CA2310818A1

CA2310818A1 - Dental treatment methods

Info

Publication number: CA2310818A1
Application number: CA002310818A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Michail Lytinas
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1998-08-10
Filing date: 1999-08-06
Publication date: 2000-02-24
Also published as: EP1027007A4; EP1027007A1; WO2000009030A1; AU5342099A

Abstract

Disclosed are two methods for coating teeth so as to protect the tooth surfaces from caries and periodontal diseases and optionally paints teeth at a desired color. The anti-caries protection is due to the blocking of the enamel minerals that exit the enamel in order to balance the acidic environment that is created by the bacteria acids. The periodontal diseases protection is due to the low surface tension that is created after the application of specific substances on the enamel, i.e., makes the enamel more slippery. The painting effect comes from the colors that the applied substances have. One embodiment includes three steps: etching of the teeth, application of the protective and painting substance and sealing of the teeth (optional). Another embodiment relates to the implantation of a material in the outer layer of the tooth enamel or dentin or cementum and involves an implantable material, polymer or ceramic, fixed in place by use of a dental laser or a flame. This method also includes three steps: the dental tissue is etched and dried, the material is applied into the tissue, the laser beam or the flame melts the material into the tissue and finally the irradiated spot is air dried.

Description

DENTAL TREATMENT METHODS
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Two related methods of treating the teeth are presented herein. The first embodiment of the present invention relates to a teeth-coating method that protects teeth from caries and periodontal diseases along with giving color to them. The method includes three steps: create space into the teeth by etching them, apply the protecting and coloring substances and sealing of the teeth (optional). The protection is due to the blocking of the dental enamel minerals that exit from teeth in order to balance the pH of the tooth environment (anti-caries) and due to the low surface tension that these substances create in the enamel surface which make the enamel practically uncollonizable by the bacteria (anti-periodontal diseases). The coloring is due to the colors that these substances can have. By applying these substances, the teeth are practically painted in a desired color, at the same time that they are protected.
The second embodiment of the present invention relates to the implantation of a material in the outer layer of the tooth enamel or dentin or cementum and involves an implantable material, polymer or ceramic, fixed in place by use of a dental laser or a flame. This method also includes three steps: the dental tissue is etched and dried, the material is applied into the tissue, the laser beam or the flame melts the material into the tissue and finally the irradiated spot is air dried.
This method protects the teeth from dental caries and periodontal diseases, paints the teeth at a desired shade and the implantable material can be used as a filling material itself.
The protection of the teeth from caries is due to the blocking of the dental minerals that exit the tooth in order to balance the pH of the tooth environment.

-2-The protection from periodontal diseases is due to the low surface tension that the impiantable materials create in the enamel surface which make the enamel practically uncolonizable to the bacteria. The painting of the teeth is due to the shades that the implantable materials have and can be used to give the teeth a desired tint. A material with properties similar to the enamel or dentin or cementum can be used as a filling material itself in dental cavities.
Defining the etiology of dental caries and periodontal diseases is the primary purpose. Dental research has proved the significance of the microflora and its causation to dental caries and periodontal diseases. Bacteria populations first colonize the teeth's surfaces and then they produce acids. Due to these acids, the new environment between enamel and bacteria has a newly formed lower pH, which causes the enamel to lose mineral content. This interaction takes place from the enamel to the bacteria and starts from the intraprismatic area, between the rods of the hydroxyapatite. The continuous loss of the enamel minerals leads eventually to a decayed or carious tooth. These same acids also interact with periodontal tissues. If the colonies are not mechanically removed by a toothbrush or a dentist, they become bigger, more organized and gram negative, making the acids which they produce, stronger. As a result, these acids enter the gums causing inflammation, which can lead to bone loss and / or eventually to tooth loss.
The shade of the teeth is a very important esthetic factor. Liquids like coffee and cola, use of tetracycline in pregnancy and in eaxly childhood, aging, endodontic treatment and many other staining factors darken the teeth. To this problem, dental bleaching gives an answer. This technique, though, has several defects.
Rebound of the shade, sensitivity of the tooth, existing bleaching materials do not blcach composite restorations or, in some cases they have no results at all.
The interface between the restorative material and the tooth is a well studied field. Many compounds like composites, ceramics or even amalgam are in use today having the same problems: the microleakage and the wear of the restoration.
These problems arise from the difference of the properties between the tooth tissues and

-3-the restorative materials. Different coefficient of linear thermal expansion, different hardness, different tear strength are some of the most important factors that lead the restoration to failure.
In order to prevent dental caries and periodontal diseases scientists had previously followed two directions:
1. The co-operation with the patient, 2. The intervention in oral health of the individuals without co-operation.
The co-operation with the patient includes oral hygiene for the plaque control (brushing, flossing, fluoride rinses, gels) and dietary control.
Sometimes it is necessary to change the whole nutritional habits of a certain population.
The scientifically based intervention in oral health submits plaque control, fluoridation of the water, dental-induced application of fluoride and sealants for the enhancement of the enamel.
Fluoride prevents dental caries in two ways:
1: When applied to the enamel, it is believed that fluoride makes the enamel less soluble to bacteria acids, by penetrating the enamel and changing hydroxyapatite to fluoroapatite.
2: Blocks the enolase, an enzyme that enhances the metabolic activity of the bacteria.
Oral hygiene prevents dental caries and periodontal diseases by removing the dental plaque. No bacteria .populations means no damage to the tooth. It is important to brush teeth after every meal in order to remove especially the sugars of the food, that are one of the most important factor for the adherence of the

-4-bacteria to the enamel. This is due to sugars high-energy chemical bond (Gh~-6600ca1/mole) which is used form the bacteria to their multiplicity, and due also to the capability of the sugars to adhere smooth-like surfaces, like enamel surface.
According to these directions caries and periodontal diseases should have been eliminated. It is a fact that the prevalence of these diseases has been decreased, especially in children, but we are far from postulating that there is no caries or periodontal diseases any more.
The reasons are the ineffectiveness of the fluoride-oriented preventive treatment and the unwillingness of the individual to follow an everyday oral hygiene. Practically, decayed teeth or periodontal diseases do appear in very clean oral cavities.
The results of fluoride application are not only the enhanced ffuorided hydroxy apatite of the enamel but also CaF2 and 6(CaHP04) which are very soluble to saliva. This explains why most of the fluoride dissolves in minutes after its application to teeth. On the other hand, the fluoride blocks the enolase when it is in an ionic phase, something which rarely happens, because most of the fluoride immediately bonds with the minerals of the plaque and become inactive. These are mainly the reasons why most of today's teeth protective techniques are eventually ineffective.
Sealants have used to prevent pit and fissures caries in children. The preventive value of sealant have been thoroughly examined and proved. The problem, though, of caries and periodontal diseases still exists, especially in adult population.
On the other hand nobody can force a patient to comply with the oral hygiene methods. This unwillingness of the individuals leads to longer exposure of the enamel to the bacteria acids and respectively to caries and periodontal diseases.

