Synthesis and Application of Novel Multi-arm Poly(carboxylic acid)s for Glass-ionomer Restoratives

We have developed a novel glass-ionomer cement system composed of multi-arm poly(acrylic acid-co-itaconic acid)s. These polyacids were synthesized via a chain-transfer polymerization reaction using newly synthesized multi-arm chain-transfer agents. The cements formulated with the multi-arm polyacids showed significantly lower viscosities in water as compared to those formulated with the linear polyacids. Due to the lower viscosities, the MW of the polyacids can be significantly increased for enhanced mechanical strengths, while keeping the ease of mixing and handling. The experimental cements showed significantly improved compressive strengths as compared to Fuji II after aged in water for 3 months.