Treatment device and method for treating or preventing periodontal disease through application of heat
First Claim
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1. A device for treating or preventing periodontal disease comprising:
- one or more thermally conductive surfaces designed to be placed in contact with the teeth and gums;
a temperature sensor adjacent to the thermally conductive surface;
a heating element operable to heat the thermally conductive surface; and
a controller electrically connected to the heating element and the temperature sensor, wherein the controller is operable to control the heating element in response to a signal from the temperature sensor and regulate the temperature of the thermally conductive surface to a treatment temperature.
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Abstract
A regulated heat source is described that can be applied to the teeth and gums in order to accelerate the death of the bacterial or viral systems known to contribute to periodontal disease.
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Citations
25 Claims
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1. A device for treating or preventing periodontal disease comprising:
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one or more thermally conductive surfaces designed to be placed in contact with the teeth and gums;
a temperature sensor adjacent to the thermally conductive surface;
a heating element operable to heat the thermally conductive surface; and
a controller electrically connected to the heating element and the temperature sensor, wherein the controller is operable to control the heating element in response to a signal from the temperature sensor and regulate the temperature of the thermally conductive surface to a treatment temperature. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A method of treating or preventing periodontal disease comprising:
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placing a mouthpiece, with a temperature sensor adjacent to heating surfaces, in contact with a patient'"'"'s gumline;
heating the teeth and gums to a treatment temperature capable of combating the bacteria or viruses known to contribute to periodontal disease; and
maintaining the treatment temperature according to preferred set temperature and treatment time stored in a control unit that is connected to the mouthpiece and uses the data from the sensor to regulate the heating surfaces. - View Dependent Claims (21)
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22. A device for treating periodontal disease in a patient'"'"'s teeth and gums, the device comprising:
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a mouthpiece having at least one tray shaped to fit over the patient'"'"'s teeth and gums, the mouthpiece including one or more heating surfaces adjacent to the patient'"'"'s gumline; and
a control unit electrically connected to the mouthpiece, the control unit operable to control the one or more heating surfaces in the mouthpiece to maintain the one or more heating surfaces at a preset treatment temperature. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25)
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Specification