Dentin hypersensitivity is a painful condition affecting from 15%-60% 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 $1.4 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 (300-600 nm0 in length and 50-60 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 5 in1 product, TruEnamel, is unique and offers to consumers and dentists a therapeutic cosmetic with a market of approximately $2 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 95% suffer from dental decay. One treatment option for all these conditions would be an ideal product. This 5 in 1 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.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Dental & Craniofacial Research (NIDCR)
Type
Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Grants - Phase I (R41)
Project #
1R41DE024011-01A1
Application #
8903027
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1-MOSS-K (11))
Program Officer
Drummond, James
Project Start
2015-04-01
Project End
2016-03-31
Budget Start
2015-04-01
Budget End
2016-03-31
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
2015
Total Cost
$188,406
Indirect Cost
Name
Truenamel, LLC
Department
Type
DUNS #
079323561
City
Ann Arbor
State
MI
Country
United States
Zip Code
48103