D15. Identify the benefits of methacrylate base resins in dentistry, compared to other resins such as carbonates and urethanes; you may concentrate on the following areas: 1) polymerization condition, 2) softening temperature, and 3) stability in the oral environment.

Dental resins are mainly based on methacrylates. Thus, by starting with ethylene and vinyl groups, one can see how acrylic and methacrylic evolved.

Polymerization conditions

Methacrylates are easy to cure at room and body temperatures. Other monomers are more unpredictable in their curing mechanism. For example, some resins (e.g. most epoxy resins) are very sensitive for impurities such as water, while other polymers cure too slowly to be clinically acceptable.

Softening temperature

The softening temperature of methylmethacrylate is high enough to make it easy to polish. At the same time, the softening temperature is low enough to make it possible to remove porcelain teeth and acrylic veneers from different constructions with hot instruments.

Stability in the oral environment

Despite the presence of ester linkages in methacrylates, this ester linkage is remarkable stable. This means that methacrylates do not degrade easily in the oral environment.