Dental Filling Material and Endodontic Post

Abstract

An endodontic post comprising a dental filling material, wherein the filling material comprises a thermoplastic polymer. The thermoplastic polymer may be biodegradable. A bioactive substance may also be included in the filling material. The thermoplastic polymer acts as a matrix for the bioactive substance. The composition may include other polymeric resins, fillers, plasticizers and other additives typically used in dental materials. The filling material is used for the filing of root canals.

1 - 23 . (canceled)  
     
     
         24 . An endodontic post comprising: 
 a post section; and    a tip section, wherein the tip section comprises a filling material, wherein the filling material comprises a thermoplastic polymer having a bond strength when bonded to a root canal sealant equal to or greater than about 3 MPa; and    optionally, a bioactive filler.    
     
     
         25 . The endodontic post of  claim 24  wherein the tip section is integral to the post section.  
     
     
         26 . The endodontic post of  claim 24  wherein the post section is fabricated of metal, plastic, composite, ceramic, glass or polymeric material.  
     
     
         27 . The endodontic post of  claim 24  wherein the thermoplastic polymer comprises polylactides, polyglycolides, polycaprolactones, polyanhydrides, polyamides, polyurethanes, polyesteramides, polyorthoesters, polydioxanones, polyacetals, polyketals, polycarbonates, polyorthocarbonates, polyphosphazenes, polyhydroxybutyrates, polyhydroxyvalerates, polyalkylene oxalates, polyethylene oxides, polyacrylates/methacrylates, polyalkylene succinates, poly(malic acid) polymers, polymaleic anhydrides, poly(methylvinyl) ethers, poly(amino acids), chitin, chitosan, and copolymers, terpolymers, or combinations or mixtures thereof.  
     
     
         28 . The endodontic post of  claim 24  wherein the bioactive filler comprises bioglass, calcium phosphate, Portland cement, hydroxyapatite, tricalcium phosphate, a di- or polyphosphonic acid, an anti-estrogen, a sodium fluoride preparation, a substance having a phosphate to calcium ratio similar to natural bone, or mixtures thereof.  
     
     
         29 - 49 . (canceled)  
     
     
         50 . A filling material for cavities and root canals comprising: 
 a thermoplastic polymer matrix and an adhesive; and optionally, a bioactive filler;    wherein the filling material has a bond strength when bonded to a root canal sealant equal to or greater than about 3 MPa; and wherein the filling material cannot be mixed, kneaded, or pressed at room temperature;    wherein the bond strength between the filling material and the root canal sealant is measured by:    producing disks of filling material;    applying a cement sealant to the exposed side of the disks;    allowing the sealant to set;    debonding the samples with a push shear mold;    recording the maximum load at which the cement cylinders break from the sample surfaces; and    calculating the bond strengths using the load divided by the contact surface area of the cement cylinder.    
     
     
         51 . The filling material of  claim 50  wherein a Bencor test device is used to debond the samples.  
     
     
         52 . The filling material of  claim 50  wherein the disks are mounted in a mounting material before the application of a cement sealant to an exposed side.  
     
     
         53 . The filling of material of  claim 50  wherein gelatin capsules are applied to the cement sealant to hold the cement sealant under a load of 500 grams.  
     
     
         54 . The filling material of  claim 50  wherein producing disks of filling material comprises softening the filling material and placing it in to steel molds to produce sample disks having a diameter of 15 mm and a thickness of 1.2 mm.  
     
     
         55 . The filling material of  claim 50  wherein the Bencor test device comprises a crosshead for debonding the samples and the speed of the crosshead is about 0.02 in/minute.