SEQUENTIAL MATERIAL DEPOSITION FOR DESENSITIZATION AND REMINERALIZATION OF TEETH

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method of remineralizing and desensitizing teeth utilizing the sequential steps of first applying to the teeth a first component that attaches to the teeth and secondly applying to the teeth treated with the first component a second component that attaches to the first component.

Claims

1. A method of desensitizing teeth, comprising the steps of: (a) applying to the teeth a first component selected from the group consisting of (b) nanoparticles, microparticles, polymer films, phospholipids and small molecules that attaches to the teeth; and (c) applying to the teeth treated with the first component a second component that cross-links to the first component.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said first component comprises negatively charged components and said second component comprises positively charged components.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein said first component is selected from the group consisting of bare and functionalized silica particles, chondroitin, hyaluronic acid, nucleic acids, citrates, and polymer films and wherein said second component is selected from the group consisting of chitosan, polylysine, arginine, calcium cations, proteins, functionalized nano- and micro-particles, and polymer films.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein said first component comprises positively charged components and said second component comprises negatively charged components.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein said first component is selected from the group consisting of chitosan, polylysine, arginine, calcium cations, proteins, functionalized nano- and microparticles, and polymer films and wherein said second component is selected from the group consisting of bare and functionalized silica particles, chondroitin, hyaluronic acid, nucleic acids, citrates, and polymer films.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein either said first or second component further comprises nanoparticles, microparticles, polymer films, phospholipids, and small molecules, pristine or modified by remineralizing, desensitizing, antibacterial, fluoride-supplying, and other functional groups.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein said first and second components are contained in different dentifrices, such as toothpaste, mouth rinse, chewing gum, dental floss, toothpicks, dentures, retainers, and the like, or foods, and are deposited on the tooth surface by sequential application of the listed dentifrices or consumption of foods, or combinations of thereof.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein said cross-linked first and second components form an occlusive deposit sufficiently persistent and durable to withstand an ultrasound challenge.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] FIG. 1 shows no adhesion of a leading titanium dioxide-containing toothpaste to dentin.

[0010] FIG. 2 shows adhesion of a leading titanium dioxide-containing toothpaste to dentin pre-treated with chondroitin. The adhesion achieved by this method is resistant toward challenge with 30 seconds of ultrasound.

[0011] FIG. 3 shows occlusion of dentinal tubules by carboxylated silica nanoparticles. The adhesion achieved by this method is resistant toward challenge with 30 seconds of ultrasound.

[0012] FIG. 4 shows occlusion of dentinal tubules by the sequential deposition of chitosan and alginate. The adhesion achieved by this method is resistant toward challenge with 30 seconds of ultrasound.

[0013] FIG. 5 shows the dentin surface following dentifrice application with or without chondroitin sulfate pre-treatment. (a) The surface after treatment with toothpaste and 30 seconds of ultrasonication. (b) Sensodyne treatment followed by a 30 seconds of ultrasonication. (c) 1 min chondroitin sulfate pretreatment followed by application of a leading titanium dioxide-containing toothpaste and a 30 seconds of ultrasonication. (d) 1 min chondroitin sulfate pretreatment followed by application of Sensodyne ProNamel and a 30 second ultrasonication.

[0014] FIG. 6 shows little occlusion of dentinal tubules by 1% arginate.

[0015] FIG. 7 shows significant occlusion of dentinal tubules by 1% arginate followed by treatment with calcium ions. The adhesion achieved by this method is resistant toward challenge with 30 seconds of ultrasound.

[0016] FIG. 8 shows tubule occlusion by sequential treatment with 1% chitosan and 10% sodium citrate. The adhesion achieved by this method is resistant toward challenge with 30 seconds of ultrasound.

[0017] FIG. 8 shows no adhesion of bentonite to dentin.

[0018] FIG. 9 shows adhesion of bentonite to dentin pretreated with calcium ions. The adhesion achieved by this method is resistant toward challenge with 30 seconds of ultrasound.

