US4080440A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method for remineralizing tooth enamel
Assignee: Procter and Gamble Co
•
Filing: 1976-03-25
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Granted: 1978-03-21
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Expires: 1996-03-25
Abstract
Abstract Demineralized tooth enamel is remineralized by first forming a metastable mixture by mixing a solution containing a soluble calcium salt with a solution containing a soluble phosphate salt, the mixture having a pH of from about 2.5 to about 4 and a ratio of calcium ions to phosphate ions of from 0.01 to 100; and second, applying the metastable mixture to the tooth surface. Preferably, the second solution contains a soluble fluoride salt and the metastable mixture has a pH of about 2.7.
Inventors
- 👤 David N. DiGiulio
- 👤 Robert J. Grabenstetter
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 18:48
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61Q; A61Q11/00; A61K; A61K8/00; A61K8/18; A61K8/19; A61K8/24; A61K2800/00; A61K2800/80; A61K2800/88
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
87 words
A method for remineralizing demineralized tooth enamel, said method comprising the steps of (a) forming a metastable aqueous solution comprising calcium ions and phosphate ions in a molar ratio ranging from about 0.01 to about 100 and having a pH of from about 2.5 to about 4 by admixing (i) a solution containing calcium ions in an amount ranging from about 0.005% to about 5%, and containing calcium ions in an amount such and having a pH such as to obtain said metastable solution on admixture, and
Claim 2
Independent Claim
87 words
A method for remineralizing demineralized tooth enamel, said method comprising the steps of (a) forming a metastable aqueous solution comprising calcium ions and phosphate ions in a molar ratio ranging from about 0.01 to about 100 and having a pH of from about 2.5 to about 4 by admixing (i) a solution containing calcium ions in an amount ranging from about 0.005% to about 5%, and containing calcium ions in an amount such and having a pH such as to obtain said metastable solution on admixture, and
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
107 words
(ii) a solution containing phosphate ions in an amount ranging from 0.005% to about 5%, and containing phosphate ions in an amount such and having a pH such as to obtain said metastable solution on admixture, and (b) within 5 minutes after its formation and within the period of its temporary stability, applying said formed metastable aqueous solution to the tooth surface in the oral cavity in such an amount and for a time period ranging from about 10 seconds to about 3 minutes so that the pH of the solution rises to foster precipitation within the tooth to thereby effect remineralization at the demineralized tooth subsurface.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
107 words
(ii) a solution containing phosphate ions in an amount ranging from 0.005% to about 5%, and containing phosphate ions in an amount such and having a pH such as to obtain said metastable solution on admixture, and (b) within 5 minutes after its formation and within the period of its temporary stability, applying said formed metastable aqueous solution to the tooth surface in the oral cavity in such an amount and for a time period ranging from about 10 seconds to about 3 minutes so that the pH of the solution rises to foster precipitation within the tooth to thereby effect remineralization at the demineralized tooth subsurface.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1 in which said metastable solution has a pH on the order of from about 2.7 to about 3.3.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method of claim 2 in which said metastable solution is formed by admixing a solution containing from about 0.005% to about 5% calcium ions and from about 0.005% to about 5% indium ions with a solution containing from about 0.005% to about 5% phosphate ions.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method of claim 2 in which said metastable solution is formed by admixing a solution containing from about 0.005% to about 5% calcium ions with a solution containing from about 0.005% to about 5% phosphate ions and from about 0.005% to about 5% fluoride ions.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
55 words
The method of claim 2, in which said metastable solution is formed by admixing a solution containing from about 0.005% to about 5% calcium ions and from about 0.005% to about 5% indium ions with a solution containing from about 0.005% to about 5% phsophate ions and from about 0.005% to about 5% fluoride ions.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 2 in which, in step (b), said metastable solution is applied within 1 minute after it is formed.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 1 in which the metastable aqueous solution comprises calcium ions and phosphate ions in a molar ratio ranging from about 0.2 to about 5.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 7 in which the metastable aqueous solution comprises calcium ions and phosphate ions in a molar ratio of about 1.67.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method of claim 1 in which the amount of metastable aqueous solution placed in the mouth contains calcium ions and phosphate ions to provide at least 0.001 gram of calcium phosphate calculated as Ca 3 (PO 4 ) 2 .
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method of claim 9 in which the amount of metastable aqueous solution placed in the mouth contains calcium ions and phosphate ions to provide more than 0.1 gram of calcium phosphate calculated as Ca 3 (PO 4 ) 2 .
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1 in which the metastable aqueous solution is in the form of a mouthwash.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1 in which the metastable aqueous solution is in the form of a toothpaste.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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FR1434455A
Cited
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1981-03-20 | 1981-09-19 | 1982-03-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-03-20 | 1985-09-19 | 1986-03-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-03-20 | 1989-09-19 | 1990-03-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |