GB2522237A

GB2522237A - Dental fragrance device

Info

Publication number: GB2522237A
Application number: GB1400850.2A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Thofah Ahmed
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2014-01-18
Filing date: 2014-01-18
Publication date: 2015-07-22
Anticipated expiration: 2034-01-18
Also published as: GB2522237B; GB201400850D0

Abstract

The invention relates to a system and method for applying a removable dental fragrance device to improve the mouth's scent. The dental fragrance device locates above the gums of a wearer of the device and may comprise a pliable tooth-sized prosthesis which fits over the visible enamel of the tooth like a cap (figure 6), a strip or pad which attaches to the side of the teeth (figure 10), or a clip (figure 15). The device moulds to the enamel in the presence of oral body temperature. The device may be made of semi-permeable resin, gel and/or thermoplastic-type materials, and has a means of containing a fragrant liquid/solid fragrance composition. The present invention relates to disposable delivery systems that are inexpensive and unobtrusive.

Description

DENTAL FRAGRANCE DEVICE

DESCRIPTION

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention provides an improved oral fragrance system and method, with particular emphasis on the reduction and or elimination of morning breath, halitosis and general breath-freshening during wear.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A common occurrence of bad breath is often experienced when one awakes from sleeping. In the morning, the person will brush his or her teeth and/or use a mouthwash.

Most people find that a good brushing or flossing of the teeth before going to bed helps reduce this problem. For others, the occurrence of morning breath happens regardless of the previous oral hygiene efforts the night before (or if one suffers from halitosis).

A secondary issue is encountering situations where it may be inconvenient to brush or floss one's teeth. This is particularly true of travel, during fasting or if one is in an intimate situation. One objective of the present invention is to provide a device suitable for wearing comfortably while sleeping or during daily life which comprises a non-bulky active containment means that will permit the wearer to use the system during social discourse without interfering with the wearer's speech, appearance or masticatory functions.

The advantage of the device is that it can be worn overnight providing a proposed eight to ten hours or more of contact over the teeth, gums to provide concentrated fragrance to the oral cavity. Also needed is a containment means that will protect the oral care substance from erosion from contact with saliva, is non-toxic and which has no flavour.

Another objective of the invention, through further development, is to potentially provide a way in which an antibacterial agent can be incorporated within the device so that the compound is slowly diffused in the area of the mouth when worn, over the teeth and above the gums, to counteract germ build-up during wear (or indeed possibly protect against the build-up of plaque on the actual tooth it assumes).

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a dental prosthesis (realised in multiple designs) comprising at least a mesial contact surface, a distal contact surface, and an occlusal surface.

Considered broadly, the dental fragrance device for wearing in the mouth over the teeth and above the gums could, in one embodiment, resemble a slimline human dentine'-shape in the appearance, dimension and colour, possessing two long opposing elements which protrudes, and which also has an inner groove to fit over the teeth and above the gums of a wearer of the dental fragrance device. The inner channel fits over the teeth (or tooth) and settles above the gum-line while the outer base fits between the upper and lower row of teeth and secures between adjacent teeth.

Another modification could omit said longitudinal prominences altogether and concentrate solely on a cusp' crown shape fig.7, with a slightly more extrusive surface.

The dental fragrance device can be shaped around the inner core to have various configurations, namely assuming the crown shape on top the upper section of a natural tooth. As a soft, conformable material, the device may come into contact with the wearers gums without causing physical irritation.

The incorporated ingredients within the material is understood to include a mixture of compounds that could possibly be volatile and produce an aromatic effect and which stimulate the olfactory bulb. Fragrances are transmitted through the nasal passages, and the releasable material scent can pertain to any fruit, such as citrus or classic minty notes, as well as a whole host of other pleasing scents. Hence, a user can selectively choose a fragrance as other sensory combinations are contemplated.

In another embodiment, the releasable material can be integrally incorporated into an elastomeric material forming the whole of the dental fragrance device implement, such that the sensate or flavouring or both can be released from within the elastomeric material.

Alternatively, the releasable material may be embedded in micro encapsulation form', and then compounded into the elastomer and/or thermoplastic material of the dental fragrance device. In this way, the fragrance can be released in a generally uniform manner during use of the dental fragrance device implement.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the particularly advantageous embodiment of the present invention illustrated, the dental fragrance device (figs.3 and 7) relates to a device for the continued fragrance and freshness of the breath during wear.

The dental fragrance devices' inner channel (fig.3) contains a short groove extending within the device in a vertical fashion which enables it to be assumed and held by the tooth's surface fig.4 (predominantly the crown aspect). The core of the dental fragrance device has a means of connecting or temporarily bonding the disposable prosthesis to the tooth.The device arches fully (figs) over the visible areas of the tooth (both back and front) and has shorter sides that extend no further than the length of the upper cusp portion fig.1 of the tooth to account for the spacial limits set by adjacent teeth fig.2 (so in the minute space between two teeth). The dental fragrance device is shaped to form a flexible, slim claw-like closure (fig.3) whereupon when inserting the device over the teeth and above the gums, the material anchors itself to tooth enamel, keeping the base in tight contact with the tooth.

