Functionalized Calcium Phosphate Hybrid Moieties for Dental Remineralization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional calcium phosphate materials are marginally effective in delivering minerals for tooth remineralization and whitening, failing to keep pace with consumer habits and saliva stimulation in oral health care.
Innovation Solution
The development of functionalized hybrid moieties, specifically through a mechanochemical ball milling process combining calcium phosphate with organic reagents like fumaric acid, to create a thermodynamically and kinetically stable material that slowly releases ions, enhancing mineral delivery and whitening efficacy in confectionery formats like mints and gums.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional calcium phosphate materials are used for mineral delivery, then the product formulation is simple, but the remineralization efficacy is marginal and insufficient to keep pace with consumer habits
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining calcium phosphate with organic reagents (such as fumaric acid, citric acid, or other carboxylic acids) to create functionalized hybrid moieties. This composite approach enhances the remineralization efficacy by improving mineral delivery to teeth while maintaining product formulation feasibility in confectionery formats.
2Productivity
If conventional calcium phosphate materials are used, then the manufacturing process is simple, but the mineral delivery speed is insufficient to match saliva stimulation and consumer habits
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs parameter changes by modifying the physical and chemical properties of calcium phosphate through functionalization with organic reagents. This creates thermodynamically and kinetically stable hybrid moieties that control the release rate of calcium and phosphate ions, enabling faster and more sustained mineral delivery that matches saliva stimulation and consumer habits.
3Reliability
If functionalized hybrid moieties are developed through mechanochemical ball milling, then the remineralization and whitening efficacy are significantly improved, but the manufacturing process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional chemical synthesis methods with mechanochemical ball milling processes to create functionalized hybrid moieties. This mechanical approach combines calcium phosphate with organic reagents through high-energy milling, creating thermodynamically and kinetically stable materials with enhanced remineralization and whitening efficacy while simplifying the overall manufacturing process.
4Illumination intensity
If conventional calcium phosphate materials are used, then the cost is lower, but the cosmetic whitening effect on enamel is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite materials by combining calcium phosphate with functional organic reagents to create hybrid moieties that simultaneously deliver minerals and provide cosmetic whitening effects. The functionalized surface of these hybrid moieties enhances enamel interaction, achieving both remineralization and significant whitening benefits.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The functionalized hybrid moieties demonstrate significant improvements in remineralization efficacy, with studies showing up to 162% additional remineralization and 44.1% whitening effectiveness compared to conventional products, providing sustained mineral delivery and enamel whitening benefits.
Implementation Method 1
The functionalized hybrid moieties demonstrate significant improvements in remineralization efficacy, with studies showing up to 162% additional remineralization
Implementation Method 2
The development of functionalized hybrid moieties, specifically through a mechanochemical ball milling process combining calcium phosphate with organic reagents like fumaric acid
Implementation Method 3
The functionalized surface aids in promoting direct contact between a target material (such as the pellicle, enamel, or the like), and therefore allows for more efficient delivery of a desired mineral component
Data Source
AI summary
A method of whitening teeth, including an application of functionalized calcium phosphate additives generated via a solid-state method. The additives were produced by placing predetermined amounts of inorganic and inorganic materials and milling media into a vessel rotatably connected to a turntable platform, an amount of an organic material into the vessel, rotating the vessel in a first direction while turning the turntable platform in a second direction counter to the first direction, with the resultant material defining the functionalized calcium phosphate. The inorganic material may include calcium phosphates of varying phases, structure, and composition. The organic material may include anionic surfactants, cationic surfactants, neutral surfactants, carboxylic acids, polymers, copolymers, block copolymers, and combinations thereof. Once produced, the additives were added to comestibles, such as in confectionery and foodstuff formats, for delivery to the teeth and dental structures.