Mara Assef Leitão Lotif

Objectives: The aim of this study was to perform a technological prospecting about the current scenario regarding patent applications involving the Cariology area in five South American countries. Methods: This review offers general and oriented insights about patents in the Cariology area, considering active reports from 2000 through 2025. We conducted a technological prospecting on intellectual property banks of Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay and Uruguay using the keywords ‘caries’, ‘dental caries’, ‘dentistry’, ‘dental’, ‘oral’ and ‘buccal’. Results: From a total of 1740 patents, companies and industries had 63.56% applications, 50.4% were claimed for compositions and 37.01% for personal products. Brazil was the most expressive with 88.39% followed by Argentina with 8.16% patent deposits. The United States was the main country of origin of patents with 41.72%. Most of the patents are A61K code (61.09%) for medical, dental or hygienic purposes. Conclusions: This study demonstrates the interest in patenting compositions and products for personal use, mainly by Brazilian and American industries/companies. Based on the largest number of deposits founded, The United States demonstrates its strong influence on the international market. However, according to the patent application scenario observed, there is a need for innovation on new materials of prevention and treatment, also in detection and diagnosis techniques, as well as the protection of intellectual property developed and focused on the area of Cariology.

Purpose: This study aims to verify the stability of different types of fluoride in a dentifrice containing Brazilian red propolis (BRP). Methods: The dentifrice formulation was developed with calcium carbonate (CaCO ₃ ) and sodium monofluorophosphate (MFP) (patent INPI BR1020170110974). Nominal fluoride content was 1500 μg/g. Batches of five lots were selected and analyzed for 2 consecutive years (fresh, with 12 and 24 months). Dentifrices from each tube were analyzed in duplicate using an ion‐specific electrode (ISE). The concentrations of fluoride (total fluoride [TF], total soluble fluoride [TSF], and ionizable fluoride [IF]) were determined, and the results were expressed in ppm F (μgF/g). Results: After 12 months of aging, the samples showed TF concentration ranging from 1198.9 ± 26.9 to 1443.6 ± 33.4 ppm F, TSF ranging from 869.6 ± 105.5 to 965.8 ± 149.8 ppm F, and IF ranging from 223.5 ± 14.8 to 269.7 ± 10.1 ppm F. After 24 months of aging, the samples showed TF concentration ranging from 763.5 ± 73.2 to 1083.1 ± 32.4 ppm F, TSF ranging from 552.3 ± 39.9 to 758.4 ± 141.1 ppm F, and IF ranging from 102.2 ± 4.0 to 174.7 ± 4.9 ppm F. Conclusion: Soluble fluoride remained relatively stable until 12 months of aging; however, at 24 months of aging, the concentration reduced.

Objectives The aim of this study is to determine the total, soluble and ionic fluoride (IF) concentration in toothpastes for children since there is a lack of information about this data. Methods Fifteen different brands of toothpastes were purchased in different cities in Brazil. The total fluoride (TF), total soluble fluoride (TSF) and IF of two samples of each brand were determined (mu g/g F). Results The concentration of TF found in the fluoride toothpastes ranged from 324.4 to 1466.2 mu g/g F, TSF ranged from 214.6 to 1424.1 mu g/g F and IF ranged from 108.3 to 1320.1 mu g/g F. TSF ranged between TF and IF. Most toothpastes were formulated with sodium fluoride (NaF), and only one with monofluorophosphate (MFP). The concentrations of TF were below the reported values. TSF and IF were below the TF concentration. Conclusions The measured TF was less than that declared by the manufacturer in all the products. Most of the evaluated fluoride toothpastes commercialized in Brazil showed concentrations of TF below what was stated on the packaging, but with enough TSF to provide an anti-caries effect.

To evaluate the fluoride concentration and pH of tea derived from Camellia sinensis produced and commercialized in Argentina. Forty-eight varieties of tea (black (n = 16), green (n = 21), red (n = 7), and white (n = 4)) commercialized in the form of leaves or tea bags were acquired. One bag or 2.0 ± 0.05 g of each product was infused for 5 min in 200 mL of distilled boiled water. The F⁻ concentration was determined using an ion-selective electrode and pH was measured using a pH meter. The found fluoride concentrations ranged from 0.1 to 9.7 µg/mL and the pH ranged from 2.7 to 5.1. A higher fluoride concentration was observed in the leaves group (2.75 ± 2.65 µg/mL) compared to tea bags (1.10 ± 0.82 µg/mL) (p < 0.05). Regarding the type of tea, green and black tea were richer in F⁻ than red and white tea. Fluoride and pH appeared not to be correlated (Pearson test). All the studied tea samples presented fluoride concentrations greater than the threshold recommended for drinking water. The pH proved to be low, which could be a risk for erosive tooth wear.

Introduction. Considering oral rehabilitation with dental implants, many studies have aimed at improving bone regeneration through the use of biomaterials. Objective. This study aimed at comparing bone neoformation in patients undergoing bilateral maxillary sinus surgery with two bovine biomaterials. Materials and Methods. This is a randomized, blinded, clinical crossover, and divided mouth study. Ten participants with an indication of maxillary sinus enlargement were selected and underwent surgical treatment with Bio-Oss® graft biomaterial (graft 1) on one side and Lumina-Porous® graft biomaterial (graft 2) on the other. The samples were collected after nine months and fixed and then decalcified in 10% ethylenediamine tetra-acetic acid (EDTA) solution for 30 days to process and make histological slides. Connective and bone tissue were further analyzed to identify the amount of newly formed bone. Results. The graft 1 group had a greater formation of vital mineralized tissue when compared to the graft 2 group ( p = 0.01). For nonvital mineralized tissue and amount of connective tissue, there was no statistical difference ( p = 0.21 and p = 0.09, respectively). The medullary spaces were larger in the graft 2 group. The group treated with graft 1 presented a higher percentage of osteoclasts and viable osteocytes compared to the graft 2 group ( p = 0.014 and p = 0.027, respectively). Conclusion. Every day, new alternative biomaterials are offered as an option in oral rehabilitation. In this study, both treatments induced bone neoformation after 9 months; however, the group treated with Bio-Oss® showed a higher percentage of vital mineralized bone tissue.

