Liquid-gas interface plasma device
First Claim
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1. A method for whitening teeth, comprising:
- supplying a liquid sufficient to at least partially submerge a portion of a tooth;
positioning a plasma device adjacent to the submerged portion of the tooth, the plasma device including an electrode formed from a metal alloy and a dielectric layer covering the electrode, wherein the dielectric layer is slidably disposed over the electrode;
supplying ionizable media to the plasma device;
igniting the ionizable media at the plasma device sufficient to form a plasma effluent in the presence of the liquid at a distal portion of the plasma device, whereby the plasma effluent reacts with the liquid to form at least one reactive species that interacts selectively with foreign matter disposed on the tooth; and
sliding the dielectric layer to adjust an exposure distance of the plasma device.
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Abstract
A method for whitening teeth is disclosed. The method includes supplying a liquid sufficient to at least partially submerge a portion of a tooth; positioning a plasma device adjacent to the submerged portion of the tooth; supplying ionizable media to the plasma device; and igniting the ionizable media at the plasma device sufficient to form a plasma effluent in the presence of the liquid at the distal portion, whereby the plasma effluent reacts with the liquid to form at least one reactive species that interacts selectively with foreign matter disposed on the tooth.
504 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A method for whitening teeth, comprising:
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supplying a liquid sufficient to at least partially submerge a portion of a tooth; positioning a plasma device adjacent to the submerged portion of the tooth, the plasma device including an electrode formed from a metal alloy and a dielectric layer covering the electrode, wherein the dielectric layer is slidably disposed over the electrode; supplying ionizable media to the plasma device; igniting the ionizable media at the plasma device sufficient to form a plasma effluent in the presence of the liquid at a distal portion of the plasma device, whereby the plasma effluent reacts with the liquid to form at least one reactive species that interacts selectively with foreign matter disposed on the tooth; and sliding the dielectric layer to adjust an exposure distance of the plasma device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method for whitening teeth, comprising:
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supplying a liquid sufficient to at least partially submerge a portion of a tooth; positioning a plasma device adjacent to the submerged portion of the tooth, the plasma device including an electrode formed from a metal alloy and a dielectric layer covering the electrode, wherein the dielectric layer is slidably disposed over the electrode; supplying ionizable media and at least one precursor feedstock to the plasma device; igniting the ionizable media and the at least one precursor feedstock at the plasma device sufficient to form a selectively reactive plasma effluent in the presence of the liquid at a distal portion of the plasma device, whereby the plasma effluent reacts with the liquid to form at least one reactive species that interacts selectively with foreign matter disposed on the tooth; and sliding the dielectric layer to adjust an exposure distance of the plasma device. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method for whitening teeth, comprising:
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supplying deionized water sufficient to at least partially submerge a portion of a tooth, the plasma device including an electrode formed from a metal alloy and a dielectric layer covering the electrode, wherein the dielectric layer is slidably disposed over the electrode; positioning a plasma device adjacent to the submerged portion of the tooth; supplying ionizable media and at least one precursor feedstock to the plasma device; and igniting the ionizable media and the at least one precursor feedstock at the plasma device sufficient to form a plasma effluent in the presence of the deionized water at a distal portion of the plasma device, whereby the plasma effluent reacts with the deionized water to form at least one of hydroxide and hydrogen radicals that interacts selectively with foreign matter disposed on the tooth; and sliding the dielectric layer to adjust an exposure distance of the plasma device. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification