METHODS FOR WHITENING TEETH

• US 20130295525A1
• Filed: 07/02/2013
• Published: 11/07/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 06/15/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
• Original Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
• Inventors: Sagel, Paul Albert
• Granted Patent: US 9,622,840 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 433/216
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 1/088 Illuminating devices or attachments for examination of the mouth A61B1/24 and A61B1/06
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 19/066 Bleaching devices; Whitening agent applicators for teeth, e.g. trays or strips
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 2800/81 Preparation or application process involves irradiation
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 2800/87 Application Devices; Containers; Packaging
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 8/0233 Distinct layers, e.g. core/shell sticks
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 8/22 Peroxides; Oxygen; Ozone
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/0606 Mouth
• 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

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.

Claims

1. A method of whitening teeth, comprising:

applying a whitening composition to at least one tooth;

maintaining the whitening composition on the at least one tooth for a first time period; and

after the first time period, 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.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the duration of the first time period is at least 80% of the total duration of the time period.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the light radiation is selected for absorption by a stain on the at least one tooth by selecting a wavelength corresponding to a color substantially opposite a color of the stain on the 1976 CIE LAB color scale.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the light radiation is provided at a wavelength between about 440 nm and about 490 nm.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein no photosensitizing agent is applied to the at least one tooth.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the total duration of the first and second time periods is at least 30 minutes, and the second time period is no greater than 5 minutes.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the first time period is sufficient to ensure dilution of peroxide concentrations on tissues surrounding the at least one tooth to less than about 2%.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the whitening composition comprises a layer that is applied to the tooth such that the whitening composition has a peroxide density less than about 1.3 mg/cm².

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the whitening composition comprises a peroxide active having a concentration between about 10% and about 20% of the whitening composition.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the whitening composition is applied to the at least one tooth in a layer having a thickness less than about 0.3 mm.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the whitening composition is provided on a strip of material configured to block light waves having a frequency of greater than about 700 nm.

12. The method of claim 1, further comprising maintaining the whitening composition on the at least one tooth for a third time period after the second time period.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the tooth whitening composition does not include a photosensitizing agent.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein removing the whitening composition from the at least one tooth comprises removing the whitening composition from the at least one tooth after the first time period and before the second time period.

15. A method of whitening teeth, comprising:

applying a whitening composition including a peroxide active having a concentration between about 10% 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 2 minutes to about 120 minutes; 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 2 minutes to about 120 minutes; and

removing the whitening composition from the at least one tooth.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein removing the whitening composition from the at least one tooth comprises removing the whitening composition from the at least one tooth after the first time period and before the second time period.