-5-The critical pH (5.3-5.5) of the dental plaque and the enamel surface must not be decreased for long time. When this happens, minerals from the enamel move towards the dental plaque to balance the new environment's conditions. .After minutes this pH returns to its previous number. That means that the enamel starts to be remineralized again from the saliva adjustment mechanisms. This remineralization takes 3-5 hours to be completed. If between these hours, a second decrease of the pH occurs -due to food- the enamel doesn't have time to complete remineralization. This results in a second minerals offering, which finally weakens the enamel and create caries.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention eliminates all these problems because the protective substance is embedded into the teeth and sealed there. It changes the environmental conditions by making the enamel practically unsoluble to the bacteria acids (blocking the enamel minerals) and making the colonization~of the teeth nearly impossible (low surface tension).
In the first preferred embodiment, the present invention is a teeth-coating method that protects teeth from caries and periodontal diseases and at the same time paints the teeth. There are three steps:
a. Etching of the teeth. There are already known etching techniques that dentists use in today's dentistry. Etching gels or etching liquids including phosphoric and citric acids or others that can be easily applied to the teeth.
Laser induced etching can be also used with various types of laser beams. The teeth are all over etched in all their surfaces especially the more sensitive ones like interproximal and in pits and fissures. If there is periodontitis involved in a certain tooth, even cementum must be etched in order to be later coated and protected.
The depth of the etching is ~ closely related to the penetration ability of the application technique (step #2) and the penetration ability of the substance that will be used in the second step. That depth varies from a few microns to half a

-6-millimeter.
b. Application of the substance. This substance can be a polymer or a salt that contains fluoride or metals. The application technique is electrophoresis, spraying or just application of the substance to the teeth. The application technique is related to the nature of the substance, i.e. to the penetration ability of the spec substance into the enamel. If a substance can give a polar solution, electrophoresis is the best application technique. If a substance can be sprayed, spraying is the best solution. Every technique is accepted if can result in a minimum penetration into the enamel. After the application of the particular substance, a second light etching is needed, in order to create some space for the sealing. This step is not necessary if there is space-left. In case the used substance has sealing or glazing characteristics the following step is not necessary.
c. Sealing of the teeth. After the application of the protective and coloring substance the teeth must be sealed. Various glazes, curable or not, can be~
used, in order to seal the teeth.
The protective substances may advantageously also have color additives, so that their application into the teeth leads to the cosmetic painting of the teeth.
Various types of white color or other colors can be used to add a new tint to the teeth.
Today's whitening methods are based in the hydroxy peroxide that oxidizes the enamel minerals resulting in the bleaching of the teeth. This bleaching method is not sufficient because the teeth turn dark again in a few weeks, due to the color of the coffee, the food, or the cigarette.
The present invention is not based on the oxidation of the enamel minerals but practically paints the tooth in the desired color. The same substances that are used for the protection of the teeth can be used to give a desired color to the teeth.
The new color Iasts longer than the simple bleaching because the discoloration of

