 4 H 8 —);

alkoxy (—OCH 2 —, —OC 3 H 6 —, and −OC 4 H 8 —); —C(CN) 2 —;

hydroxyl substituted alkyl (—(CHOH)—); and

halide substituted alkyl (—C(CCl 3 ) 2 —, —C(CBr 3 ) 2 —, and —C(CF 3 ) 2 —).

3. The composition of claim 1 , wherein the functional moieties slow down the rate of polymerization.

4. The composition of matter of claim 1 ,

wherein the functional moieties accelerate the rate of polymerization.

5. The composition of matter of claim 1 ,

wherein the R functional components contain hydroxyl methyl (—CHOH—) moieties, and the ether links are formed through reactions of the functionalized vinylbenzyl halides and the primary hydroxyl moieties of one of the compounds of the group consisting of glycerol, erythritol, xylitol, mannitol, and sorbitol, in the presence of a strong base, preferably sodium hydride, and

wherein the secondary hydroxyl group(s) are protected by protection groups while the ether links are formed, and the protection groups are removed after the ether links are formed.

6. The composition of matter of claim 1 ,

wherein the R functional components contain hydroxyl methyl (—CHOH—) moieties and the ether links are formed through reactions of the functionalized vinylbenzyl halides and hydroxyl moieties of one of the compounds of the group consisting of glycerol, erythritol, xylitol, mannitol, and sorbitol, in the presence of a strong base, preferably sodium hydride, and

wherein the mole amount(s) of functionalized vinylbenzyl halides is adjusted to be within a range of the mole amount of primary hydroxyls and the mole amount of primary hydroxyls plus secondary hydroxyl moieties (—CHOH—).

7. The composition of matter of claim 1 ,

wherein the ether link preferably is formed from a reaction of functionalized vinylbenzyl glycidyl ether with members of the group consisting of N(H)-(p-styryl)glycine, N(H)-(phenyl)glycine, N(H)-(p-tolyl)glycine, N(H)-(3,5-dimethylphenyl)glycine, and N(H)-(vinylbenzyl)glycine,

wherein each may be anionic, or a salt of one or more members of the group consisting of sodium, magnesium, calcium and strontium, and

wherein an ether link connects each of the functionalized vinylbenzyl groups with each of these R functional moieties.

8. A composition of matter consisting of one monomer or a mixture of monomers defined in claim 1 or claim 2 .

9. The composition of matter of claim 8 , wherein the resin monomer(s) are used with cyanoacrylate based, methacrylate based, or epoxy based monomers or polymers.

10. The composition of matter of claim 8 , wherein the monomers are used as dental materials with or without reinforcing fillers as restorative materials, fabrication of laminate veneers, denture repairing materials, dental adhesives, resin reinforced cements, resins for bonding ceramic restorations, and sealants.

11. The composition of matter of claim 9 , wherein the resin monomers are used as dental materials that are used with or without fillers as restorative materials, laminate veneers, denture repairing materials, dental adhesives, resin reinforce cements, placement of ceramic restorations, and sealants.

12. A composition of matter made by polymerizing the resin monomers of claim 8 using methods comprising free-radical polymerization, cationic polymerization, or anionic polymerization.

13. A composition of matter made by polymerizing the resin monomers of claim 9 using methods comprising free-radical polymerization, cationic polymerization or anionic polymerization.

14. The composition of matter of claim 12 used as dental materials that are used as restorative materials, laminate veneers, denture repairing materials, and sealants.

15. The composition of matter of claim 13 used as dental materials that are used as restorative materials, laminate veneers, denture repairing materials, dental adhesives, resin reinforced cements, resin bonding of ceramic restorations, and sealants.