Dental Irrigation Formulation

Abstract

The present invention provides a formulation for increasing the efficiency and safety of cutting a tooth structure during dental procedures. In accordance with one form of the present invention, there is provided a formulation including 10 to 30% by weight of ethanol; 5 to 15% by weight of glycerol; 10 to 20% by weight of xylitol; 0.5 to 5% by weight of a nonionic surfactant and emulsifying agent; 0.15 to 0.5% by weight of a plurality of flavoring agents; and 51 to 77.5% by weight of water.

Claims

1. A dental irrigation composition comprising (a) 10 to 30% by weight of ethanol; (b) 5 to 15% by weight of glycerol; (c) 10 to 20% by weight of xylitol; (d) 0.5 to 5% by weight of a nonionic surfactant and emulsifying agent; (e) 0.15 to 0.5% by weight of a plurality of flavoring agents; and (f) 51 to 77.5% by weight of water.

2. The composition as recited in claim 1 wherein the nonionic surfactant and emulsifying agent is selected from the group consisting of polysorbate 20, polysorbate 80, and mixtures thereof.

3. The composition as recited in claim 1 wherein the plurality of flavoring agents is selected from a group consisting of spearmint oil, peppermint oil, wintergreen oil, 2-methylbutyl acetate, and mixtures thereof.

4. The composition as recited in claim 1 wherein the plurality of flavoring agents comprises: (a) 0.1 to 0.2% by weight of spearmint oil; (b) 0.03 to 0.1% by weight of peppermint oil; (c) 0.01 to 0.1% by weight of wintergreen oil; and (d) 0.01 to 0.1% by weight of 2-Methylbutyl acetate.

5. The composition as recited in claim 1 further comprising 0.01 to 0.05% by weight of citric acid.

6. The composition as recited in claim 1 further comprising 0.001 to 0.01% by weight of sodium percarbonate.

7. The composition as recited in claim 1 further comprising 0.001%-0.01% by weight of a color additive.

8. The composition as recited in claim 1 further comprising 0.001 to 0.01% by weight of EDTA.

9. The composition as recited in claim 1 comprising: (a) 10 to 30% by weight of ethanol; (b) 5 to 15% by weight of glycerol; (c) 10 to 20% by weight of xylitol; (d) 0.5 to 5% by weight of a nonionic surfactant and emulsifying agent; (e) 0.15 to 0.5% by weight of a plurality of flavoring agents; (f) 0.01 to 0.05% by weight of citric acid; (g) 0.001 to 0.01% by weight of sodium percarbonate (h) 0.001 to 0.01% by weight of EDTA; (i) 0.001 to 0.01% by weight of FD&C Blue No. 1 Lake; (j) 0.0001 to 0.001% by weight of silver nitrate; and (k) 51 to 77.5% by weight of water.

10. The composition as recited in claim 9 comprising: (a) 15% by weight of ethanol; (b) 15% by weight of glycerol; (c) 10% by weight of xylitol; (d) 1% by weight of a nonionic surfactant and emulsifying agent; (e) 0.3187% by weight of a plurality of flavoring agents; (f) 0.032% by weight of citric acid; (g) 0.0081% by weight of sodium percarbonate; (h) 0.0081% by weight of EDTA; (i) 0.004% by weight of FD&C Blue No. 1 Lake; (j) 0.000243% by weight of silver nitrate; and (k) 58.63% by weight of water.

11. The composition as recited in claim 10 comprising: (a) 15% by weight of ethanol; (b) 15% by weight of glycerol; (c) 10% by weight of xylitol; (d) 1% by weight of a nonionic surfactant and emulsifying agent; (e) 0.186% by weight of spearmint oil; (f) 0.06% by weight of peppermint oil; (g) 0.025% by weight of wintergreen oil; (h) 0.0477% by weight of 2-Methylbutyl acetate; (i) 0.032% by weight of citric acid; (j) 0.0081% by weight of sodium percarbonate; (k) 0.0081% by weight of EDTA; (I) 0.004% by weight of FD&C Blue No. 1 Lake; (m) 0.000243% by weight of silver nitrate; and (n) 58.63% by weight of water.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] The formulation for use in dental unit waterlines for providing improved dental cutting efficiency and bacteriostatic action necessary to provide decontamination maintenance of dental water lines is described herein. Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a dental irrigation formulation including: [0011] 10 to 30% by weight of ethanol; [0012] 5 to 15% by weight of glycerol; [0013] 10 to 20% by weight of xylitol; [0014] 0.5 to 5% by weight of polysorbate 20; [0015] 0.15 to 0.5% by weight of flavoring agents; [0016] 51 to 77.5% by weight of water.

[0017] Ethanol may be present in a concentration of from 10 to 30% by weight, more preferably from 10 to 15% by weight based upon the total weight of the composition. Ethanol serves as a lubricant for increased cutting efficiency.

[0018] Glycerol may be present in a concentration of from 5 to 15% by the total weight of the composition and serves as a lubricant for increased cutting efficiency.

[0019] Xylitol may be present in a concentration of from 10 to 20% by the total weight of the composition and serves to reduce decay via exposure.

[0020] Polysorbate 20 (Sorbitan monolaurate) may be present in a concentration of from 0.5 to 5% by the total weight of the composition and serves as a nonionic surfactant and emulsifying agent.