-7-the food and the drinks cannot be attached to the teeth due to the newly formed low surface tension.
The second preferred embodiment of the present invention relates to the implantation of a thermoplastic polymer or a ceramic into the outer layer of the dental enamel, dentin or cementum. This method includes three steps:
1. The dental tissue is etched and dried. The part of the tooth that is etched depends on the application. For caries and periodontal diseases protection, the whole tooth must be etched especially interproximally arid in pits and fissures.
For the painting of the teeth the etched space relies on the esthetic ideal, because the etched space will accept the desired shade. For the use of a ceramic or a specific polymer as a filling material the etched part is defined by the margins of the restoration. The drying of the etched tooth is performed after the etching and can be done by air or a lower wattage laser beam.
2. The application of the specific material for the specific application is performed by air spraying the material into the etched dental tissue. The material must be in fine powder so that it can permeate the etched tooth especially between the hydroxyapatite rods.
3. The proper laser beam, adjusted in the proper settings for every application, scans the tooth and melts the material instantaneously into the tooth.
Right after the melting, the lased part of the tooth is air dried. The flame must reach the melting point of each material and must not damage the material or the tissue from overheating.
In the second preferred embodiment of the present invention, the problems of the past are eliminated because:
a. the implanted material blocks the exit of the dental minerals from the enamel and especially the intraprismatic space of the enamel -anti canes _g_ protection;
b. the implanted material has very high chemical resistance and creates a very low surface tension to the tooth tissues which make the tooth uncolonizable to the bacteria -anti periodontal diseases protection;
c. the implanted materials have a broad range in colors and can be used to give the teeth the desired shade-painting method;
d. the implanted material creates an alloy with the tooth tissues as it is co-melted with them, making the restoration, a part of the tooth -restorative material.
In the second preferred embodiment, the implantable material is a polymer or a ceramic that can be melted into the tooth. For caries and perio protection the polymers are preferable because of the excellent chemical resistance and the low surface tension that create to the tooth enamel, making it uncolonizable to bacteria. For the painting of the teeth the polymers are preferable again because of the versatility of their use and the wide shade range that they have. For dental restorations the ceramics are preferable because of the non-existence of microleakage -due to the co-melting of the ceramic and the tissue- and the vicinity of properties between dental tissues and ceramics.
The Iaser beam must be adjusted to the properties of every dental tissue to which it refers. The wavelength of the laser must be the same that every dental tissue absorbs (i.e., 9.3 - 9.6 ~cm for the enamel or 6-7.5 ,um for the dentin). This fact gives the dentist the opportunity to heat the dental tissue to that point where each material melts. The specific wavelength which every dental tissue fully absorbs makes that specific tissue unable to transmit the laser wave deeper into the tooth and consequently hurt the pulp of the tooth.
Every dental tissue has a specific thermal damage envelope. The melting of _g_ the implantable material -polymer or ceramic- must coordinate with this envelope.
That means that the melting of the material must happen instantaneously in order to avoid the damage of the tissue which can arise from prolonged time of irradiation.
The thermal relaxation time of every tissue must be followed too. Therefore, the laser beam, can be either pulsed or continuous. That depends on the application. For laser melting the pulsed mode is preferable because it gives the tooth time to coo, especially in the restorative application. For laser drying after etching even continuous mode can be used because of the low wattage of the laser.
The flame must reach the melting point of each material and must not char or damage the implantable material or the tissue.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
As described above, the first preferred embodiment of the present invention is a teeth-coating method that protects teeth from dental caries and periodontal diseases and optionally also paints teeth at a desired color. This coating method consists of the following steps:
a. etching the teeth, far example by acid, laser, or other methods available to dentists;
b. application of the protective substance and any optionally desired coloring substance to the etched teeth, by any of the methods available to dentists.
c. sealing the teeth, by any of the methods available to dentists. This step depends on the nature of the protective and coloring substance because many substances have sealing characteristics. If that happens, additional sealing is not necessary.
The etching of the teeth can be performed by the already known techniques, e.g., acid or laser induced. The etching step is essential because there must be enough space for the second step, the application of the protective substances.
The entire exposed surface of the teeth must be etched, in order to provide adequate protection. Another etching procedure that can be employed herein is the "air abrasion" option. These techniques are discussed in detail in the dental literature, and several references are recited below.
For acid etching, commonly employed materials include phosphoric acid, malefic acid, citric acid, pyruvic acid, and the like. For laser etching, common lasers used are the C02, Nd/Yag, Ar:F and others.
Advantageously, known techniques are used for an overall etching, at a sufficient depth that will accommodate the protective substances and any optional colorants. Special care should also be given to those places that are more prone to develop caries like interproximateiy and in pits and fissures, or in the places that already have or are more prone to develop periodontitis (in some cases even cementum must be protected). The etching depth is closely related to the penetration ability and the application technique of the protective substances which will be applied after the etching step. Finally, the quality of the tooth enamel is another factor, which will vary on a patient by patient basis.
Usually, an, etching depth of about 50 microns (,um) is adequate for most aspects of the present invention.
The application of the protective substance (and optional coloring substances) can be performed by various techniques depending on the nature of the substance used. Electrophoresis, spraying, or any other technique that results in the penetration of the substance into the enamel. This penetration can vary from a few microns to half a millimeter depending on the etching technique that is previously used and the penetration ability that every substance has. The total depth of the penetration is closely related to the protection degree that every substance has. More protective characteristics mean less depth and vice versa.
Commonly employed protective substances include the water soluble polymers (xanthan and others), other polymers, salts (e.g., ZnF, CaF, NaF and others), oxides (ZrOz, Ti02 and others), cellulose products (cellulose acetate and others), proteins, polyurethane solid coatings, composites (Bisphenol A-Glycidyl Methacrylate and others), resins (Bis-GMA and others).
The final step is the sealing of the teeth. This step is necessary when protective substances with no sealing characteristics were previously used, and not necessary in case of protective substances with self sealing characteristics.
The sealing materials generally require some space in order to be applied, so if the protective (and optional colorant) substance has filled every space in the teeth, a second light etching will be required before the sealing. The sealing can be curable, like the already known glazes in dentistry or not. The sealing must hermetically seal the tooth's surface. One commonly employed sealer is available under the brand name "Fortify." Other sealers are also known and commercially available.
In the second preferred embodiment of the invention, a thermoplastic polymer or a meltable ceramic material is implanted into the tooth. The implantable polymer or ceramic, in fine powder, is air sprayed into the acid etched and laser dried tooth. A specific laser or a flame, adjusted in the proper settings, scans the tooth and instantaneously melts the polymer or the ceramic. The application ends with the air drying of the lased part of the tooth night after the melting.
The etching of the dental enamel, dentin or cementum is performed by acid or laser. Already used etching acids like phosphoric acid, malefic acid, citric acid, pyruvic acid can be used for this step. The laser etching can also be used, although not preferably, because of the melting that creates to the dental tissues.
After the ._ etching the etched dental tissue is dried by air or by laser. The laser is preferable because it does not create the piston phenomenon. In this case the air that flows into the intraprismatic area cannot reach and dry the bottom part of the tags because of the existing amount of air that is already pressed there in a higher pressure than the pressure of the air spray. The drying laser follows the same rules with the melting Iaser in a lower wattage.
The application of the implantable polymer or ceramic is performed by air spraying the material into the etched part of the tooth. The polymer or the ceramic is in fine powder so that it can permeate the tooth and rest into the tooth, especially between the rods of the apatite. The polymers that can be used must be thermoplastic in order to be melted using the laser or the flame. The melting point of the polymers and the ceramics must not exceed the melting point of the dental tissue that will be implanted in. The maximum melting point that any implantable material can have is the melting point of the dental tissue that will be implanted in. The material that is used every time, after the laser and the air drying, does not override the level of the tooth structure except the special polymer or the ceramic that is used as a restorative material and involves the co-melting of the material and the dental tissue. That includes mostly polymers that will be melted into the dental tissue -and their properties, especially wear resistance and tear strength are not close to the dental tissue's. In case of using this method for restorative purposes, the final level of the newly formed alloy (the dental tissue and the ceramic or some polymers) is the same. In this case the amount of the dental tissue that is removed from the etching corresponds to the amount of the material that is deposited and the result after the laser irradiation is an alloy of dental tissue and implanted material (ceramic or special polymer) that has the same dimensions with the part of the tooth where the application took place.
The laser or the flame is used actually to instantaneously heat the dental tissue yr the implantable material (depends on the application) to a specific point where the melting point of the implantable material stands. The flame must not exceed the melting point of the implantable material. The laser -preferably used for restorative reasons- follows the thermal damage envelope of every dental tissue that will be used on. The wavelength of the laser that will be applied in any dental tissue must be fully absorbed by the specific dental tissue so that the laser energy is not transmitted into the pulp of the tooth. For example the wavelength that is fully absorbed by the enamel is 9.3-9.6 ~cm and can be delivered by a C0~ dental laser.
The wattage of the laser relates to the energy that the implantable material needs to be melted into the dental tissue or maximum needs the dental tissue along with the ceramic or the polymer to be melted together. The mode of the laser -continuous or pulsed- depends on the implantable materials and the thermal relaxation time of every dental tissue. For laser drying, continuous mode is preferable because the wattage is very low. For laser melting, pulsed mode is preferable because it gives the tooth time to cool. The spot diameter of the laser beam or the flame plays an important role in the amount of energy that is deposited into the dental tissue and can vary from 0.1 mm (for pits and fissuresj to I.5 mm for the wider areas of the tooth.
The drying of the melted material into the tooth is performed by air spraying.
Right after the laser beam melts the polymer or the ceramic into the tooth, an air spray follows to cool down the tooth area that has accepted the implantation.
This cooling down turns -progressively- the temperature of the irradiated spot back to the normal level.
The thermoplastic polymers that can be used in this invention are all the polymers that can be melted by a laser or a flame and their melting point does not exceed the melting point of the dental tissue that will receive this implantation. The ceramics follow the same rule. Every ceramic compound can be used if it can be melted by a laser or a flame and its melting point does not exceed the melting point of the dental tissue that will receive the implantation.
The following references are provided as additional information to assist the skilled artisan in further understanding and utilizing the present invention.
The documents cited below are hereby incorporated herein by reference.
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18. Frentzen M. Winkelstrater C. van Benthem H. Koort HJ. The effects of pulsed ultraviolet and infra-red lasers on dental enamel. European Journal of Prosthodontics & Restorative Dentistry. 4(3}:99-104, 1996 Sep.