[0019] FIG. 10 shows adhesion of bentonite to dentin pretreated with calcium ions at a higher magnification level than FIG. 9.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0020] The subject of the invention is delivery of remineralizing, desensitizing, and other functional components to the tooth surface by the sequential deposition of oppositely charged (or non-electrostatically interacting) components on the tooth surface, especially inside dentinal tubules. Those components include nanoparticles, microparticles, polymer films, phospholipids, and small molecules, pristine or modified by remineralizing, desensitizing, antibacterial, fluoride-supplying, and other functional groups. The components are contained in different dentifrices (toothpaste, mouth rinse, chewing gum, dental floss, toothpicks, etc.), dentures, retainers, mouth guards, or foods and are deposited on the tooth surface by sequential application of the listed dentifrices, consumption of foods, or combinations thereof. The positively charged components may include chitosan, polylysine, arginine, calcium cations, proteins, functionalized nano- and micro-particles, and polymer films. The negatively charged components may include bare and functionalized silica particles, chondroitin, hyaluronic acid, alginate, nucleic acids, citrates, and polymer films. The neutral components may include phospholipids, particles of calcium citrate, and particles of hydroxyapatite. The components form the functional material at the tooth surface and inside the dentinal tubules by the mechanism of layer-by-layer deposition, cross-linking, or combinations of both. In certain instances, the energy of chewing can be harnessed to mix the components and initiate their layer-by-layer deposition, cross-linking, or both.

[0021] The new methods enable the synergistic effect of desensitizing and remineralizing due to the known effect of guided remineralization of hydroxyapatite on matrixes of biopolymers. Thus, deposition of hydroxyapatite on chitosan-chondroitin matrixes is one of the chief foci of bone tissue bioengineering (10).

[0022] It is an object of the present invention to prevent or ameliorate the incidence of dental caries and treat hypersensitivity of the teeth, thereby improving the quality of life of subjects and reducing health care costs. Another object of the present invention is to provide products that can be used not only by health care providers when treating patients but also by subjects on their own. A further object of the invention is to open up an entirely new market of tooth-healing foods.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0023] The approach of the present invention of sequential application utilizes advantages of the layer-by-layer deposition of materials chemically or physically bound to one another. This methodology will create a robust desensitizing seal inside the dentin tubules. Since the deposited materials can be imparted with additional desensitizing, antibacterial, remineralizing, and drug-delivering (such as fluoride) properties, the proposed technique is a significant improvement versus existing dentifrice materials. In addition, the capability of multilayer films to deliver functional materials (fluoride, calcium, potassium, eugenol, etc.) to the tooth surface and saliva in a time-controlled fashion is especially critical for the prolonged periods between meals when the natural saliva (stationary saliva) flow is the lowest, least alkaline, and minimally protective to the tooth. The employed components can be selected from a wide range of non-toxic natural materials such as chondroitin, calcium citrate, chitosan, and strawberry DNA. A significant innovation of the new method is utilizing the synergistic effect of desensitization and remineralization due to the guided deposition of hydroxyapatite on the scaffolds formed by the desensitizing agents in the process of dentinal tubule occlusion. Utilization of a food-grade alginate cross-linked by calcium ions, may allow for the use of culinary recipes instead of medicated compositions. The term dentifrice as used throughout this description, denotes a paste, gel, or liquid formulation. The dentifrice may be in any desired form, such as toothpaste (including, but not limited to, deep striped, surface striped, multi-layered, having a gel surround the paste); powder, beads; mouthwash; mouth rinses; lozenge; dental gel; periodontal gel; liquid suitable for painting a dental surface; chewing gum; dissolvable, partially dissolvable, or non-dissolvable film or strip; wafer; wipe or towelette; implant; foam; troche; dental floss; liquid formulated for oral application in a small, portable nebulizer (spray bottle); liquid formulated for oral application in a small, portable, drop-generating bottle; soft pliable tablet (chew); or any combinations thereof.

[0024] The invention will now be described with reference to the following non-limiting examples.

Example 1

[0025] Application 1: Toothpaste containing potassium carboxylate-functionalized silica nanoparticles that, due to the presence of carboxy-groups, bind to the tooth surface occluding the tubules and additionally delivering the desensitizing material (potassium cation) to the tooth. See FIG. 3.

[0026] Application 2: Mouth rinse containing antibacterial chitosan nanoparticles (positively charged) that cover the already deposited silica nanoparticles (negatively charged) and seal the tubules enhancing the desensitizing effect.

