Trends Analysis of dental technology patent applications

Abstract

          The Intellectual property is created by research and development. The dental inventions in dentistry are development ultimately leading to submit the protection of intellectual property. Currently, knowledge and technology have been developed. Benefit of analysis trend in patents is important for production plan and product development. Objective: (1) To study the trend of dental technology patents changes in worldwide and (2) dental technology International Patents Classification (IPCs) from Thomson  Innovation database. Method:  This study focused data from 2011-2014 searched on titles and  abstracts using keywords (dental and dentistry) from Thomson Innovation database. IPCs and analyzed using descriptive statistics. Result:  Total numbers of the dental technology patents were 54,865 records from 2011 , 2012 , 2013 and 2014  United States had the most patents (20.06%, 19.41%, 19.37%, 20.89%) , China (11.24%, 13.89%, 16.73%, 16.97%) and Japan (12.25%, 11.64%, 12.40%, 11.68%) respectively. The analysis IPCs classification system. The code IPCs (A61C) : Dentistry; apparatus or methods for oral or dental  hygiene has the greatest number of patent. The next two code are IPCs(A61K) : preparations for medical, dental, or toilet purposes and IPCs(A61P) : specific therapeutic activity of chemical compounds or medicinal preparations respectively. Conclusion:  Research and development of dental technology patents continues to rise in countries. The information gathered in this study can help researchers and inventors to support and improve dental technology  patents related to the field of dental.