U.S. patent application number 10/771950 was filed with the patent office on 2004-08-12 for teeth treatment device.
Invention is credited to Ibsen, Robert, Jacobs, Scott.
Application Number | 20040157192 10/771950 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46300786 |
Filed Date | 2004-08-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040157192 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Jacobs, Scott ; et
al. |
August 12, 2004 |
Teeth treatment device
Abstract
A method of making a teeth treatment device including forming
and cutting a plurality of devices on a continuous process. A
textured cloth is passed through a container having melted wax
therein to form a wax saturated cloth. The wax saturated cloth is
cooled before applying a quantity of bleaching solution to one
side. A thin plastic sheet is joined to the one side of the cloth
to form a plastic coating thereon that may be pealed away for use.
The plastic coated wax saturated cloth is cut into individual
strips having a predetermined configuration and put into
packaging.
Inventors: |
Jacobs, Scott; (Lakewood,
CO) ; Ibsen, Robert; (Santa Maria, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Law Offices of John S. Munday
PO BOX 423
Isanti
MN
55040
US
|
Family ID: |
46300786 |
Appl. No.: |
10/771950 |
Filed: |
February 3, 2004 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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10771950 |
Feb 3, 2004 |
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10185087 |
Jun 28, 2002 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
433/217.1 ;
424/53 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61C 19/066 20130101;
A61C 19/063 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
433/217.1 ;
424/053 |
International
Class: |
A61K 007/20; A61C
005/00 |
Claims
1. A method of making a teeth treatment device, comprising the
steps of: passing a substrate through a container having melted wax
therein to form a wax saturated substrate; applying a quantity of
bleaching solution to one side of said wax saturated substrate;
joining a thin plastic sheet to said one side of said wax saturated
substrate to form a plastic coated wax saturated substrate having a
quantity of bleach; cutting said plastic coated wax saturated
substrate having a quantity of bleach into individual strips having
a predetermined configuration; and packaging said individual
strips.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein said substrate is selected from
the group consisting of cheese cloth, non woven natural fiber
fabric, woven natural fiber fabric, non woven synthetic fiber
fabric, woven synthetic fiber fabric, paper and combinations
thereof.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein said substrate is first mounted
on a roll to provide a continuous roll of said cloth, and said wax
container includes a roller to transmit said substrate through said
container.
4. The method of claim 1, which includes the further step of
cooling the wax saturated substrate prior to said bleaching step.
includes cooling means positioned for cooling the wax saturated
substrate prior to said bleaching step and roller means for
directing said cooled wax saturated substrate from said container
means to said bleach spray means.
5. The method of claim 4, wherein said cooled wax saturated
substrate has a thickness ranging from about 0.01 to 0.03
inches.
6. The method of claim 5, wherein said cooled was saturated
substrate has a thickness of about 0.015 inches.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein said wax contain at least 25
percent by weight of paraffin wax.
8. The method of claim 7, wherein said was contains over 40 percent
by weight paraffin wax.
9. The method of claim 1, wherein said strips are cut to allow the
device to generally conform to a patient's teeth.
10. The method of claim 9, wherein said strips are formed into
specific patterns to permit the pattern to be folded into a three
dimensional tray.
11. Apparatus for making a teeth treatment device, comprising:
supply means for supplying textured substrate; container means for
receiving said textured substrate and having melted wax therein to
form a wax saturated substrate; bleach spray means positioned for
applying a quantity of bleaching solution to one side of said wax
saturated substrate; plastic sheet means for joining a thin plastic
sheet to said one side of said wax saturated substrate to form a
plastic coated wax saturated substrate having a quantity of bleach;
die means for cutting said plastic coated wax saturated substrate
having a quantity of bleach into individual strips having a
predetermined configuration; and packaging means for packaging said
individual strips.
12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein said substrate is selected
from the group consisting of cheese cloth, non woven natural fiber
fabric, woven natural fiber fabric, non woven synthetic fiber
fabric, woven synthetic fiber fabric, paper and combinations
thereof.
13. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein said textured substrate is
first mounted on a roll to provide a continuous roll of said
substrate, and said wax container includes a roller to transmit
said substrate through said container means.
14. The apparatus of claim 13, which includes cooling means
positioned for cooling the wax saturated substrate prior before
said bleach spray means and roller means for directing said cooled
wax saturated substrate from said container means to said bleach
spray means.
