Polyanion-anchored calcium remineralization for enamel penetration
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current remineralization products, particularly calcium-phosphate systems, are ineffective in promoting tooth enamel and dentin remineralization due to rapid ion release and surface precipitation, leading to ineffective diffusion into deeper tooth layers and potential dental calculus formation.
Innovation Solution
A remineralization composition utilizing a polyanion as a multi-point anchor to bind and localize bioactive calcium ions or complexes on tooth surfaces, preventing surface precipitation and allowing for slow, sustained release and penetration into enamel and dentin, formulated without phosphates to avoid dental calculus formation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If calcium-phosphate systems are used to promote remineralization, then calcium and phosphate ions are released to form hydroxyapatite layer, but rapid ion release causes surface precipitation and dental calculus formation rather than effective remineralization
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses polycarboxylate polymers as intermediary carriers to bind calcium ions and control their release. The polymer acts as a mediator between the calcium source and the tooth surface, preventing direct precipitation while enabling controlled delivery. This resolves the contradiction by transforming the harmful rapid release into a beneficial controlled process through the intermediary polymer carrier.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical-chemical parameters of calcium delivery by complexing calcium ions with polycarboxylate polymers. This transformation alters the solubility, stability, and release kinetics of calcium, converting it from a rapidly precipitating ion into a controlled-release complex that can penetrate enamel without forming surface calculus.
2Quantity of substance
If calcium-phosphate systems rely on dissolution in aqueous solution to release ions, then calcium and phosphate become available for diffusion into enamel, but the low water solubility of calcium phosphate limits ion availability and remineralization efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the solubility parameter of calcium by forming water-soluble polycarboxylate-calcium complexes. This allows high concentrations of calcium to remain in solution without precipitating, significantly increasing ion availability while maintaining the ability to deliver sufficient quantities for effective remineralization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite system combining polycarboxylate polymers with calcium ions and other remineralizing agents. This composite formulation enhances the overall effectiveness by integrating multiple components that work synergistically - the polymer provides solubility and control, while the calcium and other agents provide the remineralizing action.
3Quantity of substance
If phosphate salts are incorporated into remineralization composition, then both calcium and phosphate ions are present to promote remineralization, but phosphate salts react with calcium containing salts to form precipitated calcium phosphate that must be re-dissolved before remineralizing
Solution Approach 1:
The polycarboxylate polymer serves as an intermediary that binds calcium ions and prevents them from reacting with phosphate salts to form precipitates. This mediator role allows both calcium and phosphate to coexist in the formulation without premature reaction, eliminating the need for re-dissolution steps and enabling immediate remineralization action.
4Reliability
If remineralization agents are applied to tooth surface, then they can interact with enamel to promote remineralization, but rapid surface precipitation forms a layer that prevents diffusion into deeper tooth layers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables continuous penetration and deposition of calcium ions throughout the enamel structure by preventing surface precipitation. The polycarboxylate-calcium complexes maintain a sustained concentration gradient that drives continuous diffusion into deeper layers, ensuring uninterrupted remineralization action from surface to depth without the blocking effect of precipitated layers.
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 achieves effective and continuous remineralization of both enamel and dentin by preventing surface precipitation and ensuring long-term deposition of remineralizing agents, enhancing tooth structure strength and resilience.
Implementation Method 1
Polyanions can chelate remineralizing agents and adhere to tooth surface
Implementation Method 2
the compositions can slowly release of reminieralizing agent(s) at the teeth and/or penetrate the remineralizing agent(s) into enamel/dentin
Data Source
AI summary
Dental remineralization compositions and methods are provided herein. In an aspect of the disclosure, a remineralization composition comprises a remineralizing agent and a polyanion serving as a multi-point anchor to localize the remineralizing agent on tooth surfaces. The remineralization composition can comprise a non-ionic surfactant that promotes formation of complexes between the remineralizing agent and the polyanion. In some aspects, the polyanion comprises poly(acrylic acid) sodium salt. In some aspects, the remineralizing agent comprises at least one of bioactive calcium containing compounds, bioactive calcium containing complexes, and free calcium ions formed once the bioactive calcium containing compounds contacts or mixes with water. In some aspects, the remineralization composition is free of phosphates and/or phosphate salts.