Abstract:
An oral care product comprising a first composition comprising an insoluble calcium salt that is not a 5 calcium phosphate salt, a second independent composition comprising a source of phosphate ions, and a means for delivering each of the compositions to the surface of the teeth.
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Notices, Deadlines & Correspondence
FORM - 2
THE PATENTS ACT, 1970
(39 of 1970)
&
The Patents Rules, 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
(See Section 10 and Rule 13)
ORAL CARE PRODUCT
HINDUSTAN UNILEVER LIMITED, a company incorporated under
the Indian Companies Act, 1913 and having its registered office
at 165/166, Backbay Reclamation, Mumbai -400 020, Maharashtra, India
The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed
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ORAL CARE PRODUCT
The present invention relates to an oral care product suitable for maintaining and/or enhancing the quality of 5 teeth. The product comprises compositions that react together to ultimately form hydroxyapatite on the teeth surface, a material that can lead to remineralisation and/or whitening of the teeth.
10 Due to today's lifestyles with increasing consumption of acidic drinks and foods, tooth erosion is becoming more prevalent and common. Enamel, the hard, protective coating of the tooth, is susceptible to attack by acid, leading to the enamel becoming softer and ultimately to the exposure of
15 the sensitive dentin underneath the enamel. There is a need to reduce or counter the erosion of peoples' tooth enamel in order to maintain good oral health.
Many oral care products seek to counter erosion of enamel by 20 "remineralisation" using fluoride ions according to the following reaction scheme:
25 The hydroxyl ion is replaced by the fluoride ion and the resulting fluoroapatite composition is harder than the original hydroxyapatite composition and more resistant to the acidic attack. Unfortunately, however, such ion replacement through fluoride treatment cannot achieve a
30 complete restoration of the lost minerals. The method is a preventive treatment and does not actively recover
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demineralised teeth to their original chemical and mechanical state.
The enamel layer of the tooth is naturally an opaque white 5 or slightly off-white colour; however, this enamel layer can become stained or discoloured. The enamel layer of the tooth is composed of hydroxyapatite mineral crystals that create a somewhat porous surface. It is believed that this porous nature of the enamel layer is what allows staining 10 agents and discolouring substances to permeate the enamel and discolour the tooth.
Many substances can stain or reduce the whiteness of one' s teeth; in particular, certain foods, tobacco products, and
15 fluids such as tea and coffee. These staining and
discolouring substances are often able to permeate the enamel layer. This problem occurs gradually over many years, but imparts a noticeable discoloration of the enamel of one's teeth.
20
A variety of products are currently used for teeth whitening. Such products often comprise a peroxide compound (alone or on combination with enzymes). Such products may be used in the form of strips. Such products generally have
25 to be removed after a well defined time, the peroxide
causing damage to the teeth and/or gums if left too long. A particular problem with peroxide (and toothpastes comprising abrasive cleaners) is that it can roughen the surface of the teeth.
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US 5,605,675 (Enamelon, 1997) discloses a process for remineralisation of dental enamel by application of a two-phase composition; one phase containing a water-soluble calcium compound and one phase containing a water soluble 5 inorganic phosphate and a water-soluble fluorine compound.
US 4,083,955 (P&G, 1978) discloses a process for remineralisation of dental enamel by sequential application of two compositions, the first comprising calcium ions and 10 second comprising phosphate ions, or vice versa.
WO 04/017929 (Septodont ou Specialites Sepodont S.A., 2004) discloses a preparation containing: an aqueous liquid part, a solid part comprising at least one silicate selected from 15 tricalcium silicate and dicalcium silicate; calcium chloride and a water reducing agent, to be used to restore a mineralised substance, particularly in the dental field.
An object of the present invention is to provide a product 20 which remineralises eroded teeth and/or whitens the teeth without the need for bleaching chemicals.
The present invention involves delivering an insoluble calcium salt to the surface of the teeth and converting this 25 salt into hydroxyapatite in situ by the simultaneous or
sequential application of a source of phosphate ions. The insoluble calcium salt and the phosphates ions are delivered from independent compositions and their ability to interact prematurely is thereby minimised.