19. Westerman GH. Hicks MJ. Flaitz CM. Powell GL. Blankenau RJ. Surface morphology of sound enamel after argon laser irradiation: an in vitro scanning electron microscopic study. Journal of Clinical Pediatric Dentistry. 21(1):55-9, 1996 Fall. Health Sciences Library (Boston).

20. Zentner A. Duschner H. Structural changes of acid etched enamel examined under confocal laser scanning microscope. Journal of Orofacial Orthopedics. 57(4):202-9, 1996 Aug. 96345793

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22. Emami Z. al-Khateeb S. de Josselin de Jong E. Sundstrom F. Trollsas K.
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24. Stratmann U. Schaarschmidt K. Schurenberg M. Ehmer U. The effect of ArF-excimer laser irradiation of the human enamel surface on the band strength of orthodontic appliances. Scanning Microscopy. 9(2):469-?6; discussion 476-8, 1995 Jun.

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References for air abrasion

30 PCT/US99117879 1. Awliya W. Oden A. Yaman P. Dennison JB. Razzoog ME. Shear bond strength of a resin cement to densely sintered high-purity alumina with various surface conditions. Acta Odontologica Scandinavica. 56(1):9-13, 1998 Feb.
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WO 00/09030 PC'T/US99/17$79 16. Berry EA 3rd. Ward M. Bond strength of resin composite to air-abraded enamel. Quintessence International. 26(8):559-62, 1995 Aug. Health Sciences Library (Boston).
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59(2):160-5, 1988 Feb. Health Sciences Library (Boston).
References for acid-etching 1. A. Buonocore MG. A simple method of increasing the adhesion of acrylic filling materials to enamel surfaces. J. Dent. Res 1955; 34:849-853.
2. B. Gwinnett AJ. Matsui A. A study of enamel adhesives. The physical relationship between enamel and adhesive. Arch. Oral Biol 1967; 12:1615-1620 3. C. Retief DH. Effect of conditioning the enamel surface with phosphoric acid. J. Dent. Res. 1973; 52:333-341 4. D. Gwinnett AJ. Histologic changes in human enamel following treatment with acidic adhesive conditioning agents. Arch Oral Biol 1971; 16:731-?38 5. E. Silverstone LM, Saxton CA, Dogon IL, Fejerskov O. Variation in the pattern of acid etching of human dental enamel examined by scanning electron microscopy. Caries Res 1975; 9:373-387 6. F. Seow WK. Amaratunge A. The effects of acid-etching on enamel from different clinical variants of amelogenesis imperfecta: an SEM study.
Pediatric Dentistry. 20(1):37-42, 1998 Jan-Feb. Health Sciences Library (Boston).
7. Seow WK. Amaratunge A. The effects of acid-etching on enamel from different clinical variants of amelogenesis imperfecta: an SEM study.
Pediatric Dentistry. 20(1):37-42, 1998 Jan-Feb. Health Sciences Library (Boston).
8. Zyskind D. Zyskind K. Hirschfeld Z. Fuks AB. Effect of etching on leakage of sealants placed after air abrasion. Pediatric Dentistry. 20(1):25-7, 1998 Jan-Feb. Health Sciences Library (Boston).
9. Moritz A. Gutknecht N. Schoop U. Goharkhay K. Wernisch J. Sperr W.
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11. Ariyaratnam MT. Wilson MA. Mackie IC. Blinkhorn AS. A comparison of surface roughness and composite/enamel bond strength of human enamel following the application of the Nd:YAG laser and etching with phosphoric acid.
Dental Materials. 13(1):51-5, 1997 Jan. Health Sciences Library (Boston).
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111(4):366-73, 1997 Apr. Health Sciences Library (Boston).
14. Chung KH. Hwang YC. Bonding strengths of porcelain repair systems with various surface treatments. Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry. 78(3):267-74, 1997 Sep. Health Sciences Library (Boston).
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16. Kuhar M. Cevc P. Schara M. Funduk N. Enhanced permeability of acid-etched or ground dental enamel. Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry. 77(6):578-82, 1997 Jun. Health Sciences Library (Boston).

17. Hummel SK. Marker V. Pace L. Goldfogle M. Surface treatment of indirect resin composite surfaces before cementation. Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry.
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19. Perdigao J. Lambrechts P. van Meerbeek B. Tome AR. Vanherle G. Lopes AB. Morphological field emission-SEM study of the effect of six phosphoric acid etching agents on human dentin. Dental Materials. 12(4):262-?1, 1996 Jul.
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27. Oikarinen KS. Nieminen TM. Influence of acid-etched splinting methods on discoloration of dental enamel in four media: an in vitro study.
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31. Yiu CK. Wei SH. Management of rampant caries in chiidren. [Review] [47 refs] Quintessence International. 23(3):159-68, 1992 Mar. Health Sciences Library (Boston).

32. Smales RJ. Effects of enamel-bonding, type of restoration, patient age and operator on the longevity of an anterior composite resin. American Journal of Dentistry. 4(3):130-3, 1991 Jun.

33. Soderholm KJ. Roberts MJ. Variables influencing the repair strength of dental composites. Scandinavian Journal of Dental Research. 99(2):173-80, 1991 Apr. Health Sciences Library (Boston).

34. Hosoya Y. Goto G. Effects of cleaning, polishing pretreatments and acid etching times on unground primary enamel. Journal of Pedodontics. 14(2):84-92, 1990 Winter. Health Sciences Library (Boston).

