Eugenol functionalized poly(acrylic acid) derivatives in the formation of glass-ionomer cements

Eugenol possesses analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties with the ability to relieve pain in irritated or diseased tooth pulp, thus, incorporating polymers with eugenol moieties in dental cements is attractive. An acrylic derivative of eugenyl methacrylate (EgMA) was copolymerized with acrylic acid (AA) using a radical initiator, to yield a water soluble copolymer of acrylic acid and eugenyl methacrylate {p(AA-co-EgMA)}, which was then applied in the formulation of glass-ionomer cements for potential application as dental cements. Three concentrations of the p(AA-co-EgMA) copolymer in water were studied by, 30 wt%, 40 wt% and 50 wt%, and used with different powder:liquid ratios to formulate the glass-ionomer cements. The setting kinetics showed that both the concentration of the copolymer and the powder:liquid ratio influenced the working and setting times. Thus, selected formulations were used for further characterization of their mechanical properties, water uptake and fluoride release, to optimize the cement formulation. The experimental glass-ionomer cements exhibited physical and mechanical properties in compliance to ISO standard requirements with the benefit of the initial pH being greater than the commercial formulation used as the standard cement. Furthermore, the presence of the eugenyl moieties bound to the polymer matrix was advantageous with respect to moisture sensitivity and anti-bacterial properties.