Cocoa Based Dental Varnish as a Delivery System for Early Carious Lesion Management

Recently, the polyphenols and theobromine present in cocoa beans have shown to exhibit anti-cariogenic and remineralization effect. The studies have been demonstrated that cocoa polyphenols inhibit the enzyme dextransucrase, cellular growth and acid production by cariogenic microorganisms which are responsible for caries formation. The reports suggest that theobromine readily available in cocoa displays enhanced surface recrystallization, increased resistance to acid dissolution by enamel crystals and increased surface enamel microhardness in comparison to commercially available fluoride agent. However, literature search on isolated components of cocoa bean in a drug delivery system is not been reported. Hence the isolated compounds of cocoa beans such as theobromine, catechin, and epicatechin were coupled with benzoin powder and agarose in the dental varnish formulation. The novelty of this new dental varnish lies in its ability to possess sustained drug release potential which is suitable for oral conditions, and it can eliminate the adverse effect of dental fluorosis associated with commercially available fluoride varnish since it is composed of natural compounds. This novel varnish possesses both antibacterial and remineralizing effect with increased patient compliance.