TruEnamel, LLC — Department of Health and Human Services STTR Phase I: NIDCR

Description

DESCRIPTION provided by applicant Dentin hypersensitivity is a painful condition affecting from of the population It is caused by the movement of fluid in the dentinal tubules and can be eliminated by occluding these patent tubules Tooth whitening is a $ billion business in America and is predicted to grow both here and abroad In this grant we propose a treatment for dentin hypersensitivity coupled with a tooth whitening agent A nano nm in length and nm in cross section fluor hydroxyapatite crystals similar to enamel crystals in shape and composition and is incorporated into a self etch resin which will bond to both enamel and dentin and can be tinted to be white or tooth colored a paint on enamel This novel agent depending on the curing mechanism will be sold over the counter or used as an in office treatment We propose in this grant to measure the bond strength to enamel and dentin determine the penetration and coverage of tooth surfaces substantivity and effect on the hydraulic conductance of dentin by this desensitizing tooth whitening agent Three other features of this agent is its ability to release calcium fluoride and phosphate at low pH which may help in preventing and repairing demineralized enamel and dentin caused by caries It may also be used to treat and or prevent erosion of enamel and dentin It will stimulate dental pulp stem cells to mineralize therefore forming a pulpal protective barrier in deep cavities This in product TruEnamel is unique and offers to consumers and dentists a therapeutic cosmetic with a market of approximately $ billion PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE A proportion of the general public suffer from sensitive teeth others from dental erosion as well as a large proportion would like to have white teeth and suffer from dental decay One treatment option for all these conditions would be an ideal product This in product TruEnamel using synthetic enamel crystals and a resin that sticks to teeth offers a treatment for all of the above as an over the counter product or in dental office treatment