Conductive Dental Bleaching Gel for Faster Whitening

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current dental bleaching methods are uncomfortable, time-consuming, and can cause irritation due to the need for prolonged use of bleaching agents, with existing compositions lacking sufficient electrical conductivity to effectively accelerate the bleaching process.

Innovation Solution

A dental bleaching gel composition with hydrogen peroxide, carbamide peroxide, or sodium perborate, cross-linked polyacrylate polymer, glycerine, and alkali nitrates or hydroxides, providing electrical conductivity of at least 250 microsiemens/cm, activated by a micro-current to accelerate the bleaching reaction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the concentration of peroxide is increased to shorten treatment time, then bleaching efficiency is improved, but irritation and damage to gums and lips increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebleaching efficiencyVSAvoidirritation to soft tissue
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical parameters of the bleaching composition by incorporating specific additives (potassium nitrate, fluoride compounds, and chelating agents) that modify the behavior of peroxide on tooth surfaces. These parameter changes allow effective bleaching at lower peroxide concentrations, reducing tissue irritation while maintaining productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention creates a composite bleaching gel formulation that combines peroxide with multiple protective and enhancing ingredients. This composite material approach allows the system to achieve high bleaching efficiency through synergistic effects while the protective components minimize harm to soft tissues.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Productivity

If treatment time is extended to achieve better whitening results, then bleaching effectiveness is improved, but patient comfort and freedom of movement deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewhitening effectivenessVSAvoidpatient comfort
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the kinetic parameters of the bleaching reaction through additives that accelerate peroxide decomposition and oxygen release. This allows achieving the same whitening effectiveness in shorter time periods, improving patient comfort while maintaining productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention introduces intermediary substances (chelating agents and catalysts) that mediate the bleaching process by enhancing peroxide activity and stabilizing the reaction. These intermediaries enable faster action without requiring extended treatment times, resolving the contradiction between effectiveness and comfort.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Device complexity

If traditional bleaching compositions are used, then formulation simplicity is maintained, but electrical conductivity is insufficient to accelerate the bleaching process

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveformulation simplicityVSAvoidelectrical conductivity
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the electrical parameters of the gel formulation by incorporating ionic compounds (potassium nitrate and fluoride sources) that significantly enhance electrical conductivity. This allows the use of electrical current to accelerate the bleaching process while maintaining relative formulation simplicity through the use of common dental ingredients.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 gel composition is less irritating, efficient, and achieves whitening in shorter times without sensitivity, penetrating deep into the enamel to erase stains, outperforming traditional methods in effectiveness and comfort.

Implementation Method 1

the gel has a composition allowing it to penetrate deep within the enamel... The gel has an electrical conductivity of at least 250 microsiemens/cm... applying to the teeth covered by the layer of gel with electrical conductivity higher than 250 microsiemens/cm electric current of at least 1 milliampere

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical conductivity: Conduction (electrical)

Implementation Method 2

a peroxide hydrogen peroxide, wherein the amount of hydrogen peroxide is 1 to 35% w/w, or carbamide peroxide, sodium perborate, or sodium percarbonate as a peroxide releasing compound

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOxidation: Oxidation

Data Source

PatentEP2883529B1Bleaching gel
Publication Date: 2019.08.14 COLGATE PALMOLIVE CO

AI summary

Disclosed is a dental bleaching gel composition with high electric conductivity.