polymerizable dental materials include materials used to repair , replace , protect , or otherwise complement the surface of a tooth . such materials include , for example , sealants , adhesives , composites , restoratives , and the like , which are well known in the dentistry arts . the chemistry of the polymerizable dental material can be any chemistry , but the invention can be especially useful in combination with polymerizable dental materials whose cure can be inhibited by exposure to oxygen , especially free - radically polymerizable materials . examples of such dental materials include materials commonly referred to as “ resins ,” “ resin composites ,” and “ compomers .” generally speaking , resins and resin composites are materials that typically cure or harden by free - radical addition polymerization activated by chemicals or more usually by radiation , commonly visible light . the term “ resin ” generally refers to the polymerizable component of a composition ( alone or with other materials ) while “ resin composite ” refers to the resin in combination with a filler material . thus , resins and resin composites may contain inert inorganic fillers ( silica , barium glass , zirconia / silica glass are some examples ) to modify properties . these types of materials adhere micromechanically to tooth enamel , especially after acid etching , and bond to dentin via application of an acid conditioner followed by a primer and / or adhesive , after which a combination of micromechanical and interdiffusion bonding occurs . many different types of resins and resin composites are commercially available , and typically vary in the type , concentration , and properties of the filler . representative examples of commercially available resin composites include , but are not limited to , revolution ( kerr corporation , orange , calif . ); silux ( 3m , st paul , minn . ); h r v herculite ( kerr corporation , orange calif . ); restorative z100 ( 3m , st paul , minn . ); and alert ( pentron inc , wallingford , conn .). glass ionomers may optionally be included in a polymerizable composition , in combination with a polymerizable resin . glass ionomers , sometimes referred to as polyalkenoate cements , set and / or harden via an acid - base reaction wherein an acidic polymer or copolymer aqueous solution reacts with an ion - leachable glass . glass ionomers are well known in the dental arts , and include , for example , poly ( acrylic acid ) and related copolymers which can react with a fluoroaluminosilicate glass ( fas ) to give a product including a core containing unreacted fas surrounded by the acid - base reaction products . such materials are commercially available , for example from ketac - cem radiopaque ( espe america , inc , norristown pa .). polymerizable compositions that include a glass - ionomer are sometimes referred to as “ resin - modified glass - ionomers ” and can be used in situations where properties intermediate between those of resins and glass - ionomers are desired . resin - modified glass - ionomers set and harden via a combination of an acid - base reaction and a free - radical polymerization reaction , which may be activated chemically and by radiation , e . g ., visible light . resin - modified glass - ionomers are well - known and commercially available . one representative example of a commercially available resin - modified glass - ionomer composition is gc fuji ii lc improved ( gc america inc , alsip , ill .). compomers are another class of polymerizable dental materials that can be advantageously used where properties intermediate between those of resins or resin composites and glass - ionomers are desired . compomers are polyacid - modified resin composites that polymerize via a free - radical polymerization mechanism . compomers are well - known and commercially available . one example of a commercially available compomer includes is compoglass ® ( ivoclar north america inc , amherst , n . y .). the specific chemistry of the polymerizable dental material can preferably be any chemistry whose polymerization would be inhibited by oxygen . many sealants include a mixture of monomers , usually including acrylates , e . g ., di ( meth ) acrylates ( as used herein , the term “( meth ) acrylate ” refers to both acrylates and methacrylates ). specific examples of dimethacrylates used in sealant formulations include bis - gma ( bisphenol a glycidyl methacrylate , often referred to as “ bowen &# 39 ; s resin ”), bis - dma , tegdma ( triethylene glycol dimethacrylate ), and udma ( urethane dimethacrylate ). inert inorganic filler can be included to modify the appearance and / or mechanical properties of the sealant . some products claim to contain fluoride - containing components . pit and fissure sealants may be classified according to their setting mechanism . according to standard specifications ( ansi / ada specification no . 39 - 1992 ; iso 6874 : 1988 ; british standard specification bs 7180 : 1989 ) there are two types of materials . type 1 materials include a chemical setting mechanism , meaning that they contain a chemical activator . type 2 materials are described as “ external - energy - cured ,” meaning they cure upon application of an external source of energy such as visible light of an appropriate wavelength and intensity . type 2 materials are often referred to as visible - light cure ( vlc ) materials . both types of sealant set ( i . e ., polymerize ) essentially by free - radical addition polymerization . examples of commercially available sealants include concise ™ white sealant , available as type 1 or a type 2 material ( 3m company , st . paul , minn . ), fluoroshield ™ ( type 2 , dentsply / caulk , milford , del . ), helioseal ® ( type 2 , ivoclar / vivadent , buffalo , n . y . ), prisma - shield ® ( type 2 , dentsply / caulk , milford , del . ), sealite ™ ( type 2 , kerr usa , romulus , mich .) and seal - rite ™ ( type 2 , pulpdent , watertown , mass .). according to the invention , a barrier material is applied to the polymerizable dental material prior to polymerization , e . g ., after the material has been placed in the mouth . the barrier material can cover or mask the taste of the polymerizable dental material . the barrier material can also impart its own desirable flavor and aroma into the process , allowing for improved patient comfort and cooperation ; in this regard the barrier material can impart the flavor and odor of an essential oil and can optionally and preferably act as a vehicle for incorporating additional flavor or aroma such as by an added flavoring . moreover , the barrier material can act as a barrier to prevent oxygen from contacting the polymerizable dental material , providing improved polymerization of the