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The in situ generation of hydroxyapatite results in remineralisation of the teeth, potentially reducing the likelihood of tooth decay and improving the appearance of the teeth, in particular their whiteness. The teeth may 5 also appear smoother and shinier as a result. Since many "whitening" treatments result in a roughening of the tooth surface, the ability to whiten and yet reduce surface roughness is a particular benefit of the present invention.
10 The in situ generation of hydroxyapatite is principally
targeting at the enamel; however, it is also expected that any exposed dentin may also be beneficially affected in similar manner.
15 In a first aspect of the present invention, there is
provided an oral care product comprising a first composition comprising an insoluble calcium salt that is not a calcium phosphate salt, a second independent composition comprising a source of phosphate ions, and a means for delivering each
20 of the compositions to the surface of the teeth.
In a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of remineralising and/or whitening the teeth comprising the steps of treating the teeth with a 25 first composition comprising an insoluble calcium salt that is not a calcium phosphate salt and a second independent composition comprising a source of phosphate ions.
In a third aspect of the present invention, there is 30 provided a product comprising a first composition comprising an insoluble calcium salt that is not a calcium phosphate
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salt in combination with a second independent composition comprising a source of phosphate ions for use as a medicament.
5 In a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the use of a first composition comprising an insoluble calcium salt that is not a calcium phosphate salt in combination with a second independent composition comprising a source of phosphate ions for the manufacture of 10 an oral care product. Such products may be used to improve tooth whiteness, reduce tooth decay, and/or reduce sensitivity.
It is believed that the use of an insoluble source of 15 calcium ions enables the calcium to be deposited onto the teeth before premature interaction with phosphate in the saliva of the oral cavity can occur. Having deposited on the tooth enamel and/or dentin, slow reaction with the phosphate present in the saliva and, importantly, that added 20 with the second composition, results in hydroxyapatite being produced exactly where it is required.
The insoluble calcium salt used in the first composition may be any salt capable of delivery to the surface of the teeth 25 when the composition is applied, other than a calcium
phosphate. Hence, calcium salts such as hydroxyapatite and fluoroapatite are not included as suitable salts.
Preferably, the insoluble calcium salt is calcium silicate, 50 present as the composite material calcium oxide-silica: CaO-Si02. The use of this insoluble calcium salt is preferred
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because of its excellent conversion to hydroxyapatite on the tooth surface. Without wishing to be bound by theory, it is believed that the calcium silicate reacts with phosphate ions to form a calcium silicate-phosphate cement (CSPC) and 5 that this material bonds strongly to the teeth and then gradually transforms into hydroxyapatite on the tooth surface. It is believed that the high affinity of the CSPC for the tooth surface underlies the superior remineralisation and whitening benefits obtained.
10
When calcium silicate is employed, its ratio of calcium to silicon (Ca:Si) may be from 1:10 to 3:1. The Ca:Si ratio is preferably from 1:5 to 2:1, more preferably from 1:3 to 1:1, and most preferably it is about 1:2. The calcium silicate
15 may comprise mono-calcium silicate, bi-calcium silicate, or tri-calcium silicate. Higher ratios of calcium to silicate are preferred because such ratios are believed to enhance active bonding to the tooth surface and subsequent transformation into hydroxyapatite; however, lower ratios
20 are preferred for ease of obtaining the desired pH {vide infra) .
Throughout this specification, ratios of calcium to silicon (Ca:Si) should be understood to be atom ratios.
25
Preferably, the insoluble calcium salt is a "biomaterial", by which is meant a material that is capable of bonding to human and/or animal tissue. It is especially preferred that the biomaterial is able to bond to tooth enamel and/or tooth
30 dentin.
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It should be understood that the terms "insoluble" and "soluble" as used in this specification refer to a material's insolubility or solubility in water at temperatures typically found in the oral cavity. Insoluble 5 calcium salts have a solubility of less than 0.01 mol/L.