Introduction. Fluoride plays an important role in the control of dental caries, and currently new dentifrices are being associated with natural products. Objective. This study aimed to evaluate the availability of fluoride in saliva samples after using a dentifrice incorporated with Brazilian red propolis (BRP, INPI Patent no. BR1020170110974) and to compare it to a conventional fluoridated dentifrice in healthy participants. Methods. This study was conducted implementing a double-blind, randomized, controlled, and crossover design. Saliva samples of participants were collected at the following time points: 0 at baseline and 5, 15, 30, 45, and 60 minutes after brushing with each dentifrice. Salivary fluoride concentrations showed no statistically significant difference when comparing the two treatments ( ). All available fluoride concentrations in saliva decreased after one hour, with no significant difference between BRP and conventional fluoridated dentifrice treatment samples ( ). Results. The results showed that there was no difference between the analyzed fluoride concentrations 1 hour after brushing with the different dentifrices. Conclusions. The results of this study suggest that the propolis incorporated in the dentifrice did not interfere with the kinetics and bioavailability of the fluoride ion in saliva samples, enabling its integration with the pharmaceutical formula and thereby promoting its anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial benefits without compromising the anticaries activity of the formulation.

Purpose. This study aimed to evaluate reports of patents for oral care formulations, based on Camellia sinensis (C. sinensis), deposited and granted in intellectual property banks. Methods. A survey was conducted through collection, treatment, and analysis of extracted information from patent reports selected. The documentary research was conducted in January 2021 on formulations with C. sinensis for dental applications, including since the first patent deposits until the current time. The risk of bias of clinical trials with these formulations was analyzed to verify the scientific evidence. The data extracted represent the distribution of the number of patents by banks, annual evolution of patent deposits, applicant of patents by country, distribution of patents according to International Patent Classification codes, and the types of patented products. Results. Data and information from 20 selected patents were extracted. The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) and World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) were the banks with the largest number of patents for products/formulations with C. sinensis for oral care applications with 7 (35) and 6 (30) patent registrations, respectively. Other banks did not provide patents related to the search. Patents of compositions were the largest with 14 filings, and the remainder of formulations are represented specially by mouthwashes and toothpastes. As for clinical application, 18 patents were filed as products with antimicrobial and antibiofilm action, while 2 patents are directed to the treatment of xerostomia. In general, the aspects of the studies of clinical efficacy pointed to a low risk of bias. Conclusion. The study pointed out a small number of products protected by patents for Camellia sinensis for oral care indication, highlighting mainly mouthwash compositions and formulations. In the methodological parameters of clinical trials carried out with the formulations, the majority pointed out a low risk of bias.

Dental caries is a sugar-dependent condition common in childhood, which causes microbiological imbalance in dental biofilm. The present study evaluated the antimicrobial efficacy of a 2.5% Brazilian Red Propolis (BRP) dental varnish to prevent caries in children. Seventy-five children with high caries risk, aged between 36 and 71 months and with no caries, were assigned to three groups to receive varnish treatment containing 2.5% BRP, 1% chlorhexidine, or 5% fluoride. The varnish was applied to the occlusal surfaces of the deciduous second molars on the first day of treatment (D1), after 90 days (D90), and 180 days of the start of treatment (D180). Saliva was collected to assess S. mutans before each varnish application and 180 days at the end of treatment (D360). Values were expressed in log10 (CFU/mL). Statistics were performed by applying repeated measures of variance analysis, Tukey's multiple comparisons test, and paired t-test. In the first dilution (1 : 10), there was microbial load reduction at the following periods: BRP in D0-D90 ( ) and D0-D180 ( ); fluoride in D0-D90 ( ); and chlorhexidine in D0-D180 ( ). In the second dilution (1 : 100), there was microbial load reduction in the groups at the following periods: BRP in D0-D90 ( ) and D0-D180 ( ); fluoride in D0-D180 ( ), and chlorhexidine in D0-180 ( ) and D0-360 ( ). The 2.5% BRP dental varnish was effective in decreasing S. mutans colonies in saliva when used within 90 days.

Background. The objective of this study was to evaluate the clinical and microbiological efficacies of (C. langsdorffii) dental varnish in children at high risk of dental caries.. Methods. This is a longitudinal, randomized, controlled clinical trial. Ninety high-risk caries-free children (ICDAS II = 0) were recruited and randomly divided into three groups: C. langsdorffii, chlorhexidine, or fluoride. The varnishes were applied on the second deciduous molars for three times: baseline (D0), after 90 days (D90), and after 180 days (D180). Saliva was collected on D0, D90, D180, and D360 to evaluate S. mutans reduction. Statistics were carried out by ANOVA, Tukey’s test, and the paired t-test. Results. Copaiba varnish demonstrated significant S. mutans reduction: D360 versus D0 , D180 versus D0 , D360 versus D90 , D180 versus D90 , and D360 versus D180 . Chlorhexidine varnish significantly reduced S. mutans at D180 versus D0 . Fluoride reduced at D180 versus D0 . Conclusions. Three annual applications of this varnish showed substantial antimicrobial activity against S. mutans and caries prevention for up to 12 months.