Methods of whitening teeth

• US 6,958,144 B2
• Filed: 01/17/2002
• Issued: 10/25/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 09/25/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Discus Dental LLC (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Original Assignee: Britesmile Development Incorporated
• Inventors: Montgomery, R. Eric
• Primary Examiner(s): KRASS, FREDERICK F
• Application Number:
  US10/050,196
• Publication Number:
  US 20020131937A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,377 Days
• Field of Search: 424/53, 433/215, 433/216, 433/217.1
• US Class Current: 424/53
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 2800/51 Chelating agents
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 2800/52 Stabilizers
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 2800/88 Two- or multipart kits
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 8/19 containing inorganic ingredients
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 8/22 Peroxides; Oxygen; Ozone
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 8/24 Phosphorous; Compounds thereof
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 8/365 Hydroxycarboxylic acids; Ketocarboxylic acids
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 8/41 Amines
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 8/44 Aminocarboxylic acids or derivatives thereof, e.g. aminocarboxylic acids containing sulfur; Salts; Esters or N-acylated derivatives thereof
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 8/55 Phosphorus compounds
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 8/8147 Homopolymers or copolymers of acids; Metal or ammonium salts thereof, e.g. crotonic acid, (meth)acrylic acid; Compositions of derivatives of such polymers
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: A61Q 11/02 Preparations for deodorising, bleaching or disinfecting dentures

Abstract

The present invention is directed towards methods of whitening teeth by applying to the teeth a composition having a pH of between about 7 and about 10 and then contacting the teeth with a hydrogen peroxide-containing compound in an amount effective to whiten teeth.

Claims

1. A method for whitening teeth of a subject comprising the steps of sequentially

applying to the teeth a first composition having a pH of between about 7 and about 10 and comprising an alkalizing agent, and

contacting the teeth with a tooth bleaching compostion comprising hydrogen peroxide, wherein the teeth are in contact with the tooth bleaching compostion for a time range of 15 and 30 minutes.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the alkalizing agent is selected from the group consisting of potassium phosphate, sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, ammonium hydroxide, sodium carbonate, ammonium carbonate, potassium carbonate, tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane and triethanolamine.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the first composition is a rinse, paste or gel.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the first composition is buffered to maintain tooth surface pH between about 7 and about 10.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein tooth surface pH is maintained at a pH of between about 7 and about 10.

6. A method for whitening teeth of a subject comprising the steps of sequentially

raising tooth surface pH to between about 7 and about 10, and

contacting the teeth with a peroxide-containing or peroxide releasing tooth bleaching composition, wherein the teeth are in contact with the tooth bleaching composition for a time range of 15 and 30 minutes.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein the step of raising tooth surface pH includes applying to the teeth a first composition comprising an alkalizing agent having a pH of between about 7 and about 10.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein the alkalizing agent is selected from the group consisting of potassium phosphate, sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, ammonium hydroxide, sodium carbonate, ammonium carbonate, potassium carbonate, tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane and triethanolamine.

9. The method of claim 7 wherein the first composition is a rinse, paste or gel.

10. The method of claim 7 wherein the first composition is buffered to maintain tooth surface pH at between about 7 and about 10.

11. The method of claim 6 wherein tooth surface pH is maintained at a pH of between about 7 and about 10.

12. A method for whitening teeth of a subject comprising the steps of sequentially

applying to the teeth a composition capable of buffering tooth surface pH at between about 7 and about 10, and

contacting the teeth with a hydrogen peroxide releasing or hydrogen peroxide containing tooth bleaching compostion, wherein the teeth are in contact with the tooth bleaching compostion for a time range of 15 and 30 minutes.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein the composition capable of buffering tooth surface pH includes a member selected from the group consisting of potassium phosphate, sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, ammonium hydroxide, sodium carbonate, ammonium carbonate, potassium carbonate, tris(hydroxmethyl)aminomethane triethanolamine.

14. The method of claim 12 wherein the composition capable of buffering tooth surface pH is a rinse, paste or gel.

15. A method for whitening the teeth of a subject comprising the steps of sequentially

buffering tooth surface pH at between about 7 and about 10, and

contacting the teeth with a peroxide releasing or hydrogen peroxide containing tooth bleaching composition , wherein the teeth are in contact with the tooth bleaching composition for a time range of 15 and 30 minutes.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein the step of buffering includes applying to the tooth surface a composition comprising a member selected from the group consisting of potassium phosphate, sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, ammonium hydroxide, sodium carbonate, ammonium carbonate, potassium carbonate, tris(hydroxymethyl)aminoinethand triethanolamine.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein the composition is a rinse, paste or gel.

18. A method for whitening the teeth of a subject comprising the steps of sequentially

applying to the teeth a first compostion having a pH of between about 7 and about 10,

maintaining tooth surface pH at between about 7 and about 10, and

contacting the teeth with a peroxide containing or hydrogen peroxide releasing tooth bleaching composition, wherein the teeth are in contact with the tooth bleaching composition for a time range of 15 and 30 minutes.

19. The method of claim 18 wherein said first composition includes a member selected from the group consisting of potassium phosphate, sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, ammonium hydroxide, sodium carbonate, ammonium carbonate, potassium carbonate, tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane and triethanolamine.

20. The method of claim 19 wherein the composition is a rinse, paste or gel.