15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein said cooled wax saturated
substrate has a thickness ranging from about 0.01 to 0.03
inches.
16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein said cooled wax saturated
substrate has a thickness of about 0.015 inches.
17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein said wax contain at least 25
percent by weight of paraffin wax.
18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein said was contains over 40
percent by weight paraffin wax.
19. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein said strips are cut to allow
the device to generally conform to a patient's teeth.
20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein said strips are formed into
specific patterns to permit the pattern to be folded into a three
dimensional tray.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to the method of making a
dental device that can be customized to an individual patient's
teeth, without the necessity of professional service. More
particularly, the invention relates a method of manufacturing a
device allowing individuals to brighten or bleach their own teeth
without visiting a dental office or laboratory. Other conventional
treatments are also contemplated with the device of this
invention.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Dental trays are receptacles that are used to carry a
medicine or dental hygiene materials, such as bleaching agents or
fluoride application, and apply them to the teeth. It confines the
material next to the teeth during the application. Bleaching is
becoming more popular with the general public because efforts have
been made to simplify the bleaching process and provide devices
useful for home care and treatment by individuals without
professional supervision.
[0003] There are two types of dental trays: stock and customized.
Stock trays are pre-fabricated into a variety of standard sizes.
They are used only for preliminary procedures and to produce
impressions for casting as an interim step to creating more
accurate dental trays and models of teeth. Custom trays are made by
a dentist or technician by molding a material over a gypsum model
of the patient's teeth. In order to get the gypsum model, a
preliminary impression is made from the patient's teeth. The model
requires at least one dental visit and requires a laboratory to
construct the gypsum model.
[0004] Once the model is made, the customized dental tray is formed
by the dentist or lab according to the limitations of the materials
to be used for the tray. If the tray is made of thermoplastic
sheets, the tray may be formed in a vacuum forming machine or other
machine which exerts pressure. The sheets are placed in a soft
state over the model and pressure is applied while the material
sets.
[0005] Attempts have also been made to design simpler devices for
use by the patient at home. Tarvis U.S. Pat. No. 5,340,314
discloses the simplest use of dental wax, where the flat wax 14 in
FIG. 2 is rolled to fit the shape of a dental plate. No suggestion
of any use other than to take impressions is made in this patent.
Sintov et al U.S. Pat. No. 5,425,953 discloses a liquid polymer
that includes a bleaching agent or other treatment agent. There is
no reference to dental wax in Sintov et al. Curtis et al U.S. Pat.
No. 5,639,445 employs a dilatant silicone polymer composition that
is shaped and pressed against the teeth for sufficient time to
release the active component. The polymer in Curtis et al is
elastic, putty-like in composition, and is primarily directed at
removing food particles from between the teeth and/or applying a
dentifrice or medicament to below the gum line. Yarborough U.S.
Pat. No. 5,713,738 employs laser light to activate bleaching agents
applied to the teeth. Latex rubber is used to cover the mouth other
than the teeth.
[0006] Sagel et al U.S. Pat. No. 5,879,691 (Sagel '691) covers a
delivery system using a strip of material having a low flexural
stiffness. The material is generally characterized as being thin,
having a flexural stiffness less than a predetermined value,
readily conformable without permanent deformation, and having some
adhesive properties. The preferred material is a gel and the
specific preferred gel is formed from 70% glycerin, 5%
carboxypolymethylene, 10% carbamide peroxide and 15% water. The
material is very soft, almost mushy, and is different in kind from
the dental wax which fractures when bent quickly at room
temperature.
[0007] Sagel et al U.S. Pat. No. 5,891,453 (Sagel '453) discloses
an improvement on Sagel '691, in which the strip of material is any
number of materials, both synthetic and natural, and would broadly
include dental wax if that material, not disclosed, was as flexible
as called for by the patent. The clear plastic flexible material on
to which the gel is placed is much more flexible than dental
wax.
[0008] Finally, Sagel et al U.S. Pat. No. 5,894,017 (Sagel '017)
discloses the same flexible material with a substance on it for
treating teeth. This patent calls for the substance to additionally
provide an adhesive attachment between the strip and the surface to
hold the delivery system in place. Treatment agent 14 in FIG. 1 is
an illustration of one adhesive agent.
[0009] All three Sagel et al patents provide for covering the front
of the teeth but do not have a configuration suitable for covering
the back of the teeth.