Advantageously, the protruding sections are identical in dimension and parallel, directed inwardly of the dental fragrance device so that these sections are flexible against forces directed inwardly from the outside of the dental fragrance device, enabling the parallel sections to bend more readily bend to follow the curvature necessary to attach to the tooth enamel (fig 4). The top of the main body interconnect the adjacent protruding sections on the cusp-shaped top, as best represented by fig.5, which comprises a main body of larger diameter with the two upper ends of the two smaller-diameter bodies parallel and spaced apart as seen in fig.3 by a distance adequate to freely accommodate the width of a tooth cusp, both protruding in a downwardly directed shoulder being spaced apart by a smaller distance displacement between the protruding portions. With tongue and finger pressure the device can be eased off the teeth in a peeling and tugging motion.

The surface of the proposed designs of the dental fragrance device fig. 1 and of fig.7 would contain a coat of concentrated fragrance that assumes a cusp-shaped prosthesis to blend in with the coloured appearance of the teeth (fig.5), which is prominently softer at the top to provide a thin, non-stick gel-like buffer (fig.8) between the two upper and lower sets of teeth (fig.5) for comfortable wear The entire device is formed or moulded into the cusp or semi-dentine shape, and adjusted with tongue and/or finger pressure (fig.4).

The dental fragrance device is removable and disposable and/or can be placed in a solution to disinfect and enhance the composites inherent within the prosthesis (so to intensify the fragrance). It will be apparent that various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the claims, however, in a potential modification, the dental fragrance device could possess a plurality of holes extending from the recessed grooves outward toward the surface rendering the device porous (containing fragrant agents) to grip onto human tooth enamel.

The dental fragrance device, in all modifications, would be coloured to match the surrounding dentition (or can be clear) resulting in a secure and almost seamless bond between the prosthesis and support post (or tooth).

The saliva could, in a further alteration, help activate any liquid or solid fragrance composite used within the porous aspects of the dental fragrance device, which is then diffused throughout the oral cavity, helping to freshen the mouth considerably and also to possibly assist in keeping the breeding of germs to a minimum whereby the solid or liquid chemical composite could be provided with an antibiotic medicant and or even a whitening agent for treating the gums and/or teeth after further potential product development.

In the various embodiments throughout the claims and description, the dental fragrance device could be fabricated from a durable flexible pliable gel and/or thermoplastic, resin or elastomer material, soft enough to not irritate the teeth or gums and yet with enough rigidity to provide an enamel-responsive clamping action to hold the device securely onto the teeth during wear, in any proposed design, with particular effective application of the cusp design to secure onto the natural crown aspect of the tooth.

In a preferred embodiment, both the prosthesis's would be formed of a gel-type material with the rigidity of thermoplastic, clear in colour and which attaches to enamel surfaces.

Preferably the coating is manufactured from a biocompatible, high strength, flexible thermoplastic/gel-like material preferably, comprised of a porous or synthetic open cell foam material (or even resin) which is water insoluble, but potentially water permeable and which the material is readily conformable without permanent deformation.

In such a manner, the wearer may enjoy the retention of the prosthesis on top of the tooth's crown, while also having the benefit of an artificial implement that is properly molded to fit in complementary fashion to the cusp/distal end, as well as to provide the same shape and colour from an outward appearance. The upper portion of the dental fragrance device would have been perfected to the point that proper occlusion of such structures may be configured as closely to that of the original tooth in relation to the adjacent teeth in order for the target wearer to, again, enjoy substantially the same benefits of the look and function of the underlying tooth surface.

Another proposed modification could be that the dental fragrance device could be shaped in the manner portrayed in fig. 9, whereby the prosthesis attaches to the sides of several teeth in a suction motion (under the bucchal), delivery system of which would be applying said conformable strip of material with said substance preferably a viscous liquid or gel, applied to said strip of material, preferably as a substantially continuous uniform coating on said strip of material, providing adhesive attachment between said strip and enamel surface to hold this version of the dental fragrance device in place without permanent deformation of strip of material, the location of which would address a potential flaw in device latching when eating solid foods or drinking, to ensure that the masticatory function continues with minimal disruption. Although the device (in any of the proposed manifestations) is strongly recommended for wear during non-consumption of food or drink, this modified version would incorporate the same manufacturing materials (i.e the gel, resin and or thermoplastic materials) and chemical compositions inherent which enables the device to secrete a pleasant fragrance to diffuse into the oral cavity. This proposed modification can assume the general shape of the sides of the teeth or comprise a long thin strip-shape to extend over two or three teeth in a suction motion, running in a lateral-medial fashion over several teeth (use fig.10). The strip of material is generally less than about 1 mm thick, preferably less than about 0.05 mm thick, and more preferably from about 0.001 to about 0.03 mm thick.

