Method and Material for Brightening Teeth

For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention, reference should be head to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 shows a set of upper teeth and a full splint therefore;

FIG. 2 shows the splint positioned on the teeth;

FIG. 3 shows a set of upper teeth and two partial splints therefore; and the two partial splints of FIG. 3 positioned on the teeth.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

FIG. 1 illustrates a mold 14 a full tooth mold made in a traditional way by the dentist. In this discussion, we can assume that mold 14 is in fact a representation of the actual mouth of a patient having gingiva 13 with teeth 15 extending therefrom. Of course, in our example mold 14 contains all of its teeth. This, as will be seen, is not necessarily critical to the functioning of the invention. In addition, many people have teeth which are not fully aligned. This again, is not a problem, since the splint, (as will be discussed) will allow for individual tooth differences. FIG. 1 also shows splint 10 made by the dental professional in a manner to be more fully detailed hereinafter. At this point, it is sufficient to note that splint 10 has sealed end portions 102 and 103 and inter proximal portions 104 within the splint 10. The person wishing to brighten his or her teeth obtains the cleaning solution 101 (which will be discussed in more detail hereinafter) and places within the tooth cavity 11 of the splint a few drops 12 of the solution.

As shown in FIG. 2, the splint is then positioned by the user around teeth 15 and gingiva 13 making a substantially air tight seal 202 between the top portion of splint 10 and gingiva 13.

FIG. 3 shows the same mouth mold 14 with two partial splints 30 and 31. Splint 30 covers some of the front teeth whole splint 31 covers three of the molars. It should be noted the splints 30 and 31 can be constructed to cover any number of teeth, from a single tooth to a full splint. The ends of splint 30 have closed end portions 303 and 304 formed to prevent cleansing solution 12 from leaking out of the splint. Splint 31 has end portions 301 and 302 similarly designed.

FIG. 4 shows partial splints 30 and 31 positioned around their respective teeth, each forming a substantially air tight seal with their adjacent gingiva.

Once the splint is in place, the user then wears the splint for a number of hours, removes the splint, rinses the teeth, preferably with a fluoride compound, and then repeats the process. For users who wish to brighten their teeth slowly, wearing the splint only while sleeping will suffice. This method will usually take about four weeks to show dramatic results. Others, who desire faster whitening, may choose to wear the splint during the day as well. This is possible because of the transparent, thin nature of the splint. When the degree of brightness desired by the user is achieved, the user stops wearing the splint.

One method of creating the splint includes the following steps:

(a) making a mold of the tooth or teeth to be cleaned in the traditional manner, well-known to dental professionals and as shown in FIG. 1;

(b) obtaining a sheet of plastic material of the appropriate size and between 0.01 inch and 0.1 inch thick depending upon the application;

(c) placing the sheet in a holder;

(d) spraying silicone on both sides of the plastic sheet;

(e) heating the plastic sheet on one side only until it becomes clear;

(f) placing the clear plastic over the prepared model (missing teeth can be replaced with denture teeth or metal crown forms) or over only the teeth representative of the teeth to be cleaned.

(g) immediately pressing molding putty against the heated plastic, using fingers to contour the heated plastic over the model;

(h) removing the model and trimming the plastic; and

(i) sealing the ends of the splint to minimize air and saliva from entering and to minimize solution from leaking (or bring sucked) out.

Another method of forming the splint would be to use the omnivac method now commonly employed in dentist offices for other dental applications. It is important to note, however, that any method of constructing a splint is acceptable. Advantageously, the splint should be resilient to allow the user to remove and replace the splint around the tooth or teeth.

The solution that is inserted in the splint can be selected from the peroxy compounds, and can be the above-mentioned PROXIGEL oral cleanser. One drop per tooth has shown to be sufficient to begin the cleaning process. Renewing the solution every 4 hours has shown to be effective in substantially brightening teeth within two weeks to a point where the difference in brightness (before and after) is readily apparent even to the untrained eye. The longevity of the brightness, or to say if the other way, the amount of time it takes for the stains or yellowing to return will depending upon conditions in the mouth.

This procedure has been demonstrated to clean yellow teeth, teeth dark from tetracycline, dark from reaction to orthodontics and teeth dark from unknown causes. In most situations, the compound used was a 10% solution of carbamide peroxide. Tests have shown the preferred cleaning solution to be peroxyl gel mixed with peroxigel in the ratio of 3 millileters of peroxyl gel to 1.2 ounces of peroxyl. Greater than 3 milliliters of peroxyl reduces the viscosity to a point where it is not easily retained in the splint. Stannous fluoride, or other fluorides, can be mixed with the cleaner to provide greater benefits, if desired. Other compounds used with this method have shown good results.

One advantage of this procedure is that the teeth are cleaned uniformly and at the same time. Thus, a person does not have each tooth a different color, even for a few days. This is of particular importance where teeth are misaligned or not straight. The splint holes the cleaning solution against the teeth and even brightening is achieved. Of course, when and if it is observed that one portion of teeth is becoming brighter than another, the splint can be modified to allow different amounts of fluid into contact with different teeth. This can be done with separate splints, or with splints divided into sections internally by physical barriers. The physical barriers can be part of the splint structure or added temporarily for periods of time. This is shown by barrier 305 in FIG. 3. Barrier 305 can be, for example, cemented in position between teeth to allow for separate application of cleansing material in each section. The dental professional can adjust the positioning of the barrier by removing and recementing the barrier, or by other means.

The present disclosure includes that contained in the appended claims as well as that of the foregoing description. Although this invention has been described in its preferred form with a certain degree of particularity, it is understood that the present disclosure of the preferred form has been made only by way of example and that numerous changes in the details of construction and the combination and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.