Process of tooth whitening and apparatus therefor

• US 8,602,774 B2
• Filed: 06/18/2004
• Issued: 12/10/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 12/04/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bryan Wasylucha
• Original Assignee: Bryan Wasylucha
• Inventors: Wasylucha, Bryan
• Primary Examiner(s): EIDE, HEIDI MARIE
• Application Number:
  US10/872,256
• Publication Number:
  US 20050026103A1
• Time in Patent Office: 3,462 Days
• Field of Search: 433/29, 433/25, 433/215, 433/216, 433/80, 433/89, 401/143, 401/171, 401/172
• US Class Current: 433/89
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 11/0027 Lead-screw mechanisms
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 2200/1066 Toothbrush for cleaning the teeth or dentures A61C17/16 takes precedence; bristles arrangements for toothbrushes A46B9/04
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 19/003 Apparatus for curing resins by radiation
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 19/02 Protective casings, e.g. boxes for instruments; Bags A61C5/44 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 19/063 Medicament applicators for teeth or gums, e.g. treatment with fluorides
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 19/066 Bleaching devices; Whitening agent applicators for teeth, e.g. trays or strips
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 3/005 Brushes for applying dental compositions
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 5/62 Applicators, e.g. syringes or guns
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 5/64 for multi-component compositions
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 8/22 Peroxides; Oxygen; Ozone
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/0603 for treatment of body cavities
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/062 Photodynamic therapy, i.e. excitation of an agent
• CPC Class Codes: A61Q 11/00 Preparations for care of the teeth, of the oral cavity or of dentures; Dentifrices, e.g. toothpastes; Mouth rinses

Abstract

A process of whitening a tooth provided by the invention includes the steps of providing a delivery device for mechanical dispensing of a predetermined amount of a whitening composition to an applicator tip; dispensing the amount of whitening composition to the applicator tip; applying the amount of whitening composition disposed on the applicator tip to the tooth to be whitened; and allowing the whitening composition to remain in contact with the tooth for a period of time sufficient to whiten the tooth. Optionally, the process further includes the step of exposing the whitening composition to light. A gum or candy for tooth bleaching is detailed along with methods of use. A device adapted to dispense an amount of a dental whitening composition optionally includes a light source for activating the whitener.

Claims

1. A device for whitening teeth, comprising:

a pen-shaped housing having a central axis with proximal and distal ends, the distal end terminating in an applicator tip with a single group of bristles parallel to the axis of the housing;

a reservoir within the housing containing a peroxide-based tooth whitening composition;

a manually operated control on the housing coupled to an indexing mechanism operative to dispense a predetermined amount of the tooth whitening composition to the applicator tip;

a light source disposed on or in the device such that light emitted by the light source impinges on the tooth whitening composition; and

wherein the light source is disposed on a wall of the reservoir.

2. A device for whitening teeth, comprising:

a pen-shaped housing having a central axis with proximal and distal ends, the distal end terminating in an applicator tip with a single group of bristles parallel to the axis of the housing;

a reservoir within the housing containing a peroxide-based tooth whitening composition;

a manually operated control on the housing coupled to an indexing mechanism operative to dispense a predetermined amount of the tooth whitening composition to the applicator tip;

a light source disposed on or in the device such that light emitted by the light source impinges on the tooth whitening composition; and

wherein the light source is disposed on a wall of the applicator tip.

3. A device for whitening teeth, comprising:

a pen-shaped housing having a central axis with proximal and distal ends, the distal end terminating in an applicator tip with a single group of bristles parallel to the axis of the housing;

a reservoir within the housing containing a peroxide-based tooth whitening composition;

a manually operated control on the housing coupled to an indexing mechanism operative to dispense a predetermined amount of the tooth whitening composition to the applicator tip;

a light source disposed on or in the device such that light emitted by the light source impinges on the tooth whitening composition; and

wherein the light source is disposed on a cap, the cap adapted to cover the applicator tip.

4. A device for whitening teeth, comprising:

a pen-shaped housing having a central axis with proximal and distal ends, the distal end terminating in an applicator tip with a single group of bristles parallel to the axis of the housing;

a reservoir within the housing containing a peroxide-based tooth whitening composition;

a manually operated control on the housing coupled to an indexing mechanism operative to dispense a predetermined amount of the tooth whitening composition to the applicator tip;

a light source disposed on or in the device such that light emitted by the light source impinges on the tooth whitening composition; and

wherein the light source is a luminescent material disposed in the reservoir.

5. The device of claim 4, wherein the luminescent material disposed in the reservoir is a microencapsulated luminescent material.

6. A device for whitening teeth, comprising:

a pen-shaped housing having a central axis with proximal and distal ends, the distal end terminating in an applicator tip with a single group of bristles parallel to the axis of the housing;

a reservoir within the housing containing a peroxide-based tooth whitening composition;

a manually operated control on the housing coupled to an indexing mechanism operative to dispense a predetermined amount of the tooth whitening composition to the applicator tip;

a light source disposed on or in the device such that light emitted by the light source impinges on the tooth whitening composition; and

wherein the light source is a luminescent material disposed in a wall of the reservoir.

7. A device for whitening teeth, comprising:

a pen-shaped housing having a central axis with proximal and distal ends, the distal end terminating in an applicator tip with a single group of bristles parallel to the axis of the housing;

a reservoir within the housing containing a peroxide-based tooth whitening composition;

a manually operated control on the housing coupled to an indexing mechanism operative to dispense a predetermined amount of the tooth whitening composition to the applicator tip;

a light source disposed on or in the device such that light emitted by the light source impinges on the tooth whitening composition; and

wherein the light source is a luminescent material disposed on a surface of a wall of the reservoir.