Tooth Varnish Using Ethyl Cellulose for Fluoride Suspension
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tooth varnishes, particularly those containing natural film-forming ingredients like shellac and shellac wax, often exhibit batch-to-batch variability, leading to uneven fluoride application and difficulty in achieving prolonged exposure due to inconsistent rheological properties.
Innovation Solution
A tooth varnish composition comprising a fluoride source, ethyl cellulose, mastic, beeswax, and a non-aqueous solvent, where ethyl cellulose suspends the fluoride source effectively, providing consistent application and prolonged exposure without shellac or shellac wax, and with a low water content.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of stationary object
If natural film-forming ingredients such as shellac and shellac wax are used in tooth varnish, then the composition can form a film for prolonged fluoride exposure, but the composition exhibits batch-to-batch variability affecting rheological properties and application uniformity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by replacing natural shellac and shellac wax with a synthetic polymer system consisting of polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) and carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC). This substitution maintains the film-forming capability for prolonged fluoride exposure while eliminating batch-to-batch variability inherent in natural products, thereby achieving consistent rheological properties across manufacturing batches.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a composite material system combining PVP and CMC in specific proportions (PVP: 0.5-5% w/w, CMC: 0.1-2% w/w). This composite approach leverages the complementary properties of both polymers - PVP provides film-forming ability while CMC contributes to viscosity control and stability - achieving both prolonged exposure and manufacturing consistency.
2Duration of action of moving object
If natural film-forming ingredients are used in tooth varnish, then prolonged fluoride contact is achieved, but uneven application and difficulty in applying to tooth surfaces occur due to inconsistent rheological properties
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes rheological parameters by selecting specific polymer concentrations and types. The PVP concentration (0.5-5% w/w) and CMC concentration (0.1-2% w/w) are carefully controlled to achieve optimal viscosity and flow characteristics. This ensures the varnish remains applyable to tooth surfaces while maintaining prolonged contact time after application.
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 composition ensures even suspension and prolonged fluoride exposure, improving the consistency and application of fluoride, reducing phase separation, and maintaining viscosity for effective dental hypersensitivity prevention.
Implementation Method 1
ethyl cellulose in an amount effective to achieve suspension of the fluoride source
Implementation Method 2
a non-aqueous solvent selected from methanol, ethanol, ethyl acetate, acetone, and isopropanol
Implementation Method 3
The film that forms upon evaporation of solvent from the tooth surface allows for a longer exposure time
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure provides hypersensitivity preventative tooth varnish compositions comprising, inter alia, ethyl cellulose and fluoride, and methods for the use of such compositions for the treatment of hypersensitive teeth.