Polymer properties on resins composed of UDMA and methacrylates with the carboxyl group

The properties of dental matrix resins have been improved by synthesis of new monomers. However, except for improvements in water-resistance, monomers with better mechanical properties than Bis-GMA and UDMA could not being synthesized. Changing the point of emphasis, we tried to improve the mechanical properties controlling the matrix resin higher structure using noncovalent bonds. We prepared a matrix resin structured by UDMA, which is a high viscosity base monomer with imino groups, and by a low viscosity acidic monomer with carboxyl groups, which permits noncovalent bonds such as hydrogen bonds or electrostatic interaction with imino groups. The maximal mechanical strength for matrix resins structured by UDMA and an acidic monomer was obtained with a composition of imino groups and carboxyl groups at a ratio of 1:1. This mechanical strength value was higher than those obtained with UDMA resin or with a Bis-GMA/TEGDMA/UDMA resin with typical composition. The improvement in mechanical properties may be due to the complex based on noncovalent bonds, between the imino groups of UDMA and the carboxyl groups of the acidic monomers.