Isomalt Maltitol Teeth Desensitization Saliva Modification

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for desensitizing hypersensitive teeth often require expensive or specifically prepared agents, and confectionery products that remineralize teeth still need additional agents, making them less consumer-friendly.

Innovation Solution

Isomalt or maltitol, commonly used sugar replacement agents, are used alone to desensitize teeth by modifying saliva production and salivation, providing a tooth-desensitizing effect without the need for additional substances or increased concentrations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional desensitizing agents (nitrate salts, chloride salts, strontium salts, etc.) are used to treat hypersensitive teeth, then the teeth desensitization effect is achieved, but the treatment becomes expensive and requires specifically prepared pharmaceuticals

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveteeth desensitization effectVSAvoidcost and complexity of treatment preparation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces expensive, specifically prepared pharmaceutical agents with a cheap, readily available substance (isomalt or maltitol) that can be used in conventional food and cosmetic products. This principle transforms the treatment from requiring specialized pharmaceuticals to using common food ingredients, thereby reducing cost and manufacturing complexity while maintaining the desensitization effect

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses isomalt or maltitol, substances already present in food, cosmetics, or pharmaceuticals, as a substitute for specialized desensitizing agents. By copying the function of expensive pharmaceuticals using common ingredients, the treatment becomes more accessible and easier to manufacture without requiring specific pharmaceutical preparations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

2Reliability

If confectionery products containing calcium salts are used to remineralize teeth, then remineralization is achieved, but additional agents are still required to desensitize teeth

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveremineralization effectVSAvoidnumber of substances required
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes isomalt or maltitol a multi-functional substance that simultaneously provides remineralization (like calcium salts) and desensitization effects. This eliminates the need for separate agents and simplifies the treatment composition to a single substance that performs multiple functions, reducing the complexity of the treatment system

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the functions of multiple substances (remineralization agents like calcium salts and desensitizing agents) into a single substance (isomalt or maltitol). By combining these functions in one ingredient, the treatment requires fewer substances and simplifies the overall composition while achieving both remineralization and desensitization

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of operation

If food ingredients are used to desensitize teeth, then consumer-friendliness is improved, but the concentration of active agents must be considerably increased

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconsumer acceptanceVSAvoidconcentration of active agent
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the parameter of substance concentration by using isomalt or maltitol at conventional food-level concentrations (0.1-20%, preferably 1-5%) rather than requiring high concentrations. This parameter change allows the substance to function as both a food ingredient and an effective desensitizing agent, maintaining consumer acceptance without needing excessive amounts

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

Isomalt or maltitol effectively desensitize teeth by increasing saliva production, offering a consumer-friendly solution that avoids the use of costly or toxic ingredients, effectively reducing tooth hypersensitivity.

Implementation Method 1

The present invention uses the capability of a polyol selected from the group consisting of isomalt and maltitol, to modify the saliva production and salivation in the mouth of the consumer in particular increases the salivation and/or saliva production

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSaliva production modification:

Data Source

PatentEP2317867B1Method for treating hypersensitive teeth
Publication Date: 2017.11.15 SUDZUCKER AG MANNHEIM OCHSENFURT
  • EP2317867B1 patent drawingFigure 1

AI summary

The present invention relates to a method for imparting a teeth-desensitising effect to a food, cosmetic or pharmaceutical which comprises combining said food, cosmetic or pharmaceutical with a teeth-desensitising effective amount of a polyol.