Example 2

[0027] Application 1: Mouth rinse containing antibacterial chitosan (positively charged) that electrostatically interacts with dentin.

[0028] Application 2: Mouth rinse containing alginate (negatively charged) that covers the already deposited chitosan (positively charged) and seals the tubules enhancing the desensitizing effect. Any concentration of chitosan and alginate up to about 20% can be used. The deposited chitosan provides a site for remineralization due to its affinity for calcium ions. See FIG. 4.

Example 3

[0029] Application 1: Toothpaste containing nanocrystals of hydroxyapatite coated with chondroitin sulfate that bind to the tooth surface due to the presence of carboxy-groups in chondroitin and deliver the remineralizing material (hydroxyapatite) to the tooth.

[0030] Application 2: Mouth rinse containing antibacterial chitosan nanoparticles (positively charged) that cover the already deposited chondroitin (negatively charged) and seal the tubules enhancing the desensitizing effect. In addition, the chitosan-chondroitin scaffold will promote remineralization by hydroxyapatite and its components from saliva.

[0031] Application 3: Dental floss or toothpicks functionalized by hydroxyapatite or calcium citrate will provide additional material for remineralization.

Example 4

[0032] Application 1: Toothpaste containing nanocrystals of hydroxyapatite coated with DNA, including without limitation strawberry DNA, that bind to the tooth surface due to the presence of phosphate-groups in the DNA and deliver the remineralizing material (hydroxyapatite) to the tooth.

[0033] Application 2: Dental floss modified with eugenol-loaded antibacterial chitosan nanoparticles (positively charged) that cover the already deposited DNA (negatively charged) and seal the tubules enhancing the desensitizing effect, which is additionally enforced by eugenol.

Example 5

[0034] Application 1: Toothpaste containing nanocrystals of calcium citrate grown in the presence of chondroitin sulfate that bind to the tooth surface due to the presence of carboxy-groups in chondroitin and deliver the remineralizing material (calcium) to the tooth.

[0035] Application 2: Mouth rinse containing antibacterial chitosan nanoparticles (positively charged) that cover the already deposited chondroitin (negatively charged) and seal the tubules enhancing the desensitizing effect. In addition, the chitosan-chondroitin scaffold will promote remineralization by hydroxyapatite and its components from saliva.

[0036] Application 3: Dental floss or toothpicks functionalized by hydroxyapatite or calcium citrate will provide additional material for remineralization.

Example 6

[0037] Application 1: Mouth rinse containing potassium chondroitin sulfate that binds to the tooth surface due to the presence of carboxy-groups in chondroitin, and delivers the desensitizing material (potassium) to the tooth.

[0038] Application 2: Mouth rinse containing antibacterial chitosan fluoride nanoparticles (positively charged) that cover the already deposited chondroitin (negatively charged), seal the tubules enhancing the desensitizing effect, and deliver fluoride strengthening the tooth. In addition, the chitosan-chondroitin scaffold will promote remineralization by hydroxyapatite and its components from saliva.

[0039] Application 3: Dental floss or toothpicks functionalized by hydroxyapatite or calcium citrate will provide additional material for remineralization.

Example 7

[0040] Application 1: Mouth rinse containing potassium chondroitin sulfate that binds to the tooth surface due to the presence of carboxy-groups in chondroitin, and delivers the desensitizing material (potassium) to the tooth. Dentin samples were submersed for 15 seconds or more in the prepared chondroitin sulfate solution at 1 C. to 10 C. and rinsed with water.

[0041] Application 2: An existing toothpaste containing titanium dioxide particles that bind to the chondroitin layer due to the complexation of carboxy-groups with titanium, seal the tubules, and thus deliver the desensitizing effect to the tooth. The chondroitin sulfate-treated samples were gently brushed with either a leading titanium dioxide-containing toothpaste, or Sensodyne for 5 seconds or more and then rinsed with water.

[0042] The adhesion achieved by this method is resistant toward 30 seconds of ultrasound challenge. We have found that the occlusion induced by Sensodyne alone does not withstand the ultrasound challenge.

