dimethacrylates are provided having the following chemical structure : ## str1 ## where ## str2 ## is a saturated , 6 membered , monocyclic , hydrocarbyl ring system ; r 1 , r 2 and r 3 are the same or different and are hydrogen or alkyl or alkoxy groups having 1 to 12 carbon atoms ; and r 4 and r 5 are the same or different and are hydrogen or groups of the formula : ## str3 ## where r 6 is an aliphatic , aromatic or cycloaliphatic group having 1 to 14 carbon atoms , provided that at least one of the groups r 4 and r 5 is a group of the formula : ## str4 ## these compounds are useful in dental material which cures to form polymers having high mechanical strength , low water sorption , resistance to staining , good color stability when exposed to short - wave radiation and good chemical resistance to the oral environment . also provided are a method for polymerizing this compound in situ on teeth and a tooth comprising a polymer of this compound .