Poly(2-ethyl-2-oxazoline) Gel for Stable High-Concentration Peroxide Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current thickeners for peroxide-based dental bleaching gels are unstable in high hydrogen peroxide environments, leading to degradation and reduced bleaching efficacy, and existing delivery systems, such as trays and strips, are messy and inefficient due to fluid runoff and saliva interference.
Innovation Solution
A stable thickener, Poly(2-ethyl-2-oxazoline), is used to create a visco-elastic gel that maintains high hydrogen peroxide concentrations and adheres to dental arches, providing a customizable, mess-free delivery system for dental treatments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If conventional thickeners (e.g., CARBOPOL) are used in high hydrogen peroxide compositions, then the gel can be formed for delivery, but the thickener degrades quickly due to peroxide oxidation, losing thickening properties and forming decomposition bubbles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameter of the thickener by selecting a polymer with specific resistance to peroxide oxidation. The new thickener maintains its molecular structure and thickening properties in high peroxide environments where conventional thickeners degrade, enabling stable gels with high hydrogen peroxide concentrations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite system by combining hydrogen peroxide with a specifically selected polymer thickener that is chemically compatible. This composite formulation achieves both high peroxide concentration and long-term stability, resolving the contradiction between quantity of peroxide and reliability of the thickener.
2Ease of operation
If liquid or gel treatment compositions are applied directly to teeth, then the active ingredient can contact the teeth, but the composition runs off due to gravity and is washed away by saliva, reducing treatment efficacy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a flexible polymer thickener that forms a gel matrix capable of adhering to tooth surfaces. This gel acts as a flexible film that remains in place despite gravity and saliva flow, allowing direct application while maintaining treatment retention through the gel's adhesive properties and viscoelastic structure.
3Reliability
If hydrogen peroxide is diluted to increase stability, then the peroxide becomes less aggressive and more stable, but the bleaching efficacy is reduced due to lower hydrogen peroxide concentration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical environment parameters by selecting a polymer thickener that is resistant to peroxide oxidation. This allows the formulation to maintain high hydrogen peroxide concentration without rapid degradation, achieving both high quantity of active ingredient and long-term stability simultaneously.
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 solution results in a stable, high-concentration hydrogen peroxide gel that maintains its form for extended periods, effectively adheres to teeth, and reduces mess and inefficiency in dental treatment delivery, allowing for customizable trays that conform to individual dental arches.
Implementation Method 1
Poly(2-ethyl-2-oxazoline), a new thickener that is stable in a peroxide environment and creates a gel consistency
Implementation Method 2
there are very few thickeners that can withstand a peroxide environment. Most polymers will degrade quickly in a peroxide environment and will lose their thickening properties entirely
Implementation Method 3
effectively adheres to teeth
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention is a formable dental treatment tray utilizing poly(2-ethyl-2-oxazoline) and a gelatinous active. Blending of the active is accomplished by mixing the Poly(2-ethyl-2-oxazoline) with an active ingredient, such as a peroxide like hydrogen peroxide, carbamide peroxide, sodium perborate, or sodium percarbonate, usually also with water or an appropriate organic solvent. Peroxide concentrations in these new gels can reach a 30% concentration of hydrogen peroxide while maintaining a shelf life of six months at room temperature without developing peroxide decomposition. The gels are applied to an appropriate backing and dried to a gelatinous state. In use, the active is hydrated and regains adhesiveness. Then the tray is pressed and formed around a user's dental arch to form the customizable tray. Multiple active ingredients may be used, with or without peroxide, for accomplishing desired treatment regimens.