CPP-ACP Complex in Sugared Chewing Gum for Enamel Remineralization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Dental caries remain a public health issue despite the use of fluorides, as sugared chewing gums and confectionery products typically demineralize teeth, and existing caries-preventive products are not effective in promoting tooth enamel remineralization.

Innovation Solution

An oral delivery system comprising a phosphopeptide or phosphoprotein stabilized calcium phosphate or calcium fluoride phosphate complex, combined with calcium and/or phosphate salts, incorporated into sugar-containing chewing gums or confectionery products, which provides enhanced enamel subsurface remineralization without added sodium bicarbonate.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If sugared chewing gums and confectionery products are consumed, then enjoyment and oral delivery are improved, but tooth enamel demineralization increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoral delivery enjoymentVSAvoidtooth enamel demineralization

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful effect of sugar on tooth enamel by combining it with CPP-ACP complex and calcium/phosphate salts. The sugared confectionery product that would normally cause demineralization is transformed into a remineralization vehicle, where the sugar provides oral delivery enjoyment while the CPP-ACP and salts provide enamel remineralization, achieving at least 12.5% greater remineralization than control compositions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite oral delivery system combining multiple components: phosphopeptide or phosphoprotein stabilized calcium phosphate or calcium fluoride phosphate complex (CPP-ACP), calcium salts, and phosphate salts within a sugared confectionery matrix. This composite formulation enables simultaneous sugar enjoyment and enhanced enamel remineralization

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If fluorides are used to prevent dental caries, then caries prevalence decreases, but the disease remains a public health problem

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecaries prevention effectivenessVSAvoidpersistent dental caries

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the mechanism of caries prevention from fluoride-based to CPP-ACP and calcium/phosphate salt-based remineralization. By altering the active ingredients and delivery mechanism, the system achieves at least 12.5% greater enamel subsurface remineralization, addressing the persistent caries problem through a different biochemical pathway that promotes mineral deposition rather than acid inhibition

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If existing caries-preventive products are used, then some protection is provided, but they are not effective in promoting tooth enamel remineralization

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecaries protectionVSAvoidenamel remineralization promotion

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent ensures continuous enamel remineralization by incorporating CPP-ACP complex and calcium/phosphate salts into the confectionery matrix that releases these ingredients continuously during chewing. This continuous delivery mechanism maintains supersaturated conditions for calcium phosphate deposition on enamel surfaces throughout the chewing period, providing sustained remineralization action rather than transient protection

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

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 system achieves at least 12.5% greater enamel subsurface remineralization compared to compositions without the complex and salts, and can promote remineralization even in sugared products that typically demineralize teeth, offering a new approach to prevent dental caries.

Implementation Method 1

CPP-ACP acts by localizing calcium and phosphate ions at the tooth surface

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectIon localization:

Implementation Method 2

The complexes counteracts demineralization by enhancing remineralization

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRemineralization:

Implementation Method 3

CPP-ACP counteracts demineralization by enhancing remineralization while buffering plaque acid

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBuffering:

Implementation Method 4

The oral delivery systems additionally include a calcium and/or phosphate salt

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDissolution:

Data Source

PatentEP2001436B1Calcium phosphate complex and salts in oral delivery systems

Publication Date: 2017.01.04 INTERCONTINENTAL GREAT BRANDS LLC

AI summary

The present invention relates to oral delivery systems, such as confectionery and chewing gum compositions, and methods for remineralizing tooth enamel in mammals. In particular, the oral delivery systems include a phosphopeptide or phosphoprotein stabilized calcium phosphate or calcium fluoride phosphate complex and a salt selected from calcium salts, phosphate salts and combinations thereof. The delivery systems promote remineralization of tooth enamel of consumers.