[0010] One embodiment of the present invention is to provide a
simple method and device for whitening teeth could be provided.
[0011] Another embodiment is a method and device that uses commonly
known dental materials.
[0012] Yet another embodiment is a method of making a device that
is low cost and yet effective.
[0013] Still another embodiment manufactures a device that can be
reused by the same patient simply by rinsing and cleaning the
tray.
[0014] One embodiment is a method of making a dental bleaching tray
that can also be used for other purposes, such as fluoride
treatment, anti-bacterial treatments and the like.
[0015] Other embodiments will appear hereinafter.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0016] The present invention is an assembly of two components,
referred to as the upper and lower jaw pattern forms. Pattern forms
are sized to allow the device to generally conform to the patient's
teeth. Both the upper jaw and lower jaw patterns are die cut from
commercially available dental wax, and are formed into specific
patterns with fold lines impressed thereon to permit the pattern to
be folded into a three dimensional tray when contoured to teeth
along those fold lines.
[0017] The term "dental wax" is well known in the art and describes
a large number of products of various compositions and components,
all of which are known by this generic term. The preferred wax is
paraffin wax, and the preferred dental waxes of the present
invention contain at least 25 percent by weight of paraffin wax,
and preferably over 40 percent by weight paraffin wax. Other
components may be resins such as polyvinyl acetate and other
synthetic resins that are compatible with the human body, in that
they do not have a harmful affect on the user. One preferred dental
wax is manufactured by Hase Petroleum Wax Co. of Arlington Heights,
Ill., and is sold under the trade name HP11168 dental wax. This
preferred dental wax has a melting point of between about
140.degree. F. and 160.degree. F., and softens at less than
98.degree. F. so that it can be used as described herein.
[0018] The dental wax used is thin, ranging from about 0.02 to 0.08
inches thick, with 0.04 inch thickness being preferred. The wax is
capable of softening at body temperature, of less than 98.6.degree.
F., and is contoured by being held between the user's fingers and
thumb before being placed on the teeth for forming.
[0019] The finished tray is then removed and bleaching solutions
are placed in the tray. In this embodiment the inside of the tray
adjacent to the teeth is textured or scored to hold the solution.
Other solutions can also be used with this tray, such as fluoride
treatment, anti-bacterial treatments and the like.
[0020] The invention provides a simple dental tray that is easily
and inexpensively made without the necessities of repeat visits to
a dentist or doctor, and without the necessity of sophisticated
equipment or technicians.
[0021] The method of making the device preferred in this invention
comprises the steps of passing a substrate through a container
having melted wax therein to form a wax saturated substrate;
applying a quantity of bleaching solution to one side of said wax
saturated substrate; joining a thin plastic sheet to said one side
of said wax saturated substrate to form a plastic coated wax
saturated substrate having a quantity of bleach; cutting said
plastic coated wax saturated substrate having a quantity of bleach
into individual strips having a predetermined configuration; and
packaging said individual strips. The preferred substrate is
selected from the group consisting of cheese cloth, non woven
natural fiber fabric, woven natural fiber fabric, non woven
synthetic fiber fabric, woven synthetic fiber fabric, paper and
combinations thereof. The preferred thickness for the cooled wax
saturated substrate has a thickness ranging from about 0.01 to 0.03
inches, with 0.015 inches being preferred.
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0022] FIG. 1 is side elevational view of the lower jaw pattern of
the present invention;
[0023] FIG. 2 is side elevational view of the upper jaw pattern of
the present invention; and
[0024] FIG. 3 is a schematic, side elevational view of the process
of making the pattern products of this invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0025] As shown in the drawings, the present invention comprises a
thin dental wax pattern that can be folded to form a bleaching
tray. A lower jaw pattern 11 is shown in FIG. 1 and an upper jaw
pattern 13 is shown in FIG. 2. Both the lower pattern 11 and the
upper pattern 13 have a front edge 15 which is sized to cover the
front of a user's teeth.
[0026] Both patterns 11 and 13 also have a longitudinal fold line
17 and 19, respectively, which divide the patterns 11 and 13 into
two parts, the front portion 21 that extends from fold line 17 in
FIG. 1 or fold line 19 in FIG. 2, to front edge 15 and the back
portion 23 that extends from fold line 17 to back edge 25. Back
portion 23 has at least two areas 27 and 29 cut from the back
portion, extending generally from the back edge 25 to fold line 17,
to permit the pattern to be folded to form a tray conforming to the
patient's lower or upper teeth.