The content of the insoluble calcium salt in the first composition is typically from 0.1 to 50%, particularly from 1 to 30%, and especially from 5 to 20% by weight.
10
The insoluble calcium salt may be in a crystalline or amorphous state; preferably it is in an amorphous state; more preferably it is in a mesoporous state, i.e. it is a material having pores with diameters from 1 to 50 microns.
15 Mesoporous calcium silicate is particularly preferred and is abbreviated as MCS in this specification.
In one aspect of the invention, there is present MCS having
an average pore size (diameter) of preferably from 0.4 to 4
20 nm, more preferably from 0.4 to 3.5 run, and most preferably
from 0.4 to 3 nm.
In another aspect of the invention, there is present MCS having an average pore size (diameter) of preferably from 2 25 to 4 nm, more preferably from 2 to 3.5 nm, and most preferably from 2 to 3 nm.
In a further aspect of the invention, there is present MCS having an average pore size (diameter) of preferably from 1 30 to 2.7 nm and more preferably from 1.35 to 2.45 nm.
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The pore size may be measured using any suitable method or means. For example, the pore size may be measured using BET nitrogen sorption or mercury porosimetxy techniques (particularly BET nitrogen sorption techniques). 5
Preferably, the first composition is substantially free of phosphate ions. By the term ^substantially free" we mean that relative to the weight of the calcium ions, the amount of phosphate ions is less than 2.5%, particularly less than
]0 1%, more particularly less than 0.1%, and especially less than 0.01% by weight. It is possible to prepare calcium oxide-silica containing less than 0.005% by weight of phosphate ions by using high purity starting materials, for example using calcium nitride supplied by China National
15 Pharmaceutical Group Corporation (SINOPHARM), Beijing, which has a purity of greater than 99%.
Preferably, the first composition is substantially free of fluoride ions. By the term "substantially free" we mean
20 that relative to the weight of the calcium in the insoluble calcium salt, the amount of fluoride ions is less than 2.5%, particularly less than 1%, more particularly less than 0.1%, and especially less than 0.01% by weight. In the first composition as a whole, the content of fluoride ions is
25 preferably less than 0.1%, more preferably less than 0.01%, and most preferably less than 0.001% by weight.
Calcium silicate suitable for use in the present invention may be prepared by the methods described in our co-pending 30 application PCT/EP2007/057556.
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The pH of the first composition is preferably from 7 to 11, more preferably from 8 to 10.5, and most preferably from 9 to 10.
5 A preferred additional component in the first composition is an acidic buffering, such as citric acid. Such agents enable the composition to be formulated at the desired pH and are particularly desirably at higher Ca:Si ratios, for example 1:1 and greater and especially 2:1 and greater.
10
For the avoidance of doubt, the second composition is added to the oral cavity together with the first composition. Whilst the saliva naturally present in the oral cavity provides a source of phosphate ions, this saliva should not
15 be considered a second composition in accordance with the present invention. By adding the second composition together with the first composition, whether simultaneously or sequentially, superior remineralisation and/or whitening results.
20
The source of phosphate ions used in the first composition may be any source capable of delivering phosphate ions when the composition is applied to the teeth. Preferably, the source will be a water-soluble salt. Suitable water soluble
25 salts include tri-sodium phosphate, di-sodium
hydrogenphosphate, and sodium dihydrogenphosphate.
A preferred additional component in the second composition is a source of fluoride ions. The source may be, for 30 example, sodium fluoride, stannous fluoride, or sodium
monofluorophosphate. The level of fluoride ions present in
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the second composition is typically, from 10 mM to 100 mM, preferably from 25 mM to 75 mM, and more preferably from 4 0 mM to 60 mM. The fluoride ions, particularly at the preferred concentrations, can aid the reaction between the 5 insoluble calcium salt and the phosphate ions added from the second composition and present in the saliva.