35. Frentzen M. Koort HJ. Kermani O. Dardenne MU. [Preparation of hard tooth structure w ith Excimer lasers]. [German] Deutsche Zahnarztliche Zeitschrift. 44(6):454-7, 1989 Jun. Health Sciences Library (Boston).

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38. Vainio J. Kilpikari J. Tormala P. Rokkanen P. Experimental fixation of bone cement and composite resins to bone. Archives of Orthopaedic &
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60(2):152-8, 1978 Mar-Apr.

WO 00/09030 PCTlUS99/17879

40. Gwinnett AJ. Status report on acid etching procedures. Council on Dentai Materials and Devices. Journal of the American Dental Association. 97(3):505-8, 1978 Sep. Health Sciences Library (Boston).

41. Koch G. Paulander J. [Clinical evaluation of composite restorations made with acid etching methods). [Swedish) Svensk Tandlakaretidskrift. 69(6):191-6, 1976.

42. Rowe AH. A modification of the acid-etching technique for restoring fractured incisors. Journal of Dentistry. 2(1):35-6, 1973 Oct. Health Sciences Library (Boston).
Miscellaneous References 1. Lyons KM. Rodda JC. Hood JA. Use of a pressure chamber to compare microleakage of three luting agents. International Journal of Prosthodontics.
10(S):426-33, 1997 Sep-Oct.
2. Kydd WL. Nicholls .JI. Harrington G. Freeman M. Marginal leakage of cast gold crowns luted with zinc phosphate cement: an in vivo study. Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry. 75(1):9-13, 1996 Jan. Health Sciences Library (Boston).
3. White SN. Yu Z. Tom JF. Sangsurasak S. In vivo microleakage of luting cements for cast crowns. Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry. 71(4):333-8, 1994 Apr.
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4. Prati C. Fava F. Di Gioia D. Selighini M. Pashley DH. Antibacterial effectiveness of dentin bonding systems. Dental Materials. 9(6):338-43, 1993 Nov. Health Sciences Library (Boston).
5. Blair KF. Koeppen RG. Schwartz RS. Davis RD. Microleakage associated with resin composite-cemented, cast glass ceramic restoration. International Journal of Prosthodontics. 6(6):579-84, 1993 Nov-Dec.
6. Zaimoglu A. Karaagaclioglu L. Uctasli. Influence of porcelain material and composite luting resin on microleakage of porcelain laminate veneers. Journal of Oral Rehabilitation. 19(4):319-27, 1992 Jul. Health Sciences Library (Boston).
7. White SN. Sorensen JA. Kong SK. Caputo AA. Microleakage of new crown and fixed partial denture luting agents. Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry.
67(2):156-61, 1992 Feb. Health Sciences Library (Boston).
8. Berg JH. Pettey DE. Hutchins MO. Microleakage of three luting agents used with stainless steel crowns. Pediatric Dentistry. 10(3):195-8, 1988 Sep.
Health Sciences Library (Boston).
The following is a list of polymers which will be useful as a protective substance in the present invention.
POLYMER LIST
Tradenames, Generic Polymers, and Suppliers Tradename Material Manufacturer A

Acctuf PP copolymer Amoco Polymers Acetron Acetal DSM

Aclon fluoropoiymer Allied Signal ACP PVC Alpha Gary Acrylite acrylic Cyro Industries Acryrex acrylic Chi Mei Industrial Adell thermoplastic resin Adell - - - - Montell Adpro polypropylene Huntsman Adstif - - - - Montell Aff pity plastomer Dow Plastics PS Dow Plastics Akulon nylon 6,66 DSM

Akuloy nylon 6,66 alloys DSM

Alathon HDPE, HDPE copolymer Lyondell Polymers Albis nylon 6, 66 Albis Canada TP elastomer DuPont WO 00/09030 . PCT/US99/17879 Algoffon ffuoropolymer Auismont Alphatec TP elastomer Alpha Gary Amilan nylon Toray Industries Amoco thermoplastic resin Amoco Amodel PPA (polyphthalamide) Amoco Polymers Apec PC (high temperature) Bayer API polystyrene American Polymers Aqualoy nylon 6/ I2, 66, PP ComAlloy Aquathene polyethylene Quantum Alcryn TP elastomer DuPont Arcel styrene/ ethylene copolymer Nova Chemicals Ardel polyarylate Amoco Polymers Arnitel TP elastomer DSM

Aropol thermoset resin Ashland Arpro expandable PP bead JSP

Arpak expandable PP bead JSP

Ashlene nylon 6, 66, 6/ 12 Ashley Polymers Astryn PP alloy, co- and Montell homopolymer, TPO

Attane ULDPE Dow Plastics AurumTP polyimide Mitsui Toatsu AVP (various) Polymerland Azdel thermoplastic resin Azdel B

Bapolene polyethylene Bamberger Barex acrylonitrile copolymer BP Chemicals Bayblend polycarbonate/ABS Bayer Baydur structural foam PUR RIM Bayer Baylon nylon 6/6 Bay Resins Beetle urea formaldehyde Cytec Industries Henvic PVC Solway Beta - - - - Beta Polymers Bexloy ionomer DuPont Boltaron FR PP GenCorp C

Cabot thermoplastic resin Cabot Cadon SMA copolymer Bayer Calibre polycarbonate Dow Plastics Capron nylon 6, 66, 66/6 Allied Signal Carilon aliphatic PK Shell Cefor polypropylene Shell Celanese nylon 6, nylon 6/6 Hoechst-Celanese Celanex polyester (PBT) Hoechst-Celanese Celcon acetal copolymer Hoechst-Celanese Celstran long fiber reinforced Hoechst-Celanese Centrex ASA, ASA+AES Bayer Cevian ABS, ABS+PBT,SAN Daicel C-flex SBS, SEES Concept Polymer Chemigum TP eiastomer Goodyear Chemlon Nylon 6,66 Chem Polymer Claradex ABS Shin-A

Compodic - - - - DIC Trading Comshield PP ComAlloy Comtuf impact resistant resins ComAlloy Cosmic - - - - Cosmic Corton mineral filled material PolyPacific Crastin ~PBT DuPont Crystalor polymethylpentene (PMP) Phillips Chemical CTI Nylon 66 M.A.Hanna Cycogel ABS Nova Polymers Cycolac ABS, ABS+pBT GE Plastics Cycolin ABS/PBT GE Plastics Cycoloy polycarbonate/ABS GE Plastics Cyglas TS polyester Cytec Industries Cymel melamine formaldehyde Cytec Industries Cyrex acrylic/ polycarbonate Alloy Cyro Industries Cyroiite acrylic Cyro Industries D

