A dental material comprising a hardenable resin and silica particles dispersed
within the hardenable resin, wherein the silica particles have an average diameter
of less than about 200 nm and are present in an amount greater than about 40 wt
% of the weight of the dental material. The dental material may further comprise
a heavy metal oxide. The dental material can be used as dental adhesives, artificial
crowns, anterior or posterior fillings, casting materials, cavity liners, cements,
coating compositions, mill blanks, orthodontic devices, restoratives, prostheses,
and sealants.
