Dental fillers, methods, and compositions including a phosphate salt

Abstract

The present application provides dental fillers, and methods of making and using dental fillers that include a treated surface that includes a phosphate salt. Dental compositions including such dental fillers can be useful for delivering ions to the oral environment. Dental compositions, and methods of using dental compositions that include a phosphate salt and a hardenable resin or a water-dispersible, polymeric film former are also provided.

1 . A dental filler comprising a treated surface, wherein the treated surface comprises a phosphate salt represented by the formula: 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
         where x=2-4; 
         each R is independently H or P(O)(O − ) 2 (M +n ) 2/n , with the proviso that at least one R group is P(O)(O − ) 2 (M +2n ) 2/n  and at least one R group is H; and 
         M is a metal of valence n. 
       
     
     
         2 . The dental filler of  claim 1 , where x=3. 
     
     
         3 . The dental filler of  claim 1 , wherein M is selected from the group consisting of Group 2 metals, Group 3 metals, transition metals, Lanthanides, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         4 . The dental filler of  claim 1 , wherein M is selected from the group consisting of Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, Zn, Ag, Zr, Sn, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         5 . The dental filler of  claim 4 , wherein M is Ca. 
     
     
         6 . The dental filler of  claim 1  wherein the treated surface is amorphous. 
     
     
         7 . The dental filler of  claim 1  wherein the treated surface is at least partially crystalline. 
     
     
         8 . The dental filler of  claim 1 , wherein the dental filler is porous. 
     
     
         9 . The dental filler of  claim 8 , wherein the porous dental filler is selected from the group consisting of porous particles, porous agglomerates of particles, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         10 . The dental filler of  claim 1 , wherein the dental filler comprises nanoparticles, agglomerates of nanoparticles, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         11 . The dental filler of  claim 1 , wherein the dental filler comprises metal oxides, metal fluorides, metal oxyfluorides, or combinations thereof; wherein the metal is an element selected from the group consisting of Groups 2-5 elements, Groups 12-15 elements, Lanthanide elements, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         12 - 14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . The dental filler of  claim 1 , wherein the dental filler comprises a glass, an amorphous material, or a crystalline material. 
     
     
         16 . The dental filler of  claim 1 , wherein the dental filler comprises a source of fluoride ions. 
     
     
         17 . The dental filler of  claim 16 , wherein the dental filler comprises a fluoroaluminosilicate glass. 
     
     
         18 . The dental filler of  claim 1 , wherein the treated surface further comprises a silane. 
     
     
         19 . The dental filler of  claim 1 , wherein the treated surface further comprises an antibacterial agent. 
     
     
         20 . The dental filler of  claim 1 , wherein the treated surface further comprises a source of fluoride ions. 
     
     
         21 - 39 . (canceled) 
     
     
         40 . A dental composition comprising a dental filler according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
         41 . The dental composition of  claim 40  further comprising an additional filler. 
     
     
         42 . The dental composition of  claim 40  further comprising water. 
     
     
         43 . The dental composition of  claim 40  further comprising a water-dispersible, polymeric film former. 
     
     
         44 . The dental composition of  claim 40  further comprising a hardenable resin. 
     
     
         45 . The dental composition of  claim 44 , wherein the hardenable resin comprises acid functionality. 
     
     
         46 . The dental composition of  claim 45 , wherein the acid functionality comprises carboxylic acid functionality, phosphoric acid functionality, phosphonic acid functionality, sulfonic acid functionality, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         47 . (canceled) 
     
     
         48 . The dental composition of  claim 44 , wherein the hardenable resin comprises an ethylenically unsaturated compound. 
     
     
         49 . The dental composition of  claim 48 , wherein the ethylenically unsaturated compound is selected from the group consisting of an ethylenically unsaturated compound with acid functionality, an ethylenically unsaturated compound without acid functionality, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         50 . The dental composition of  claim 40 , wherein the composition is selected from the group consisting of dental primers, dental adhesives, cavity liners, cavity cleansing agents, cements, coatings, varnishes, orthodontic adhesives, restoratives, sealants, desensitizers, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         51 - 91 . (canceled)