Bis-GMA (bisphenol A-glycidyl methacrylate) is a

resin A resin is a solid or highly viscous liquid that can be converted into a polymer. Resins may be biological or synthetic in origin, but are typically harvested from plants. Resins are mixtures of organic compounds, predominantly terpenes. Commo ...

commonly used in

dental composite Dental composite resins (better referred to as "resin-based composites" or simply "filled resins") are dental cements made of synthetic resins. Synthetic resins evolved as restorative materials since they were insoluble, of good tooth-like appea ...

, dental sealants. and

dental cement Dental cements have a wide range of dental and orthodontic applications. Common uses include temporary restoration of teeth, cavity linings to provide pulpal protection, sedation or insulation and cementing fixed prosthodontic appliances. Recent u ...

. It is the diester derived from

methacrylic acid Methacrylic acid, abbreviated MAA, is an organic compound with the formula CH2=C(CH3)CO2H. This colorless, viscous liquid is a carboxylic acid with an acrid unpleasant odor. It is soluble in warm water and miscible with most organic solvents. Me ...

and the bisphenol A diglycidyl ether. Bearing two polymerizable groups, it is prone to form a crosslinked polymer that is used in dental restorations. For dental work, highly viscous bis-GMA is mixed with aluminosilicate particles, crushed quartz and other related acrylates; changes to component ratios lead to different physical properties in the end product. Bis-GMA was incorporated into composite dental resins in 1962 by Rafael Bowen. Until matrix development work in the early 2000s, bis-GMA and related methacrylate monomers were the only options for organic matrix composition.

Safety

Concerns have been raised about the potential for bis-GMA to break down into or be contaminated with the related compound

bisphenol A Bisphenol A (BPA) is a chemical compound primarily used in the manufacturing of various plastics. It is a colourless solid which is Solubility, soluble in most common organic solvents, but has very poor solubility in water. BPA is produced on a ...

. However, no negative health effects of bis-GMA use in dental resins have been found.

Composition

Saliva Saliva (commonly referred as spit or drool) is an extracellular fluid produced and secreted by salivary glands in the mouth. In humans, saliva is around 99% water, plus electrolytes, mucus, white blood cells, epithelial cells (from which ...

esterase In biochemistry, an esterase is a class of enzyme that splits esters into an acid and an alcohol in a chemical reaction with water called hydrolysis (and as such, it is a type of hydrolase). A wide range of different esterases exist that differ ...

s can slowly degrade bis-GMA-based sealants, forming Bis-HPPP.

Safety

Composition

References

Further reading