Delrin acetal DuPont Desmopan TP polyurethane Bayer Dexplex TPO D&S Polymers Diamon - - - - Diamond Polymers Dimension Nylon 6 alloy Allied Signal Dowlex HDPE, LLDPE Dow Plastics Drexflex TP elastomer D&S Plastics Duraflex polybutylene Shell Dural PVC Alpha Gary Durel polyarylate Hoechst-Celanese Durethan nylon 6 Bayer Durez ~thermoset resins Occidental Dylark SMA copolymer Nova Chemicals Dylene polystyrene Nova Chemicals Dylite expandable polystyrene Nova Chemicals Dynaflex SBS, SEBS GLS Plastics E

Eastabond PET Eastman Chemical Eastalloy PC+Polyester Eastman Chemical Eastapak PET Eastman Chemical Eastar (various polyesters) Eastman Chemical Eastman thermoplastic resin Eastman Chemical Ecdel TP elastomer Eastman Chemical Ecoprene TP Elastomer Rubber & Plastics Solutions Edistir polystyrene Enichem Ektar PET, PBT, PCT polyester Eastman Chemical Ektar FB TP elastomer Eastman Chemical Elastalloy TP elastomer GLS corp Elastollan polyurethane TPE BASF

Electrafil electrically conductive DSM

polymers Elexar TP Elastomer Teknor Apex Elvamide nylon copolymer DuPont Eltex HDPE Solway Eltex P PP Solway Elvax EVA copolymer DuPont Emac EMA copolymer Chevron Chemical Emiclear - - - - Toshiba Emi-X (various) LNP

Empee polyethylene, polypropylene Monmouth Enathene ethylene butyl acrylate Quantum Engage TP elastomer Dow Plastics Epalex - - - - PolyPacific Eref PA/ PP alloy Solway Escalloy PP (stress crack resist)ComAlloy Escoracid terpolymer Exxon Chemical Escorene polypropylene Exxon Chemical Estaloc polyurethane BF Goodrich Estane polyurethane TPEBF Goodrich Evalca EVA copolymer Eval Exact plastomer Exxon Chemical Extron glass filled material PolyPacific Exzctxal TP elastomer Exxon Chemical F

Faradex conductive wire filled DSM

Ferrene polyethylene Ferro Ferrex polypropylene Ferro Ferro - - - - Ferro Ferrocon Polyolefm Ferro Ferroflo polystyrene Ferro Ferropak PP/PE alloy Ferro Fiberfil fiber reinforced materialDSM

Fiberloc fiber reinforced PVC Geon Fiberstran long fiber reinforced DSM

material Fina polyolefm Fina Oil Finaclear polystyrene, SBS Fina Oil Finaprene TP elasto~er Fina Oil Flexalloy PVC Teknor Apex Flexomer polyethylene (ULDPE) Union Carbide Flexprene TP elastomer Teknor Apex Fluorocomp reinforced fluoropalymerLNP

Foamspan thermoplastic foam ComAlloy Foraflon PVDF Atochem Formion ionomer A. Schulman Fortiflex polyethylene Solway Fortilene polypropylene Solway Fortron PPS Hoechst-Celanese FR-P CPC Lucky FTPE Fluorelastomer - 3M Performance Polymers G

Gapex nylon Ferro Geloy ASA, ASA+PC, ASA+PVC
GE Plastics Geolast TP elastomer Advanced Elastomer Sys.

Geon PVC Geon Glaskyd alkyd CYTEC

Glastic thermost resin Glastic Goldrex acrylic Hanyang Chemical Grilamid nylon 12 EMS-American Grilon Grilon nylon 6, 66 EMS-American Grilon Grilpet PET EMS-American Grilon Grivory nylon EM S-American Grilon g Halar fluoropolymer Ausimont Halon ffuoropolymer Ausimont Hanalac ABS Miwon Haysite thermoset resin Haysite Hercuprene TP elastomer J-Von Hetron thermoset resin Ashland Hifax PP, TPE, TPO Montell HiGlass glass filled polypropyleneHimont Hiloy high strength resin ComAlloy Histat electrically conductive United Composites HiVal polyethylene (HDPE) General Polymers Hivalloy PP alloy Montell Hostacen metallocene PP Hoechst-Celanese Hostacom reinforced PP Hoechst-Celanese Hostaflon fluoropolymers Hoechst-Celanese Hostaform acetal copolymer Hoechst-Celanese Hostalen PE Hoechst-Celanese Hostalen-GUR UHMW PE Hoechst-Celanese Hostalen PP polypropylene Hoechst-Celanese Hostalloy polyolefin alloy Hoechst-Celanese Huntsman thermoplastic Huntsman Hyflon fluoropolymer Auismont Hylar PVDF Auismont Hylon nylon 6, 66 Hale Hytrel TP elastomer DuPont I

Impetpolyester (PET) Hoechst-Celanese Interpol polyurethane Cook Composites Iotek ionomer Exxon Isoplast TPU Dow Plastics Iupiace PPO/ PPE Mitsubishi Iupilon polycarbonate Mitsubishi Iupital acetal Mitsubishi Ixan PVDF Solway Ixef polyarylamide Soivay Polymers J

J-Plast TP elastomer J-Von K

Kadel PAEK Amoco Polymers Kamax acrylic copolymer AtoHaas Kemcor LDPE, HDPE Kemcor Australia Kematal acetal copolymer Hoechst-Celanese Kibisan SAN Chi Mei Industrial Kibiton SBS Chi Mei Industrial Koblend polycarbonate/ABS EniChem America Kodapak PET polyester Eastman Kodar PETG polyester Eastman Kohinor vinyl Rimtec Kopa Nylon 6,66 Kolon America Kraton styrenic TPE Shell Chemical K-Resin styrene/butadiene Phillips Chemical copolymer Kynar PVDF Atochem L

Ladene polystyrene SABIC

Lexan polycarbonate GE Plastics Lomod TP elastomer GE Plastics Lubricomp wear resistant material LNP

