Multi-Phase Oral Care Compositions for Whitening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current dental whitening products face challenges in achieving improved bleaching efficacy, increased speed of whitening, reduced tooth sensitivity, and decreased oral soft tissue irritation, often resulting in increased irritation and sensitivity due to higher bleaching agent concentrations, which are also restricted by regulatory limits.
Innovation Solution
A multi-phase oral composition comprising hydrophilic bleaching agent particles in a hydrophobic phase, where the hydrophobic phase is predominant, is applied to teeth and exposed to light radiation, allowing for effective bleaching with lower bleaching agent concentrations and reduced sensitivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the concentration of bleaching agent is increased to improve bleaching efficacy and speed of whitening, then the whitening effect is enhanced, but tooth sensitivity and oral soft tissue irritation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The bleaching agent is incorporated into particles that swell upon contact with water, creating a reservoir that releases the active ingredient gradually over time. This preliminary preparation allows the bleaching agent to be delivered in controlled amounts, achieving effective whitening while minimizing sudden high-concentration exposure that causes sensitivity and irritation.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical state and release characteristics of the bleaching agent by using water-swellable particles. This parameter change transforms the delivery mechanism from direct application of high concentration to controlled release, maintaining efficacy while reducing harmful effects on teeth and soft tissues.
2Productivity
If the concentration of bleaching agent is increased to improve bleaching efficacy, then the whitening effect is enhanced, but regulatory compliance is compromised due to concentration limits
Solution Approach 1:
The bleaching agent is pre-incorporated into particles with controlled swelling properties, allowing the use of lower overall concentrations that comply with regulatory limits while still achieving effective whitening through sustained release and prolonged contact time.
Solution Approach 2:
The water-swellable particles provide continuous release of the bleaching agent over an extended period, allowing lower concentrations to maintain effective levels at the tooth surface for longer durations, thereby achieving regulatory compliance while preserving bleaching efficacy.
3Stability of the object's composition
If a hydrophobic phase is used to stabilize the bleaching agent, then the composition stability is improved, but the bleaching agent release and effectiveness may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses water as an intermediary substance that triggers the swelling of particles and facilitates the release of the bleaching agent from the hydrophobic phase. This intermediary mechanism allows the composition to remain stable in the hydrophobic environment while still enabling effective release when water is present in the oral cavity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention exploits the phase transition of the particle material from a compact state to a swollen state upon water contact. This phase transition increases the surface area and porosity of the particles, enabling the bleaching agent to be released from the hydrophobic phase effectively when needed, thus maintaining both stability and effectiveness.
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 delivers enhanced whitening benefits with lower bleaching agent levels, minimizing tooth sensitivity and irritation while adhering to regulatory guidelines, by stabilizing the bleaching agents until activation on the tooth surface.
Implementation Method 1
the hydrophilic bleaching agent particles swells by at least about 20% upon contact with water
Implementation Method 2
after the first period of time, directing a light radiation toward the at least one tooth for a second period of time
Data Source
AI summary
A method of treating teeth includes applying a semisolid oral dispersion to at least one tooth. The semisolid oral dispersion includes a hydrophilic discontinuous phase comprising bleaching agent particles and a hydrophobic continuous phase comprising petrolatum. The method further includes maintaining the semisolid oral dispersion on the at least one tooth for a first period of time, and, after the first period of time, directing a light radiation toward the at least one tooth for a second period of time, the first period of time having a duration greater than 50% of a total duration of the first period of time and the second period of time.