polymerizable material . as noted above , polymerization of polymerizable materials can be inhibited by oxygen . according to the invention , the barrier material is placed on a surface of the material to prevent oxygen from contacting the material where the oxygen would inhibit polymerization . because the barrier material is being used in dentistry environments , a number of features are important . the barrier material should be biocompatible , consisting of materials acceptable for oral use . when the barrier material is used with a radiation - curable dental material , the barrier material should be able to transmit such radiation . this is true , for example , when using the invention with type 2 sealant materials where light must reach the sealant to activate polymerization . a barrier material should preferably form a continuous film over the polymerizable dental material . the barrier material should be chemically compatible with the polymerizable dental material and not cause chemical degradation . this of course will depend on the composition of the polymerizable dental material . the barrier material should be of a character that will at least cover up or mask a flavor of the polymerizable dental material , or ideally have a flavor and aroma that is tasteful . and , the barrier material should be convenient to apply to a tooth in a patient &# 39 ; s mount . the barrier material can preferably be a liquid comprising or based on an oil . preferred oils include essential oils , for example soybean oil , safflower oil , sesame oil , olive oil , sunflower oil , canola oil , walnut oil , peanut oil , orange oil , eucalyptus oil , cod liver oil , castor oil , or a combination of two or more of these oils . essential oils are suitable for use as a barrier material because many exhibit one or more properties including suitable flavor and / or liquidity for ease of application , chemical inertness , film - forming capability , and transparency to electromagnetic radiation . also , essential oils are known to be compatible with resin based filling materials ( see generally applicants &# 39 ; u . s . patent application ser . nos . 09 / 427 , 876 , 09 / 427 , 943 , the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference ). an essential oil may be used by itself as the barrier material , a mixture of essential oils may be used , or an essential oil may be used with other ingredients ( e . g ., flavoring agents ) included in amounts that do not unduly hinder the ability of the barrier material to cover a flavor or odor of the polymerizable dental material or to reduce the amount of oxygen reaching the polymerizable dental material . those with an understanding of polymerizable dental materials will understand that materials other than essential oils , for example other types of oils , may also be used in a barrier material , singly or in combination with essential oils or other materials . for example , liquids such as glycerol and propylene glycol can be used in combination with an essential oil . a flavor included in a barrier material may be any of a variety of desirable flavors , for example cherry , strawberry , blueberry , watermelon , lemon , lime , raspberry , apple , grape , cranberry , coconut , banana , tangerine , pineapple , bubble gum , almond , hazelnut , chocolate , etc . the barrier material is applied to a surface of a polymerizable dental material , preferably by first placing the polymerizable dental material in the mouth , particularly at a tooth , and then applying the barrier material . next , the polymerizable dental material can be polymerized . the polymerizable dental material is typically applied to a tooth after some preparation of the tooth , as is appropriate for the specific dental procedure and material being used . this can include cleaning and often some application of a primer or other treatment to promote adhesion . the polymerizable dental material is then applied to the prepared surface , as needed . following placement of the polymerizable dental material , the barrier material is applied to the exposed surface of the dental material , and the dental material is then polymerized by appropriate means . the barrier material covers or masks the flavor of the dental material , and also reduces the amount of oxygen contacting the polymerizable dental material , preferably to entirely prevent environmental oxygen from contacting the dental material . the barrier material is applied to the polymerizable dental material in any fashion that will accomplish this , preferably in a fashion that will result in a continuous coating ( e . g ., a film ) of barrier material over the surface of the polymerizable dental material . examples of methods of applying the barrier material to a polymerizable composition include dropping , spreading , spraying , or brushing the barrier material onto the polymerizable dental material specifically with respect to sealants , application of a sealant involves preparation of the tooth by first cleaning and drying a tooth surface . an etchant , usually based on phosphoric acid , is applied to the surface , e . g ., a fissure , for typically 15 seconds , and the surface is washed to remove etching debris and thoroughly dried . the sealant is applied to the etched surface . according to the invention , a barrier material is applied to the exposed surface of the sealant , preferably in an amount and manner to form a continuous film over the sealant . the sealant is then polymerized . optionally the barrier material can be washed away by rinsing with water . a type 2 fissure sealant ( helisoseal ®, ivoclar / vivadent , buffalo , n . y .) was used in this study , tested by the method of section 6 . 6 of ansi / ada specification no . 39 - 1992 ). a drop of the sealant was placed on a microscope slide and covered with a glass cover slip to give an approximately round mass of sealant , with an edge of the material exposed to air and the two flat surfaces covered by glass . polymerization was activated using a dental vlc unit ( caulk “ the max ” model 106 , caulk / dentsply , milford del .) with output 470 - 480 nm wavelength and minimum intensity of 450 mw / square centimeter . the light was applied for 10 seconds . on examining the disc of material , visually , using a microscope , an oxygen inhibited zone was detected . the above experiment was repeated , except that olive oil was placed on the drop of material before the application of the cover slip . when the cover slip was applied , the oil flowed and formed a barrier to air at the circumference of the material . following polymerization as above , no oxygen inhibited zone could be detected microscopically .
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 .