Lubrilon nylon 6,66,6/ 12,PBT C omalloy Lubriloy internally lubricated LNP

material Lucel acetal copolymer Lucky Lucet acetal copolymer Lucky Lumax PBT alloy Lucky Lupan SAN Lucky Lupol polyolefin Lucky Lupon nylon 66 Lucky Lupos ABS Lucky Lupox PBT Lucky Lupoy ABS+pBT Lucky Luran SAN,ASA BASF

Lusep PPS Lucky Lustran ABS, SAN, ABS+Acrylic Bayer Luxis nylon 6/6 Westover Lytex epoxy Quantum Composites M

Magnacomp Nylon 6, 6/ 10, PP LNP

Magnum ABS Dow Plastics Makrolon polycarbonate, PC blend Bayer Makroblend polycarbonate blend Bayer Malecca styrenic copolymer Denki Kagalcu Maranyl nylon ICI Americas Marlex polyethylene, polypropylene Phillips Chemical Mater-Bi biodegradeable polymer Novamont Microthene PE Quantum Milastomer TP elastomer Mitsui Mindel PSU, PSU alloy Amoco Polymers Minion mineral filled nylon DuPont 6/6, Morthane TPU Morton Multibase ABS Multibase Mufti-Flam polypropylene Multibase Mufti-Flex TP elastomer Multibase Mufti-Hips polystyrene Multibase Mufti-Pro polypropylene Multibase Mufti-San SAN copolymer Multibase N

NASSMMA acrylic Nova Chemicals WO 00/09030 PCTlUS99/17879 Naxell polycarbonate (recycled) MRC Polymers Norsophen Phenolic Norold Composites Nortuff HDPE, polypropylene Polymerland Noryl PPO, PPO alloy GE Plastics Novalast TP elastomer Nova Polymers Novalene TP elastomer Nova Polymers Novamid nylon Mitsubishi Novapol LLDPE,LDPE,HDPE Nova Chemicals Novatemp PVC Novatec Novon starch based polymer Novon NSC Nylon, PS Thermofil Nucrel EMAA copolymer DuPont Nybex nylon 6/ 12 Nova Nydur nylon 6 Bayer (now called Durethan) NYI~ nylon 66 DSM

Nylamid nylon Polymer Service Nylast TP elastomer Allied Signal Nylatron glass reinforced nylon DSM

Nylene nylon Custom Resins Nylind nylon 66 DuPont Nyloy nylon 66, PC, PP Nytex Composites Nypel nylon 6 Allied SIgnal Nytron nylon 66 Nytex Composites

-43-O

Olehard filled polypropylene Chiso America Ontex TP elastomer D&S Plastics Optema EMA copolymer Exxon Chemical Optix acrylic Plaskolite Oxy vinyl Occidental Oxyblend vinyl Occidental Oxyclear PVC Occidental P

Panlite polycarbonate Teijin Chemical Paxon HDPE Paxon Pebax PEBA Atochem Pellethane polyurethane TP

elastomer Dow Plastics PermaStat (various) RTP

Perspex acrylic ICI Acrylics Petlon PBT Albis Petra polyester (PET) Allied Signal Petrothene polyethylene, polypropylene, C,'~uantum TPO

Pibiter polyester (PBT) EniChem Plaslok thermoset resins Plaslok Plaslube lubricated materials DSM

Plenco thermoset resins Plastics Engineering _4q,_ Plexiglas acrylic AtoHaas (Rohm & Haas) Pliovic vinyl Goodyear PMC melamine formaldehyde Sun Coast Pocan polyester (PBT) Albis Polifil reinforced polyolefins Polifil Polyfabs ABS A. Schulman Polyfil _ _ _ _ Polyfil Polyfine - - - - Tokutama Soda Polyflam flame retardant thermoplastic A. Schulman Polyflon fluoropolymer Daikin Polyfort polypropylene, polyethylene A. Schulman Polyiac ABS Chi Mei Industrial Polyman ABS Alloy A. Schulman Polypur reinforced or alloyed A. Schulman TPE

Polytron PVC alloy Geon Polytrope TP elastomer A. Schulman Polyvin PVC A. Schulman Porene ABS Thai Petrochemical Premi-glas glass reinforced SMC Premix Premi ject thick molding compound Premix (thermoset) Prevail ABS/polyurethane Dow Plastics Prevex PPE GE Plastics Primef PPS Solway Prism polyurethane RIM Bayer Polyvin PVC A. Schulman Primacor EAA copolymer Dow Plastics Pro-Fax polyolefins Montell Propak polypropylene PolyPacific Pulse polycarbonate/ABS Dow Plastics R

gTP ____ ~P

Radel polyether sulfone Amoco Performance Products Radiflam nylon FR Radicinovacips Radilon nylon 6 Radicinovacips Radipol nylon 6/6 Radicinovacips Reny nylon 6/6 Mitsubishi Replay polystyrene Huntsman Reprean ethylene copolymer Discas Resinoid thermoset resins Resinoid Retain PE Dow Plastics Rexene thermoplastic resin Rexene Rexflex polypropylene Rexene Rilsan rotational molding resinsAtochem Rimplast TP elastomer Huls Rimtec vinyl Rimtec Riteflex TP elastomer Hoechst-Celanese Rogers thermoset resins Rogers Ronfalin ABS DSM

Rynite polyester (PET,PBT) DuPont Ryton PPS Phillips Chemical S

Sabre PC+PET Dow Plastics Santoprene TPE, TPO Advanced Elastomer Sys.

Saran vinylidine chloride Dow Plastics Sarlink TPE, TPO DSM

Satinflex PVC Alpha Gary Schulaflex flexible elastomers A. Schulman Schulamid nylon 6, 66 A. Schulman Schulink cross-linkable HDPE A. Schulman Sclair polyethylene Nova Chemicals Selar nylon, PET DuPont Shell polyolefms Shell Shinite PBT Shinkong Sinkral ABS EniChem Sinvet polycarbonate EniChem Soarnol EVA copolymer Nichimen Solef PVDF Solway Polymers Solvic PVC Solway Polymers Spectar polyester copolymer Eastman Stanyl nylon 46 DSM

Stanuloy PC.PET blend (recycled) MRC Polymers Stapron ABS+PC, SMA DSM

Stat-Kon static dissipative material LNP

Stat-Loy static dissipative material LNP

Stereon styrene/butadiene bl. Firestone copolymer Stypol thermoset resin Cook Composites Styrafil .filled styrenes DSM

Styron PS Dow Plastics Styropor PS BASF

Sumiplex acrylic Sumitomo Sunprene PVC elastomer A. Schulman Suntra PPS Sunkyong Industries Supec PPS GE Plastics Superkleen PVC Alpha Gary Suprel ABS/PVC Vista Chemical Surlyn Ionomer DuPont Synprene TP elastomer Synergistics Industries T

