Amelogenin-chitosan hydrogel for dentin hypersensitivity

Abstract

A method to regrow a protective layer over exposed/demineralized dentin that includes a step of identifying a subject having exposed/demineralized dentin. The demineralized dentin is contacted with a remineralization composition that includes an amelogenin and derived peptides, a chitosan, water, and a sufficient amount of a pH adjusting component such that the composition has a pH greater than about 6.0 such that dentinal tubules are occluded with apatite crystals and enamel is regrown on the dentinal tubules.

1 . A method comprising:
 a) identifying a subject having exposed or demineralized dentin; and   b) contacting the exposed or demineralized dentin with a remineralization composition including:
 an amelogenin; 
 a chitosan; 
 water; and 
 a sufficient amount of a pH adjusting component such that the remineralization composition has a pH greater than about 6.0 such that enamel is regrown on the exposed or demineralized dentin. 
   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the subject exhibits exposed dentinal tubules. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising allowing the remineralization composition to dry. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the remineralization composition further includes:
 a calcium-containing compound that provides calcium ions when dissolved in water; and 
 a phosphate containing compound that provides phosphate ions when dissolved in water. 
 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising contacting the exposed or demineralized dentin with a base for a first period of time. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5  further comprising contacting the demineralized dentin with a component selected from the group consisting of calcium-containing compound, a phosphate containing compound, and combinations thereof for a second period of time. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 5  further comprising contacting the demineralized dentin with saliva or a solution including water and a component selected from the group consisting of electrolytes, mucus, glycoproteins, enzymes, antibacterial compounds, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the amelogenin includes a polypeptide having an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 1, SEQ ID NO: 2, SEQ ID NO: 3, SEQ ID NO: 4, SEQ ID NO: 5, SEQ ID NO: 6, SEQ ID NO: 7, and SEQ ID NO: 8. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the amelogenin includes a polypeptide having an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 1, SEQ ID NO: 2, SEQ ID NO: 3, SEQ ID NO: 4, SEQ ID NO: 5, SEQ ID NO: 6, SEQ ID NO: 7, SEQ ID NO: 8, and SEQ ID NO: 9 with up to 10 conservative amino acid substitutions. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the amelogenin includes a polypeptide having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 10 or SEQ ID NO: 11, with up to 10 conservative amino acid substitutions. 
     
     
         11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . A polynucleotide encoding the polypeptide of  claim 11 . 
     
     
         13 - 21 . (canceled) 
     
     
         22 . A method comprising:
 a) identifying a subject having a dental lesion; and   b) contacting the dental lesion with a remineralization composition including:
 a polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 10 or SEQ ID NO: 11, with up to 10 conservative amino acid substitutions; 
 an optional chitosan; 
 water; 
 a sufficient amount of a pH adjusting component such that the remineralization composition has a pH greater than about 6.0; and 
   b) allowing the remineralization composition to air dry.   
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22  further comprising:
 a calcium-containing compound that provides calcium ion when dissolved in water; and 
 a phosphate containing compound that provides phosphate ions when dissolved in water. 
 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 22  further comprising contacting the dental lesion with a base for a first period of time. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 24  further comprising contacting the dental lesion with a component selected from the group consisting of calcium-containing compound, a phosphate containing compound, and combinations thereof for a second period of time. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 25  further comprising contacting the dental lesion with saliva or a solution including water and a component selected from the group consisting of electrolytes, mucus, glycoproteins, enzymes, antibacterial compounds, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 22  wherein the dental lesion is selected from the group consisting of dental caries, early dental carious and erosive lesions, and enamel defects.