Jammed Oil-in-Water Emulsion for Low-Irritation Tooth Whitening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tooth whitening compositions using high concentrations of peroxide compounds cause tooth sensitivity and gum irritation due to rapid interaction with tooth surfaces, despite improved retention and adhesiveness.
Innovation Solution
A jammed oil-in-water emulsion system is developed, where the hydrophobic phase is the predominant component, allowing for continuous delivery of bleaching agents to tooth surfaces with reduced irritation by maintaining a thin continuous aqueous phase, replenishing the agent as needed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If high concentrations of peroxide compounds are used in tooth whitening compositions, then whitening speed is improved, but tooth sensitivity and gum irritation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the peroxide delivery system into two separate phases: a continuous aqueous phase containing peroxide compounds and a discontinuous hydrophobic phase. This segmentation allows the peroxide to be delivered continuously at controlled concentrations through the aqueous phase, while the hydrophobic phase acts as a reservoir that releases peroxide gradually, thereby maintaining high whitening effectiveness while reducing peak concentrations that cause sensitivity and irritation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements continuous delivery of peroxide compounds through the continuous aqueous phase, which maintains a steady supply of bleaching agent to the tooth surface. This continuous action replaces the intermittent or high-dose applications that cause sensitivity, allowing the peroxide to be delivered consistently at tolerable concentrations throughout the treatment period, thus improving whitening speed without increasing harmful effects.
2Reliability
If high viscosity gel compositions based on hydrogen peroxide are used, then retention within bleaching trays is improved, but dehydration of tooth surface and interaction with hydrogen peroxide lead to slowed whitening process and increased tooth sensitivity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different properties to different phases: the continuous aqueous phase provides a non-viscous, fast-flowing medium that delivers peroxide quickly to the tooth surface, while the discontinuous hydrophobic phase provides retention and adhesiveness. This local differentiation allows the composition to retain effectively within the tray without the bulk gel causing dehydration or slowing the whitening process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses the discontinuous hydrophobic phase as an intermediary that mediates between the peroxide source and the tooth surface. This hydrophobic phase acts as a buffer that controls the release of peroxide from the aqueous phase, preventing direct high-concentration contact that would cause dehydration and sensitivity, while still ensuring adequate retention within the bleaching tray.
3Ease of operation
If hydrophilic in hydrophobic emulsions are used with high concentrations of hydrogen peroxide in aqueous phase droplets, then targeted peroxide delivery is achieved, but performance is limited by the whitening potential of aqueous droplets closest to the tooth surface
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the traditional water-in-oil emulsion structure to an oil-in-water emulsion, where the continuous aqueous phase is the majority phase and the discontinuous hydrophobic phase is the minority phase. This inversion allows the peroxide-containing aqueous phase to be the continuous delivery medium that reaches the tooth surface directly, overcoming the limitation of water-in-oil emulsions where only the outermost aqueous droplets contact the tooth surface. The inverted structure enables both targeted delivery and sustained whitening performance.
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 effectively whitens teeth with minimal side effects by ensuring the aqueous phase continuously delivers bleaching agents at tolerable concentrations, reducing tooth sensitivity and gum irritation.
Implementation Method 1
These hydrophilic in hydrophobic emulsions allowed the hydrogen peroxide to rapidly migrate to the hydrophilic tooth surface to yield high performance whitening with minimal side effects
Implementation Method 2
applying electromagnetic radiation to the at least one tooth
Data Source
AI summary
A system for delivering an active agent comprising an oral care composition, a delivery carrier, and optionally a device capable of producing electromagnetic radiation. The oral care composition can include a high internal phase oil-in-water emulsion and/or jammed oil-in-water emulsion. A method for delivering an active agent to an oral cavity including providing an oral care composition, contacting the oral care composition with at least one tooth, and optionally applying electromagnetic radiation to at least one tooth.