Technyl nylon 66 Rhone-Poulenc Tecoflex PUR Thermidics WO 00!09030 PCT/US99/17879 Tecothane PUR Thermidics Tedur PPS Albis Teflon fluoropolymer DuPont Tefzel PE-TFE fluoropoiymerDuPont Tekron TP elastomer Tekn:or Apex Telcar TP elastomer Teknor Apex Telcar TP elastomer Teknor Apex Tempalloy high temperature resin ComAlloy TempRite CPVCBF Goodrich Tenac ~acetal Ashai Tenite polyolefin, cellulosic, CAB Eastman Terluran ABS BASF

Terlux MABS BASF

Texalon nylon Texapol Texapol - - - - Texapol Texin polyurethane Bayer Thermex heat dissipative materials ComAlloy Thermocomp glass, carbon fiber LNP

reinforced Thermx copolyester Eastman Tone PCL Union Carbide Tonen - - - - TCA Plastics Topalloy - - = - TCA Plastics Topas cyclooiefin copolymer Hoechst-Celanese Topex PBT Tong Yang Nylon Toplex polycarbonate/ABS Multibase Toray PBT Toray Industries Torlon polyamide-imide Amoco Polymers Toyolac ABS, polycarbonate /ABS Toray Industries TPX polymethylpentene (PMP) Mitsui Trefsin TP elastomer Advanced Elastomer Sys.

Triax polycarbonate/ABS, ANS/ Nylon Bayer Tribit PBT Sam Yang Triloy PC+PBT, ABS+PC Sam Yang Trirex PC Sam Yang Tufrex ABS Bayer Typlax _ _ _ _ Typlax Tyril SAN Dow Plastics U

Ube - - - - Ube Industries Udel PSO Amoco Performance Products Ultem polyetherimide GE Plastics Ultradur polyester (PBT) BASF

Ultraform acetal BASF

Ultramid nylon BASF

Ultrapek PAEK BASF

Industries T

Technyl nylon 66 Rhone-Poulenc Tecoflex PUR Thermidics Tecothane PUR Thermidics Tedur PPS Albis Teflon fluoropolymer DuPont Tefzel PE-TFE fluoropolymerDuPont Tekron TP elastomer Teknor Apex Telcar TP elastomer Teknor Apex Telcar TP elastomer Teknor Apex Tempalloy high temperature resin ComAlloy TempRite CPVCBF Goodrich Tenac acetal Ashai Tenite polyolefin, cellulosic, Eastman CAB

Terluran ABS BASF

Terlux MABS BASF

Texalon nylon Texapol Texapol - - - - Texapol Texin polyurethane Bayer Thermex heat dissipative materials ComAlloy Thermocomp glass, carbon fiber LNP

reinforced Thermx copolyester Eastman Tone PCL Union Carbide Tonen - - - - TCA Plastics Topalloy - - - - TCA Plastics Topas cycloolefin copolymer Hoechst-Celanese Topex PBT Tong Yang Nylon Toplex polycarbonate/ABS Multibase Toray PBT Toray Industries Torlon polyamide-imide Amoco Polymers Toyolac ABS, polycarbonate /ABS Toray Industries TPX polymethylpentene (PMP) Mitsui Trefsin TP elastomer Advanced Elastomer Sys.

Triax polycarbonate/ ABS, ANS / Nylon Bayer Tribit PBT Sam Yang Triloy PC+PBT, ABS+PC Sam Yang Trirex PC Sam Yang Tufrex ABS Bayer Typlax - _ _ _ TYPI~

Tyri1 SAN Dow Plastics U

Ube - - - - Ube Industries WO 00109030 PCT/US99/I78'I9 Udel FSO Amoco Performance Products Ultem polyetherimide GE Plastics Ultradur polyester (PBT) BASF

Ultraform acetal BAS F

Ultramid nylon BASF

Ultrapek PAEK BASF

Ultrason - polyether sulfone (PES) BASF
E

Ultrason - polysuifone (PSO) BASF
S

Ultrastyr ABS Enichem America Ultrathene EVA copolymer Quantum Unichem PVC Colorite Plastics Unival polyethylene Union Carbide V

Valox polyester (PBT, PET, PCT)GE Plastics Valtec - - - - Montell Valtra polystyrene Chevron Chemical Vandar polyester alloy Hoechst-Celanese Vector SBS, SIS Dexco Polymers Vectra liquid crystal polymer Hoechst-Celanese Verton long fiber reinforced LNP

Vespel polyimide DuPont Vestamid nylon Huls Victrex PEEKICI Advanced Materials Vista vinyl Vista Chemical VistaFlex TP elastomer Advanced Elastomer Sys.

Vistel PVC Vista Chemical Vitax ASA Hitachi Chemical Voloy flame retardant materials ComAlloy Vybex polyester Ferro Vydyne nylon Monsanto Vyram TP elastomer Advanced Elastomer Sys.

Vythene PVC+PUR Alpha Gary w Wellamid nylon W ellman WPP PP Washington Penn X

Xenoy polycarbonate/polyester GE Plastics XT-Polymer acrylic copolymer Cyro Industries Xydar liquid crystal polymer Amoco Polymers Z

Zemid PE, HDPE DuPont Canada Zenite LCP DuPont Zeonex polymethylpentene (PMP) Nippon Zeon Zylar acrylic copolymer Novacor Zytel nylon Du Pont The present invention has been described in detail, including the preferred embodiments thereof. However, it will be appreciated that those skilled in the art, upon consideration of the present disclosure, may make modifications and/or improvements on this invention and still be within the scope and spirit of this invention as set forth in the following claims.

Claims

56

1. A method of protecting a tooth from decay, restoring a tooth ar painting a tooth, comprising the steps of:
a, etching at least one section of said tooth;
b. drying said etched tooth:
c. coating said etched and dried tooth sections with one or more protective and/or restorative preformed polymeric or non-hydroxyapatite ceramic substances, wherein said substances may also contain a colorant material; and, d. sealing said etched, dried and coated tooth.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said preformed polymeric substance is a thermoplastic.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said coating substance is in the form of a powder.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein acid costing is applied by spraying or electrophoresis.

5. The method of claim 1. wherein said sealing is produced by a heat source.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein said heat source is selected from the group consisting of a laser, a flame and a hot air stream.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein said coating is self-sealing.