The means for delivering each of the compositions to the surface of the teeth may be any means that allows both the
10 insoluble calcium salt in the first composition and the
phosphate in the second composition to be delivered to the teeth. The delivery of the compositions may be sequential or simultaneous. In certain embodiments, for example dual phase toothpastes, the compositions are preferably delivered
15 simultaneously.
The means of delivery may involve a dual tube having a first compartment for the first composition and a second, independent compartment for the second composition. Such a 20 dual tube typically has one of the compartments surrounding the other. Typically, the dual tube allows for co-extrusion of the two compositions.
The means of delivery may involve a single tube having the 25 first composition and second composition present as
independent compositions within the same tube. In such embodiments, the compositions or phases are extruded from the tube as one, such extrusion being termed "contact extrusion". In such embodiments, one the compositions may 30 be present as stripes within the other composition. In
preferred embodiments, one of the compositions is present as
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a sheath, surrounding the other composition in the core. In particularly preferred embodiments, the first composition is present as a core composition and the second composition surrounds this as a sheath composition. 5
When the first composition and second composition are present as independent compositions within the same tube, the quantity of water within each of the compositions is preferably less than 35%, more preferably less than 30%, and
10 most preferably less than 25% by weight. In an especially preferred embodiment of this type, the first composition has less than 20% by weight of water and the second composition has less than 25% by weight of water. It has been found that minimising the quantities of water reduces premature
15 interaction of the calcium salt and source of phosphate ions.
The compositions may be applied to the teeth as a dual-phase toothpaste, such application involving mixing of the 20 compositions (phases) and typically involving application using a toothbrush.
One or preferably both of the compositions may be applied to the teeth as a gel composition, the treatment involving
25 mixing of the compositions on application and typically involving the mixed compositions being left on the teeth following application. Following such application, the mixed compositions are typically left on the teeth for from 10 minutes to 10 hours and more typically from 30 minutes to
30 8 hours. The application may be carried daily. The
compositions may be applied from independently compartments
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of a dual compartment tube or from independent phases of a product contained within a single container which is typically a tube.
5 In certain embodiments, in particular those involving a gel composition, the means of delivery may involve a tape, in particular an adhesive tape, onto which one or preferably both of the compositions are applied, prior to the strip being placed in contact with the teeth- Using this means
10 of delivery, the compositions can be held in close contact with tooth surface, facilitating a higU concentration of calcium salt and/or source of phosphate ions close to the tooth surface. Much less of the composition (s) is/are lost into the saliva using this delivery means.
15
Gel compositions involve the use of a gel. In a preferred embodiment, the first composition comprises a gel. The gel typically comprises a polymeric matrix, snd is more typically a hydrogel {vide infra). Excluding any water
20 present, the polymeric matrix is typic&Hy present at from 1 to 25% by weight of the composition(s) of which it is a part.
In the context of this invention, a wg£l" is a colloidal 25 system in which a porous network of interconnected nano-
particles spans the volume of a liquid medium. In general, gels are apparently solid, jelly-like materials. Both by weight and volume, gels are mostly liquid in composition and thus exhibit densities similar to liquids; however, they 30 have the structural coherence of a solid.
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The polymeric matrix material may be a hydrogel which, in the context of this invention, is an insoluble polymeric network containing an absorbed aqueous phase. Typically, the polymeric network is crosslinked. Typically, the 5 content of other liquid components in the composition(s) comprising the hydrogel is not more than 10% by weight. Typically the content of water in the composition(s) comprising a hydrogel is from 80 to 99%.
10 Monomers used to prepare hydrogels may be selected from
vinyl alcohol and acrylate, in particular sodium acrylate. Other monomers comprising an abundance of hydrophilic groups may also be used.
15 Preferred hydrogels comprise a polysaccharide, polyacrylamide, or polyacrylic acid.
Suitable polysaccharides may be storage polysaccharides, such as starch or glycogen, or structural polysaccharides, 20 such as cellulose or chitin.
