The Mesoporous Ceramics Research Group, working at the Ceramics Research Institute of the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), has succeeded in developing a new tooth-bleaching agent, the first of its kind, using a titanium dioxide photocatalyst. Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Co., Inc. has signed a license contract for the patent with AIST.

The bleaching agent, consisting mainly of titanium dioxide photocatalyst and low concentration (3.5%) hydrogen peroxide, was applied to the surface of the tooth, which was then irradiated for several minutes with violet light of 400 nm. The treatment results in appreciable whitening of teeth discolored by aging or exogenous damage, as well as teeth slightly stained by tetracycline use. Generally, titanium dioxide only react to ultraviolet light under 380 nm, but AIST has succeeded in the development of a bleaching agent that reacts to visible light in the vicinity of 400 nm.

Compared to traditional whitening agents with a high concentration (35%) of hydrogen peroxide used for in-office bleaching, this is a safe product that does not require strict protection of the gums, and it is expected to reduce considerably damage to enamel and the risk of hyperesthesia, reducing greatly the burden on the patient as well as on the oral health professional.

The product MGC-01, consisting mainly of titanium dioxide photocatalyst and low concentration hydrogen peroxide (3.5%; the lowest concentration commercially available or under investigation) was applied to a tooth surface which was then irradiated for a few minutes with a 400 nm violet light, resulting in appreciable whitening of teeth discolored by aging or exogenous damage, as well as teeth slightly stained by tetracycline use.

The bleaching agent (code: MGC-01), developed jointly by the Ceramics Research Institute of AIST and Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Co., Inc., is an extremely safe product with superb bleaching properties, recommended for use as an in-office tooth whitening agent. Titanium dioxide is a safe compound widely used in cosmetics and in toothpaste, but it is well known that it produces active oxygen under light of a specific wavelength and shows photocatalyst characteristics being able to decompose diverse organic chemical compounds.

The commonly used titanium dioxide only reacts to ultraviolet light of wavelength 380 nm or less, but the whitening agent developed at AIST reacts to visible light in the vicinity of 400 nm. An irradiation apparatus specifically designed for this product has also been developed successfully.

Compared to traditional whitening agents used for in-office bleaching with a high concentration (35%) of hydrogen peroxide, this is a safe product that does not require strict protection of the gums, and it is expected to reduce considerably damage to enamel and the risk of hyperesthesia, reducing greatly the burden on the patient as well as on the oral health professional. Tests carried out on extracted teeth and on models prove that this product is much more effective than traditional products for tooth bleaching.

After safety tests on animals indicated that no negative effects derived from the use of this bleaching agent, the research is advancing into the next step of clinical tests to further confirm the effectiveness and safety of this product. Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Co., Inc. has already installed the GMP-applied equipment required for mass production at its plant in Yokkaichi, and plans to start selling the product after an approval for manufacturing (medical devices) by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare of Japan. Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Co., Inc. has also signed with AIST, owner of the pertaining patents, a contract for acquiring the license of the patents.

It is said that in the United States of America, a country at the vanguard of tooth whitening, this treatment is offered at 90% of dental clinics. In Japan, interest in white and beautiful teeth has also been increasing in the last few years. This safe and effective tooth-bleaching product will contribute to increasing this awareness.