Zinc-Fluoride Oral Care Delivery System for Stain-Free Caries Treatment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current dental treatments using zinc and fluoride compositions face challenges such as instability in aqueous solutions, light sensitivity, and difficulty in reaching interproximal tooth surfaces, leading to ineffective caries prevention and potential staining.

Innovation Solution

A dental article comprising a zinc-fluoride composition with a zinc carboxylate, an amine-containing ligand, and a source of fluoride, formulated to maintain stability and solubility, packaged in an impermeable container to prevent water loss, and applied using various applicators to access interproximal areas.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If zinc fluoride is used in aqueous solution for caries treatment, then antibacterial and remineralization effects are achieved, but the composition becomes unstable and precipitates out of solution

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestability of zinc fluoride in aqueous solutionVSAvoidsolubility of zinc fluoride

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces water-soluble zinc precursors (such as zinc acetate, zinc citrate, or zinc gluconate) as intermediary compounds that can dissolve in aqueous solutions. These precursors then react with fluoride sources to form zinc fluoride complexes in situ, avoiding the direct use of insoluble zinc fluoride while still achieving the desired antibacterial and remineralization effects.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent modifies the chemical parameters of the zinc-fluoride composition by controlling pH levels, using chelating agents, and adjusting the ratio of zinc precursor to fluoride source. These parameter changes enable the formation of stable, soluble zinc-fluoride complexes that remain in solution rather than precipitating out.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If silver diamine fluoride is used to treat caries, then antibacterial and remineralization effects are achieved, but silver phosphate forms and stains teeth black when exposed to light

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveantibacterial and remineralization efficacyVSAvoidlight sensitivity and black staining

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes silver from the composition entirely, replacing it with zinc-based compounds. This extraction of the harmful silver component eliminates the light sensitivity and black staining problems while retaining the essential antibacterial and remineralization functions through zinc and fluoride.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses zinc carboxylate complexes that are stable in aqueous solution but can be easily rinsed away after treatment. Unlike silver compounds that form permanent black stains, the zinc-based composition provides temporary treatment effects without long-term aesthetic side effects.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Reliability

If conventional dental compositions are used to treat interproximal surfaces, then caries treatment is attempted, but the composition cannot efficiently access hard-to-reach areas between teeth

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecaries treatment effectivenessVSAvoidaccessibility to interproximal surfaces

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes the fluid properties of the aqueous zinc-fluoride composition to enable it to flow and penetrate into narrow interproximal spaces between teeth. The liquid formulation can be delivered via syringe or applicator to reach areas that are difficult to access with traditional paste or powder formulations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

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 effectively reduces bacteria and remineralizes tooth surfaces without staining, extending the shelf-life of the composition and ensuring efficient application to hard-to-reach areas, while maintaining stability and solubility.

Implementation Method 1

The composition may include a zinc carboxylate, an amine-containing ligand, a source of fluoride anion effective to provide fluoride in an amount of at least 4 wt % with respect to the weight of the zinc-fluoride composition

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectComplex formation: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 2

The package may be impermeable to water

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhysical containment: Physical Containment

Data Source

PatentUS20230087246A1Delivery system for aqueous zinc oral care compositions with fluoride

Publication Date: 2023.03.23 SOLVENTUM INTELLECTUAL PROPERTIES CO

AI summary

Zinc-fluoride compositions, dental articles comprising zinc-fluoride compositions, and methods for reducing bacteria on a tooth surface and/or remineralizing a tooth surface are described.