Suitable polysaccharides may include saccharide units selected from one or more of the following: isomaltose, glucose, fructose, galactose, xylose, mannose, sorbose, 25 arabinose, rhamnose, fucose, maltose, sucrose, lactose,
maltulose, ribose, lyxose, allose, altrose, gulose, idose, talose, trehalose, nigerose, kojibiose, and lactulose.
Preferred hydrogels comprise one or more polysaccharides 30 selected from the group consisting of: tamarind gum, guar
gum, locust bean gum, Tara, Fenugreek, Aloe, Chia, Flaxseed,
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Psyllium seed, quince seed, xanthan, gellan, welan, rhamsan, dextran, cuxdlan, pullulan, scleroglucan, schizophyllan, chitin, hydroxyalkyl cellulose, arabinan, de-branched arabinan, arabinoxylan, galactan, pectic galactan, 5 galactomannan, glucomannan, lichenan, mannan, pachyman, rhamnogalacturonan, acacia gum, agar, alginates, carrageenan, chitosan, clavan, hyaluronic acid, heparin, inulin, cellodextrins, cellulose, and cellulose derivatives.
10 Particularly preferred hydrogels comprise polysaccharides selected from the group consisting of: sodium alginate, hydroxypropyl alginate, gum carrageenan, gum grabic, guar gum, karaya gum, chitosan, pectin, and starch.
15 Other preferred hydrogel forming components are the Carbopol polymer, which are commercially available from Noveon.
One or both of the compositions used in accordance with the invention may also comprise further ingredients which are 20 common in the art, such as:
• antimicrobial agents, e.g. Triclosan, chlorhexidine, copper-, zinc- and stannous salts such as zinc citrate, zinc sulphate, zinc glycinate, sodium zinc
25 citrate and stannous pyrophosphate, sanguinarine
extract, metronidazole, quaternary ammonium compounds, such as cetylpyridinium chloride; bis-guanides, such as chlorhexidine digluconate, hexetidine, octenidine, alexidine; and halogenated bisphenolic compounds, such
30 as 2,2' methylenebis-(4-chloro-6-bromophenol);
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• anti-inflammatory agents such as ibuprofen,
flurbiprofen, aspirin, indomethacin etc.;
• anti-caries agents such as sodium trimeta phosphate
5 and casein
• plaque buffers such as urea, calcium lactate, calcium
glycerophosphate and strontium polyacrylates;
10 • vitamins such as Vitamins A, C and E;
• plant extracts;
• desensitising agents, e.g. potassium citrate,
15 potassium chloride, potassium tartrate, potassium
bicarbonate, potassium oxalate, potassium nitrate and strontium salts;
• anti-calculus agents, e.g. alkali-metal
20 pyrophosphates, hypophosphite-containing polymers, organic phosphonates and phosphocitrates etc.;
• biomolecules, e.g. bacteriocins, antibodies, enzymes,
etc.;
25
flavours, e.g. peppermint and spearmint oils; proteinaceous materials such as collagen;
30
preservatives;
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• opacifying agents;
• colouring agents;
• pH-adjusting agents;
• sweetening agents;
•
pharmaceutical^ acceptable carriers, e.g. starch.
10 sucrose, water or water/alcohol systems etc.;
• surfactants, such as anionic, nonionic, cationic and
zwitterionic or amphoteric surfactants;
15 • particulate abrasive materials such as silicas,
aluminas, calcium carbonates, dicalciumphosphates, calcium pyrophosphates, hydroxyapatites, trimetaphosphates, insoluble hexametaphosphates and so on, including agglomerated particulate abrasive
20 materials, usually in amounts between 3 and 60% by weight of the oral care composition.
