UCLA Researchers in the department of Dentistry have developed a toothpaste formulation for the preventative treatment of dental white spots that otherwise left untreated can lead to cavity formation.
BACKGROUND:
White spots are a visual indicator of the process of demineralization (early caries) underneath intact dental enamel. Bacteria in the mouth, produce acids that alter pH levels, that can normally be counteracted by natural oral protective factors. However, when these oral protective factors are overcome, there occurs a net loss of minerals leading to the formation of visual white spots. If these spots are left untreated, dental decay may occur, which requires extensive restorative treatments. These treatments include remineralization of the white spot with fluoride or use of therapeutic sealants. However, these approaches are not always successful as it requires patients to adhere to strict compliance, while also changing harmful habits. As a consequence, treatment is often discontinued by patients. Recent approaches to the treatment of white spots has shifted from restorative treatments to preventative measures: offering patients an easier form of therapy to adopt. Unfortunately, there exists few forms of these treatments currently, with varying degrees of efficacy. Therefore, there currently exists a need for dental white spot therapy that is efficacious and easily adopted by patients.
INNOVATION:
Researchers have developed a novel toothpaste formulation that, when administered twice a day, reverses the effects of white spot-associated demineralization after only two weeks of use. The invention makes use of a topically applied paste for easy self-administration: ensuring easy adoption by patients that are in the habit of brushing their teeth. The toothpaste formula is produced through standard laboratory techniques, which offers feasibility for mass production. The proposed invention presents a non-invasive method for treating dental white spots: that would otherwise require expensive and time-intensive removal or filling procedures if left untreated. The invention provides the first mass producible and non-invasive method to the treatment of dental white spots.
POTENTIAL APPLICATIONS:
• Fast and cost-effective treatment of dental white spots
• Reversing tooth demineralization
• Preventing caries/cavities
ADVANTAGES:
• Simple, and easy application procedure
• Avoids removal of tooth material for treatment of demineralization
• Rapid results
DEVELOPMENT-TO-DATE:
Researchers have demonstrated restorative effect on dentin and enamel slices etched to mimic regions of white spots. After 2 weeks of twice-daily brushing, SEM and Raman Spectroscopy indicate correction of demineralization.