Modification of cements containing vanillate or syringate esters

Addition of small concentrations of acid, metals or fluorides to vanillate or syringate dental cements was studied in order to improve their physical properties and anticariogenic behavior. Incorporation of acids into cement formulations lowers their setting time. Coating a portion of the zinc oxide powder ingredient with propionic acid offers a convenient way of adjusting the cure to a rate most suitable for clinical applications. The resulting cements are non-brittle, have high strength, low solubility and bond strongly to non-precious metals, porcelain or composites. Cements with zinc undecylate are flexible and may be useful as soft tissue packs. Metallic powders do not act as reinforcing agents for these cements. Hexyl vanillate or ethylhexyl syringate cements can be prepared by adding 0.1% to 1% fluoride salts such as NaF, ZrF 4, ZnF 2 or dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate hydrofluoride to the powder ingredient. Rate of fluoride released is dependent on the solubility of the fluoride in water and decreases rapidly within the first few days after exposure to the liquid. Initial fluoride release from the cement may increase resistance to decalcification of tissues adjacent to the restoration.