Methods for whitening teeth
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method of whitening teeth, comprising:
- applying a whitening composition as a layer having a thickness less than about 0.3 mm to at least one tooth;
maintaining the whitening composition on the at least one tooth for a first time period without an application of light radiation; and
after the first time period while the whitening composition remains upon the at least one tooth, directing a light radiation toward the at least one tooth for a second time period, the first time period having a duration greater than 50% of a total duration of the first and second time periods; and
removing the whitening composition from the at least one tooth;
wherein the whitening composition is translucent and is applied to said at least one tooth by a translucent strip or tray, and wherein said light radiation is directed toward said tooth through said translucent strip or tray and through said translucent whitening composition;
and wherein the radiation intensity is no greater than about 150 mW/cm2.
0 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
In a tooth whitening method, a whitening composition is applied to at least one tooth. The whitening composition is maintained on the at least one tooth for a first time period. After the first time period, a light radiation is directed toward the at least one tooth for a second time period. The first time period has a duration greater than 50% of a total duration of the first and second time periods. The whitening composition is removed from the at least one tooth.
571 Citations
25 Claims
-
1. A method of whitening teeth, comprising:
-
applying a whitening composition as a layer having a thickness less than about 0.3 mm to at least one tooth; maintaining the whitening composition on the at least one tooth for a first time period without an application of light radiation; and after the first time period while the whitening composition remains upon the at least one tooth, directing a light radiation toward the at least one tooth for a second time period, the first time period having a duration greater than 50% of a total duration of the first and second time periods; and removing the whitening composition from the at least one tooth;
wherein the whitening composition is translucent and is applied to said at least one tooth by a translucent strip or tray, and wherein said light radiation is directed toward said tooth through said translucent strip or tray and through said translucent whitening composition;and wherein the radiation intensity is no greater than about 150 mW/cm2. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
-
-
13. A method of whitening teeth, consisting of:
-
applying a translucent whitening composition including a peroxide active having a concentration between about 7.5% and about 20% to at least one tooth in a layer having a thickness less than about 0.3 mm and a peroxide density less than about 1.3 mg/cm2; maintaining the whitening composition on the at least one tooth for a first time period of about 25 minutes to about 29.5 minutes without an application of light radiation; and after the first time period, directing a light radiation provided at a wavelength between about 440 nm and about 490 nm and an intensity of no greater than about 45 mW/cm2 toward the at least one tooth for a second time period of about 0.5 minutes to about 5 minutes while the whitening composition remains upon the at least one tooth; and removing the whitening composition from the at least one tooth. - View Dependent Claims (14)
-
-
15. A method of whitening teeth, comprising:
-
applying a whitening composition as a layer having a thickness less than about 0.3 mm to at least one tooth; maintaining the whitening composition on the at least one tooth for a first time period without an application of light radiation; and after the first time period removing the whitening composition from the at least one tooth, and directing light radiation toward the at least one tooth for a second time period, the first time period having a duration greater than 50% of a total duration of the first and second time periods, wherein the radiation intensity is no greater than about 150 MW/cm2. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
-
-
24. A method of whitening teeth, consisting of:
-
applying a whitening composition including a peroxide active having a concentration between about 7.5% and about 20% to at least one tooth in a layer having a thickness less than about 0.3 mm and a peroxide density less than about 1.3 mg/cm2; maintaining the whitening composition on the at least one tooth for a first time period of about 25 minutes to about 29.5 minutes without an application of light radiation; and after the first time period, removing said whitening composition and directing a light radiation provided at a wavelength between about 440 nm and about 490 nm and an intensity of no greater than about 45 mW/cm2 toward the at least one tooth for a second time period of about 0.5 minutes to about 5 minutes. - View Dependent Claims (25)
-
Specification