Abstract: An improved denture fixative composition comprising an adhesion promoter and a highly cross-linked copolymer of a lower alkyl vinyl ether and maleic anhydride or acid is disclosed wherein at least 65.0% of the total number of initial carboxyl groups in the copolymer are reacted. The cross-linking agent employed in this invention is calcium cation and optionally up to about 30.0% of the calcium function can be replaced with other inorganic cross-linking agents or polyhydroxy compounds either singly or in combination. The adhesion promoters are chelating agents such as polycarboxylic acids, hydroxycarboxylic acids, aminocarboxylic acids, polyphosphoric acids and their alkali salts.

Abstract: An improved denture adhesive composition is comprised of a highly cross-linked lower alkyl ether/maleic acid or maleic anhydride copolymer in which up to about 85% of the initial free carboxyl groups are reacted with one or more cross-linking agents. The cross-linking agents are mixtures of inorganic divalent cations such as calcium, magnesium and zinc together with organic bifunctional compounds comprised of polyhydroxyl compounds such as propylene glycol, glycerin and the like. The copolymer has a specific viscosity of no less than 1.5. A hydrophilic polymer such as sodium alginate or carboxymethyl cellulose may also be added to the lower alkyl vinyl ether/maleic acid or maleic anhydride copolymer which is then formulated with other excipients in a paste, powder, liquid, gel or cream composition.