• humectants such as glycerol, sorbitol,
propyleneglycol, xylitol, lactitol etc.;
25
binders and thickeners such as sodium carboxymethyl-cellulose, xanthan gum, gum arabic etc. as well as synthetic polymers such as polyacrylates and carboxyvinyl polymers such as Carbopol®;
30
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• polymeric compounds which can enhance the delivery of
active ingredients such as antimicrobial agents can
also be included. Examples of such polymers are
copolymers of polyvinylmethylether with maleic
5 anhydride and other similar delivery enhancing
polymers, e.g. those described in DE-A-3,942,643 (Colgate);
• buffers and salts to buffer the pH and ionic strength
10 of the oral care composition; and
• other optional ingredients that may be included are
e.g. bleaching agents such as peroxy compounds e.g.
potassium peroxydiphosphate, effervescing systems such
15 as sodium bicarbonate/citric acid systems, colour change systems, and so on.
Summary of the Figures
20 Fig. 1 Scanning electronic microscopy (SEM) image of human tooth enamel surface morphology of (a) before treatment and (b) after treatment for two weeks with MCS-gel in phosphate-containing saliva in an 8 hours/day cycling treatment.
25
Fig. 2 SEM image of cross section view of treated tooth. A thin layer in 5 micron thickness has been formed (right bright area) on the original tooth enamel (left area) .
30
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10
Fig. 3 Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX) elemental analysis of Ca and P scanned (left to right) across the dark line indicated on the SEM cross-sectional image of Fig. 2. The ^distances" indicated are distances in microns.
Fig. 4 Raman spectrum of tooth surface before and after MCS-gel treatment in the presence of a phosphate containing composition.
Fig. 5a SEM image of a tooth surface prior to "etching" with phosphoric acid.
Fig. 5b SEM image of a tooth surface after etching with
15 phosphoric acid.
Fig. 6a Raman spectrum of phosphoric acid etched tooth surface.
20 Fig. 6b Raman, spectrum of phosphoric acid etched tooth surface following treatment with MCS-gel composition and phosphate containing composition for one week.
25 The following examples serve to illustrate the'invention without limiting the invention to them. If not otherwise stated the percentages and parts are by weight. Examples according to the invention are designated by numbers and Comparative Examples are designated by letters.
30
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Examples
Step I - Preparation of gel compositions comprising MCS
5 Homogeneous suspensions of fine powder MCS (Ca:Si = 1:2) in distilled water were formed in a range of concentrations from approximately 0.5% to 5%, as indicated in Table 1, using ultra-sonification. Sodium alginate gel particles were then added with vigorous stirring. After about 5 tol5 V 10 minutes, uniform white gel suspensions resulted. The pH of the gel suspensions were measured and are also indicated in Table 1.
Table 1: "First" Compositions
1 2 3 4
MSC powder
(g) 0.5 1.5 3 5
Water (g) 100 100 100 100
Sodium alginate (g) 5 5 5 5
PH 9.32 9.72 9.76 10.03
Further compositions were prepared as described above with the sodium alginate present at lg, 1.5g, and 3g. The viscosity of the resulting composition was found to be a 20 function of the alginate level, being higher at the higher alginate levels.
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Step II - Application of the gel compositions comprising MCS
Extracted human teeth were cleaned using 75% alcohol and 5 brushed using toothpaste to remove surface bacteria and debris. The composition designated 4 in Table 1 was uniformly painted onto the teeth at a level of 1.0 g per six teeth. The teeth were then immersed in human saliva- at 37°C. After eight hours, the gel was washed off with tap 10 water and the teeth re-immersed again in the saliva at 37°C for the rest of day. This treatment was continued for two weeks.
The human saliva used was collected from many subjects. Its 15 calcium concentration varied from 23 to 60 ppm and its
phosphorus concentration (present as phosphate ions) varied from 124 to 154 ppm.■
The surface morphology of the teeth was investigated using 20 .SEM before and after treatment. Figure 1(a) represents the appearance before treatment and Figure 1(b) represents the appearance after treatment. It can be seen that before treatment the surface is smooth and after treatment certain new crystalline structures have grown out from the original 25 smooth surface. At a magnification of 10,000, tiny
crystalline structures can be clearly seen, measuring about 100 nm.