[0027] In the lower jaw pattern shown in FIG. 1, the fold line 17
and the front edge 15 are arcuate, defining a curve that permits
better conformation to the lower jaw. In FIG. 2, it is seen that
the fold line 19 is straight and axial with the length of the
pattern 13, and front edge 15 has a lesser arcuate curve.
[0028] As noted above, the dental wax is thin, ranging from about
0.02 to 0.08 inches thick, with 0.04 inch thickness being
preferred. The wax is capable of softening at body temperature, of
less than 98.6.degree. F., and is contoured by being held between
the user's fingers and thumb before being placed on the teeth for
forming. Another way of warming the wax for application is to
simply hold it under the warm water tap while running the warm
water for a few minutes. One preferred dental wax is the previously
described Hase Petroleum Wax Co. dental wax HP11168.
[0029] The preferred method of this invention is illustrated in
FIG. 3, where the apparatus 31 generally has a substrate 33 stored
on roller 35 that is saturated with melted wax 37 by passed the
substrate 33 through a container 39 and around roller 41 to form a
wax saturated substrate 43. As the saturated substrate passes
around guide roller 45, a quantity of bleaching solution is sprayed
onto one side of said wax saturated substrate by spray nozzle 47. A
thin plastic sheet 49 is drawn from roller 51 on to one side of the
wax saturated substrate to form a plastic coated wax saturated
substrate. The plastic coated wax saturated substrate 43+49 moves
along cutting table 53 and cutting die 55 cuts the substrate into
individual strips 57a, 57b, 57c, etc., each having a predetermined
configuration as described above. The strips 57a, etc. are packaged
and are ready for use. The thickness of the wax coated substrate 43
can be thinner than previously thought, and preferably ranges from
about from about 0.01 to 0.03 inches. Most preferred is a thickness
of 0.015 inches.
[0030] The substrate can be any substrate that is flexible and is
capable of absorbing wax in the process described herein. Preferred
fabrics are cheese cloth, non woven natural fiber fabric, woven
natural fiber fabric, non woven synthetic fiber fabric, woven
synthetic fiber fabric, paper and combinations thereof.
[0031] It should be noted that the tray of the present invention is
capable of covering the entire set of teeth up to the gum line or
gingival margin. Once the tray is warm, it is placed against the
front of the teeth and folded over the teeth to extend over the
back of the teeth. Finger pressure is used to pack the tray against
the front and back, and then the jaw is closed to bite gently, to
replicate the tops of the teeth as well. Thus a total treatment of
all the teeth, or any region of the upper or lower teeth, can
effectively be achieved. Finally, the top of the tray can be
trimmed with scissors or a hot instrument, and then flame polished
to eliminate any sharp edges.
[0032] The finished tray that has been formed to fit the user is
then removed and bleaching solutions are placed in the tray. The
inside of the tray is textured, such as by pressing during the
cutting stage during manufacture, to hold the bleaching solution.
Preferred bleaching solutions and other solutions that affect the
appearance of the teeth are, without limitation, hydrogen peroxide,
carbamide peroxide, sodium fluoride, sodium monofluorophosphate,
pyrophosphate, clorhexidine, polyphosphate, triclosan and enzymes.
One preferred treatment agent is a chlor-haidine solution used as
an antibacterial agent for the treatment of gingivitis. Another
preferred treatment agent is potassium nitrate for the treatment of
tooth sensitivity.
[0033] As has been noted above, the present invention may be used
for bleaching but other dental procedures are also within the scope
of the invention, including whitening, stain bleaching, stain
removal, re-mineralization, plaque removal and tartar removal. It
is contemplated that the tray of the present invention will cover
all or only some of the patient's teeth, depending on the treatment
in use. Simple cosmetic bleaching often does not include any teeth
that are not visible in normal smiling and the like, such as those
back from the first bicuspid.
[0034] The tray is now ready for use. A number of tests were
performed, using the present invention, producing a whitening or
bleaching of the teeth of a number of individuals, with results
being substantially identical to bleaching procedures done by
dentists and dental hygienists in the dental offices. The cost of
using the invention described herein is much less than that of a
dental office.
[0035] While particular embodiments of the present invention have
been illustrated and described, it is not intended to limit the
invention, except as defined by the following claims.
* * * * *