Abstract: Described are methods of improving cure of polymerizable dental materials by preventing oxygen inhibition; preferred embodiments relate to methods wherein the dental compositions comprises a polymerizable sealant and the barrier material comprises an essential oil.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of utilizing a non-metallic composition to repair or seal hard dental tissue, wherein the non-metallic compositions harden in the mouth to form substantially permanent fixtures. The compositions comprise an amount of an essential oil effective to alter the sensor properties, i.e., the taste or smell, of the composition, and that desirably imparts a pleasant taste and/or odor. The essential oil further advantageously provides the composition, once hardened in the mouth, with a surface more hydrophobic than a corresponding composition, thereby inhibiting the deposition or formation of bacterial plaque.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of utilizing a non-metallic composition to adhere one or more dental or orthodontic fixtures to hard dental tissue, wherein the non-metallic compositions harden in the mouth to form substantially permanent fixtures. The compositions comprise an amount of an essential oil effective to alter the sensory properties, i.e., the taste or smell, of the composition, and that desirably imparts a pleasant taste and/or odor. The essential oil further advantageously provides the composition, once hardened in the mouth, with a surface more hydrophobic than a corresponding composition, thereby inhibiting the deposition or formation of bacterial plaque.

Abstract: Compositions for conditioning a tooth surface prior to the application of a dental materials which will desirably form a substantially permanent bond with the conditioned tooth surface are provided. The conditioning compositions comprise an amount of an essential oil effective to alter the sensory properties, i.e. the taste, a smell, of the conditioning composition and that desirably imparts a more pleasing taste and/or odor. Also provided are methods of using the conditioning composition to prepare a tooth surface for the application of a free radically polymerizable dental material and for treating a tooth by forming a substantially permanent bond with a free radically polymerizable dental material.

Abstract: The present invention provides non-metallic compositions that are useful to repair, restore, adhere to, or protect, the surface of a tooth and that harden in the mouth to form substantially permanent features therein or to adhere fixtures to the surface of a tooth in a substantially permanent manner. The compositions comprise an amount of an essential oil effective to alter the sensory properties, e.g., taste, smell, of the composition and that desirably imparts a pleasant taste and/or order. The essential oil further advantageously provides the composition, once hardened in the mouth, with a surface more hydrophobic than a corresponding conventional composition, thereby inhibiting the deposition or formation of bacterial plaque.

Abstract: Compositions for conditioning a tooth surface prior to the application of a dental material which will desirably form a substantially permanent bond with the conditioned tooth surface are provided. The conditioning compositions comprise an amount of an essential oil effective to alter the sensory properties, i.e., the taste, a smell, of the conditioning composition and that desirably imparts a more pleasing taste and/or odor.