Hydroxyapatite Oral Care Composition for Enamel Microcrack Resistance

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a need for oral care compositions that provide improved enamel protection, remineralization, and increased resistance to enamel microcracks and microscratches, which are common issues associated with aging and mechanical stress, leading to enamel damage and increased susceptibility to staining and cavities.

Innovation Solution

An oral care composition comprising hydroxyapatite (HAP) and hydroxyethylcellulose (HEC) is formulated to enhance enamel microcrack and microscratch resistance, with HAP present in amounts ranging from 1% to 10% and HEC from 0.1% to 5% by weight, optionally combined with additional ingredients for enhanced efficacy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional oral care compositions are used, then basic cleaning function is provided, but enamel protection against microcracks and erosion is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenamel protectionVSAvoidenamel microcrack and erosion susceptibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The oral care composition applies hydroxyapatite and HEC to enamel surfaces before damage occurs, creating a protective layer that prevents microcrack formation and acid erosion. This preliminary protection addresses the contradiction by proactively strengthening enamel rather than merely cleaning it.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The composition combines hydroxyapatite (mineral component) with hydroxyethylcellulose (polymer matrix) to create a composite protective material. This composite structure provides both mechanical strength to resist microcracks and adhesive properties to bond with enamel, resolving the insufficiency of traditional single-material compositions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If hydroxyapatite is added to oral care composition, then remineralization effect is improved, but formulation complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveremineralization efficacyVSAvoidcomposition formulation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Hydroxyethylcellulose serves as an intermediary carrier that solubilizes and stabilizes hydroxyapatite particles in the aqueous formulation. This mediator enables the incorporation of remineralizing agents without creating precipitation or instability issues, thus improving remineralization while maintaining formulation simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Strength

If enamel microcrack resistance is increased through composition treatment, then fracture toughness improves, but application process complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefracture toughnessVSAvoidapplication process

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The oral care composition is designed for self-application by consumers during normal brushing routines. The hydroxyapatite-HEC formulation automatically adheres to enamel surfaces through the adhesive properties of HEC, requiring no specialized application equipment or procedures. This self-service approach increases fracture toughness without complicating the application process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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 effectively reduces enamel erosion, repairs enamel damage, and increases microcrack resistance by decreasing crack length, increasing fracture toughness, and decreasing brittleness, thereby providing improved mechanical protection and remineralization.

Implementation Method 1

Early acid damage on enamel is reversible by remineralization, in which mineral ions from saliva are reintroduced into the demineralized enamel. It has been reported that hydroxyapatite possesses a remineralizing effect on teeth

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRemineralization: Deposition (physical)

Implementation Method 2

An oral care composition comprising hydroxyapatite (HAP) and hydroxyethylcellulose (HEC) is formulated to enhance enamel microcrack and microscratch resistance

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFilm formation: Coatings

Implementation Method 3

The composition effectively reduces enamel erosion, repairs enamel damage, and increases microcrack resistance by decreasing crack length, increasing fracture toughness, and decreasing brittleness

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical reinforcement: Composite Materials

Data Source

PatentUS12521336B2Oral care compositions

Publication Date: 2026.01.13 COLGATE PALMOLIVE CO

AI summary

Disclosed herein are oral care compositions comprising hydroxyapatite and hydroxyethylcellulose as well as methods of reducing or inhibiting enamel erosion, repairing enamel erosion damage, and/or increasing enamel microcrack resistance using these compositions.