To quantify the amount of newly formed hydroxyapatite, the 30 before and after treatment tooth samples were sectioned and polished before being examined by SEM. The result is shown
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in Figure 2. it can be clearly seen that a thin coating layer has been formed on the top of original enamel. The thickness of the layer varies from 2 to 10 microns, but seems to have a positive relation with the tooth surface 5 roughness. Thus, it would appear that the treatment targets those teeth in most need of repair.
The chemical nature of the new crystalline material produced by the treatment was investigated by EDX elemental analysis
10 (see Figure 3) and Raman spectroscopy (see Figure 4).
Figure 3 shows that the content of calcium and phosphorus in the newly formed hydroxyapatite is very similar to that in the original tooth enamel underneath. Figure 4 indicates that the chemical nature of the phosphate present in newly
15 formed hydroxyapatite is essentially the same as that of the untreated teethr strongly suggesting that only "natural" hydroxyapatite; has been added to the teeth.
Hardness testing using nano-indentation
20
In this experiment, the mechanical properties of the regenerated enamel layer were investigated. Mechanical robustness is of crucial importance to the long term stability of the enamel and is essential for maintenance of
25 teeth during biting and eating food. It is desired that the enamel has a high level of mechanical hardness.
Using the sam§ procedures as described in "Step II" (vide supra), human tooth samples were first cleaned and then 30 treated with Composition 5 and phosphate-containing saliva on a daily basis for two weeks. On this occasion, however,
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an additional step was introduced: following the eight hour immersion of painted teeth in saliva, the teeth were brushed for one minute with a chalk-containing toothpaste. They were then re-immersed in saliva as in the "Step II" 5 procedure described above.
State of the art nano-indentation instrumentation was used to measure the hardness of the thin film of newly deposited film of hydroxyapatite on the surface of the teeth. Three
10 treated tooth samples were measured and on each sample, nine indentations were made. As shown in Table 3, the hardness of the remineralised layer is in the range of 5.4 and 5.7 GPa. This is very close to the hardness of the original enamel surface, also shown in Table 3. Another important
15 mechanical parameter is Young's modulus, a basic value for a material's elasticity. The higher the value, the stiffer the material is. It is desirable that the remineralisation layer is similar to the natural enamel. From the results indicated in Table 3, it is clear that the remineralised
20 film has similar mechanical properties that that of the original enamel.
Table 3: mechanical properties of teeth before and after treatment
Hardness (GPa) Young's modulus (GPa)
Before treatment
Literature
values) 5.0-6.0 95-120
After forming new enamel layer 5.4 -5.7 111-121
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Regeneration of damaged teeth
To mimic the demineralization of teeth by many types of acidic fruit juice, human teeth were etched using 37 wt% 5 phosphoric acid for one minute. Images of the original teeth and the phosphoric acid etched teeth were taken by SEM. Fig. 5a represents a tooth surface before etching and Fig. 5b represents a tooth surface after etching. By treatment with Composition 5 (described below) and phosphate 10 containing saliva in the manner described above, it was
found possible to cure the etching caused by the phosphoric acid within one week.
Composition 5: MCS powder {0.5 g) added to water (10 g} and 15 dispersed as described above, then sodium alginate (0.3 g) added with vigorous stirring. A uniform gel was formed after about ten minutes stirring.
The treated samples were found to have grown a significant 20 thickness of a new layer. The newly formed layer was
characterized by Raman spectroscopy. Fig. 6a is the Raman spectrum of a tooth surface before treatment and Figure 6b is the Raman spectrum of a tooth surface after treatment. Table 2 indicates the position of the major peaks before and 25 after treatment. There is a peak at 961.42 cm-1 which corresponds to the major phosphate band. The after treatment sample gave an essentially identical Raman spectrum to the before treatment sample, including the location of the phosphate band at 961.42 cm-1. This implies 30 that the added material is identical to that originally present and is a somewhat surprising result.
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Table 2: Raman peaks positions of human tooth enamel before and after treatment
Band Position before treatment Position after treatment
Vi P