Example 8

[0043] Application 1: Mouth rinse containing potassium alginate that binds to the tooth surface due to the presence of carboxy-groups in alginate. Dentin samples were treated with an aqueous alginate solution (0.001-10% alginate) mimicking a mouth rinse for at least one second. See FIG. 6.

[0044] Application 2: Mouth rinse containing calcium ions that cross-link the alginate polymer due to its affinity for calcium-ions and delivers desensitizing effects to the tooth. Dentin samples pre-treated with alginate (Example 1) were treated with an aqueous calcium salt (0.001-40 w % of Ca.sup.2+) mimicking a mouth rinse for at least 1 second. See FIG. 7.

Example 9

[0045] Application 1: Mouth rinse containing a chitosan-phosphate gel that penetrates dentinal tubules via capillary action.

[0046] Application 2: Temperature rises to the body temperature, which hardens the gel and causes tubule occlusion.

Example 10

[0047] Application 1: Consumption of a food containing potassium alginate that binds to the tooth surface due to the presence of carboxy-groups in alginate and delivers the desensitizing material (potassium) to the tooth.

[0048] Application 2: Consumption of a calcium-rich food such as milk. Calcium cations cross-link the alginate inside the dentinal tubules, forming an occlusion matrix loaded with a remineralizing component.

Example 11

[0049] Application 1: Wearing dentures, athletic mouth guards, or overnight retainers or mouth guards charged with alginate nanoparticles that bind to the tooth surface due to the presence of carboxy-groups in alginate, and deliver the desensitizing material (potassium) to the tooth.

[0050] Application 2: Consumption of a calcium-rich food such as milk. Calcium cations cross-link the alginate inside the dentin tubules, forming an occlusion matrix loaded with a remineralizing component.

Example 12

[0051] Application 1: Mouth rinse containing antibacterial chitosan (positively charged) that electrostatically interacts with dentin.

[0052] Application 2: Mouth rinse containing citrate-ions that cross-link the already deposited chitosan and seal the tubules delivering the desensitizing effect. Additionally, presence of citrate ion strengthens the bone and provides a site for remineralization due to its affinity to calcium ions. See FIG. 8.

Example 13

[0053] Application 1: Chewing gum containing layers of potassium alginate that bind to the tooth surface due to the presence of carboxy-groups in alginate and deliver the desensitizing material (potassium) to the tooth.

[0054] Application 2: Additional layers of the same chewing gum containing calcium chondroitin that is mixed with the alginate by the energy of chewing and cross-linked. The tubules are occluded, and the desensitizing material (potassium) is delivered to the tooth.

Example 14

[0055] Application 1: Chewing gum containing microcapsules of potassium alginate that bind to the tooth surface due to the presence of carboxy-groups in alginate and deliver the desensitizing material (potassium) to the tooth.

[0056] Application 2: Additional layers of the same chewing gum containing microcapsules of calcium chondroitinate that is mixed with the alginate by the energy of chewing and cross-linked. The tubules are occluded, and the desensitizing material (potassium) is delivered to the tooth.

Example 15

[0057] Application 1: Mouth rinse containing calcium ions that are adsorbed on the tooth surface. Dentin samples were treated with an aqueous calcium salt (0.001-40 w % of Ca.sup.2+) mimicking a mouth rinse for at least 1 second.

[0058] Application 2: A toothpaste containing particles of bentonite that bind to the deposited calcium due to the complexation of negatively charged groups of bentonite with calcium, occlude the tubules, and thus deliver the desensitizing effect to the tooth. The Ca.sup.2+-pretreated dentin samples (Application 1) were brushed with bentonite to model a bentonite-based toothpaste for at least 2 seconds. See FIGS. 9 and 10.

[0059] The foregoing description and drawings comprise illustrative embodiments of the present inventions. The foregoing embodiments and the methods described herein may vary based on the ability, experience, and preference of those skilled in the art. Merely listing the steps of the method in a certain order does not constitute any limitation on the order of the steps of the method. The foregoing description and drawings merely explain and illustrate the invention, and the invention is not limited thereto, except insofar as the claims are so limited. Those skilled in the art who have the disclosure before them will be able to make modifications and variations therein without departing from the scope of the invention.

REFERENCES

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