Abstract: A family of polyfunctional surface-active comonomers which act to improve the adhesion between a resin or composite material and solid surfaces capable of binding polyvalent cations is described. These polyfunctional surface-active comonomers, or "PolySACs", are preferably the reaction product of an epoxy acrylate or methacrylate and an aminobenzoate. The adhesion of the resin or composite material to certain solid surfaces is also improved by the preparatory treatment of these surfaces with a monobasic acid of intermediate strength followed by treatment with a mordant.In its most preferred form the invention is employed in reconstructive dental work to improve the adhesion between a resin or composite material and dentin. The dentin is cleansed with isotonic formic acid, treated with an isotonic ferric chloride mordant and then treated with a PolySAC which is the reaction product of an oligomeric diglycidyl ether, acrylic acid and lithium ortho-aminobenzoate. The resin or composite material is then applied.

Abstract: An improved composite dental material includes an inorganic component of glass particles separated into two interconnected vitreous phases which have been etched to produce a porous surface layer. The inorganic glass particles are combined with an organic resin to provide the composite dental material. Preferable glass compositions include a mixture of silicon dioxide, boron oxide, aluminum oxide and strontium oxide, with one or more from the group of calcium oxide, zinc oxide, stannic oxide, and zirconium oxide as optional modifying ingredients.