Abstract: Dental cements with syringate esters such as 2-ethylhexyl syringate with or without vanillate esters dissolved in o-ethoxybenzoic acid as ingredients of the liquid when mixed with metal oxide powder yield rapid setting, insoluble cements that have high strength, do not inhibit free radical polymerization, adhere strongly to metal, and reduce carries. Use of silanized glass filler to the powder in conjunction with the addition of monomer to the liquid gives an even stronger cement.

Abstract: Cementitious dental compositions suitable for use as luting agents, sedative and insulating bases, temporary and long term restoratives, endodontic sealants, pulp capping materials, tissue packs, impression pastes and adhesives for dental composites and hard tissues comprising a solid phase which includes a metal oxide or hydroxide of tin or a Group II metal and a liquid phase which includes a chelating compound, the chelating compound being an ester of a vanillic acid moiety in which the ester is the product of a reaction of one of an alcohol, a polyhydric alcohol or a polyalkylene glycol and at least one of either vanillic acid or its isomers or homoloynes. The compositions may additionally contain a second chelating compound, Al.sub.2 O.sub.3, an hydrogenated rosin, polymeric materials and polymerizable monomeric materials.