[0021] The flavoring agents may be present in a concentration of from 0.15 to 0.5% by the total weight of the composition and serves as a flavor enhancing component. Non-limiting examples of flavoring agents include Spearmint [Mentha spicata] oil, Peppermint [Mentha piperita] oil, Wintergreen [Gaultheria procumbens] oil, and 2-Methylbutyl acetate.

[0022] Accordingly, the formulation may further include one or more of the following: citric acid (0.01 to 0.05%), sodium percarbonate (0.001 to 0.01%), FD&C Blue No. 1 Lake (0.001 to 0.01%), silver nitrate (0.0001 to 0.0010%), and tetrasodium ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA). The citric acid serves as a mild buffering solution. The sodium percarbonate serves as an oxidizing agent. The FD&C Blue No. 1 Lake is a FDA-approved color additive which serves to provide a visual indicator of the irrigation supply level to dental personnel. The silver nitrate creates a bacteriostatic solution, which has been shown to inhibit recolonization of the small diameter water lines. The EDTA is a colorless, water-soluble solid that serves as a stabilizer.

[0023] The compositions of the present invention exhibit increased cutting efficiency and bacteriostatic action necessary to provide decontamination maintenance of dental water lines. The increased cutting efficiency promoted by the composition of the present invention results in less time and cost attributed per dental patient. The compositions of the present invention have high storage stability.

EXAMPLES

[0024] The compositions of the present invention are further illustrated by the examples below. The examples are only to illustrate the invention and should not be interpreted as limiting the scope of the invention since further modifications of the disclosed invention may be apparent to those skilled in the art. All such modifications are deemed to be within the scope of the claimed invention.

[0025] In a 750 mL solution of the dental irrigation formulation, one embodiment of the formulation includes:

TABLE-US-00001 Ingredient % W/W in 100 g Purpose Ethanol     16% Lubricant Glycerol     10% Lubricant Xylitol     13% Decay prevention Polysorbate 20     3% Emulsifying agent Spearmint oil   0.15% Taste 2-Methylbutyl acetate   0.05% Taste Silver nitrate 0.000243% Bacteriostatic Water   57.9% Solvent

[0026] In a 750 mL solution of the dental irrigation formulation, one embodiment of the formulation includes:

TABLE-US-00002 Ingredient % W/W in 100 g Purpose Ethanol     15% Lubricant Glycerol     10% Lubricant Xylitol     15% Decay prevention Polysorbate 20     5% Emulsifying agent Spearmint oil   0.15% Taste 2-Methylbutyl acetate   0.05% Taste Silver nitrate 0.000243% Bacteriostatic Water   54.8% Solvent

[0027] In a 750 mL solution of the dental irrigation formulation, one embodiment of the formulation includes:

TABLE-US-00003 Ingredient % W/W in 100 g Purpose Ethanol     15% Lubricant Glycerol     10% Lubricant Xylitol     15% Decay prevention Polysorbate 20     1% Emulsifying agent Spearmint oil   0.186% Taste Peppermint oil   0.06% Taste Wintergreen oil   0.025% Taste 2-Methylbutyl acetate  0.0477% Taste Citric acid   0.032% Buffering solution Sodium percarbonate  0.0081% Oxidizing agent EDTA  0.0081% Stabilizer FD&C Blue No. 1 Lake   0.004% Visual identifier Silver nitrate 0.000243% Bacteriostatic Water   58.63% Solvent

[0028] Results of the above-referenced example formulations have shown that dilute solutions of ethanol and glycerol added to dental irrigants can result in faster cutting rates of tooth structure with dental burs in high speed hand pieces. The mechanism of action is described as a chemo-mechanical effect. In the proposed formulation, ethanol and glycerol are used to increase cutting efficiency during tooth preparation. Additional agents are incorporated in the suggested formulation to act as emulsifiers. These can include polysorbate 80 and/or polysorbate 20. Emulsifiers offer the advantage of cleansing the work area by creating an emulsion of particulates and ground debris, as well as mucous and/or saliva that may be present in the oral cavity, making their removal from the field via evacuation easier.

[0029] In operation, the liquid formulation is intermittently introduced to the procedure site at a flow rate of approximately 30 ml/min for increasing the efficiency and safety of cutting a tooth structure (cooling), as well as the general experience for the patient with regards to taste and feel. Benefits of the dental irrigation formulation disclosed herein include:

[0030] (1) Disinfects and maintains water quality in small diameter dental unit water lines; (2) Provides pleasant taste and mouth feel for use in dental applications; (3) Improves cutting efficiency of tooth structure with diamond and carbide burs via chemo-mechanical effects; (4) Improves efficiency of ultrasonic cleaning tips used to clean teeth via chemo-mechanical defects; (5) Reduces bur clogging during preparation; (6) Helps dissolve and remove mucus and saliva during preparation, which results in cleaner final impressions; (7) May increase bond strength by removing smear layer during preparation; (8) Blue color helps dentist visualize the formulation fill levels in the bottle so that staff may be better prepared; and (9) May reduce cutting friction resulting in less hand piece maintenance.

[0031] Results have shown that increased cutting efficiency through use of the formulation of the present invention have decreased operation times by 60 minutes for certain procedures.

[0032] While the present invention has been shown and described in accordance with several preferred and practical embodiments, it is recognized that departures from the instant disclosure are contemplated within the spirit and scope of the present invention.