Yet another embodiment of the present invention provides a cusp-based tooth cap approximately the appromimate dimensions as a droplet of water, which comprises a minature ball' or oval' shape that connects to said cavity of the tooth cusp, so that the material sticks to said occlusal surface with finger and/or tongue pressure. The preferred material would comprise a stickier, more flexible gel-like body, or possibly via the use of a temporary enamel-bonding adhesive element to attach the prosthesis to the cusp (use figs 13 and 16).

The dental fragrance device could also be realised in a slim line claw-shaped strip (use figs.14 and 15) which attaches itself between two teeth, namely the gingival groove (or the interstitial groove inherent between the teeth) where the prosthesis anchors with finger and or tongue pressure, and the preferred material would comprise a stickier, more flexible gel-like body In either case, the adhesive (or surface) is viscous in a gel-like manner, so that it provides an even dosing of the active, and a rigid tackiness between the dental surface and the strip of material for holding the dental hygiene device in place.

Another aspect of the present invention is the method for delivering the fragrance to the mouth is by applying the oral fragrance substance onto a conformable wafer-thin human nail or half-nail shape' (fig.17) material, whereby the adhesive attachment between the strip of material and the enamel surface maintains the delivery system in place for a sufficient time to allow the dental fragrance device to diffuse the scent in the mouth.

Alternatively, the nail-shape incarnation would be formed of a temporary enamel-bonding gel-like elastomer, which could attach to said enamel surface without the requirement of an adhesive (fig.18).

All proposed design(s) of the dental fragrance device has the means for receiving and containing a concentrated solid or liquid fragrance composite and emitting said fragrance via the coated surface of the dental device or being wetted by saliva enhancing the fragrance, both methods resulting in diffusing and migrating the scent in a gaseous capacity into the oral cavity. As indicated, thermoplastic or even an enamel-bonding resin is the preferred material for attaching the present invention to a real tooth whereby all designs of the dental fragrance device would be easy to produce and of a lower cost.

While the present invention has been described at some length and with some particularity with respect to the several described embodiments, it is not intended that it should be limited to any such particulars or embodiments or any particular embodiment, but it is to be construed with references to the appended claims so as to provide the broadest possible interpretation of such claims in view of the prior art and, therefore, to effectively encompass the intended scope of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The invention will be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: FIG.1 is a first perspective view looking downwardly at the crown-effect surface of the with associated flaps' to secure over the enamel.

FIG.2 is a second perspective view of the device but looking upwardly from below the tooth the dental fragrance device assumes. The shaded element represents the the tooth which assumes the dental device (so it only fits over the visible aspects of the tooth not attached to another).

FIG.3 is a is a semi-diagrammatic view of the dental hygiene device of the present invention looking sideways at how the device fits over the tooth (the tooth being viewed from the side) wherein the tooth engaging prothesis comprise projections.

FIG.4 is a cross sectional of the dental hygiene device as if about to be mounted over the tooth (so a view from the side) to be adjusted by tongue and finger pressure to fit.

FIG.5 is an illustrated view of the dental hygiene device as it appears when mounted over the tooth (adjacent to the other teeth).

FIG.6: is a side-angled view of the dental hygiene device illustrating the flexible characteristics of the device. The two longer portions would fit in in a taut manner over the front and back aspects of the tooth while the grey-shaded aspects of the dental hygiene device fits densely between the gaps of individual teeth by way of finger pressure, with the upper portion of the dental hygiene device.

FIG.7: is a side-angled view of the dental hygiene device illustrating the modified design with the omitted protrusions. A hollow would still be extant to receive the tooth.

FIG 8: is a first perspective view looking upwardly at the channel of the dental device with the omitted protrusions by way of the alternate modification, proposing a more prominent cusp.

FIG 9: is a side angled-view of a proposed modifaction which addresses the issue of rigidity during consumption of solids or liquids. The strip-style' adaptation of the dental hygiene device would stick to the sides of the teeth, in an oval shape.

FIG 10: is a side angled-view of a proposed modiflction which addresses the issue of rigidity during consumption of solids or liquids. The strip-style' adaptation of the dental hygiene device would stick to the sides of the teeth, in an stepped fashion, similar in shape to a tooth whitening strip.

FIG 11: is a is a semi-diagrammatic view of the dental hygiene device of the present invention looking sideways at how the device fits over the tooth (the tooth being viewed from the side) wherein the tooth engaging prothesis comprise almost wafer-thin projections.

FIG 12: is a side angled view of the dental fragrance device highlighting the prosthesis in the wafer-thin version of the device would assume the tooth.

FIG 13: is a side-angled view to the device in the ball' or oval' modification featuring the view of the implement from the side and looking down within the centre of the tooth cusp.

FIG 14: is a side-angled view to the device in the magnet' or claw' modification featuring the view of the implement from the side, which can be mounted downwards or upwards on both rows between the groove of the teeth.

FIG 15: is an illustrated view of the device in a thin elongated claw-shape assuming the groove between 2 teeth. Also present in the portrayal is a first perspective view looking downwards at several teeth which have the device inserted between them, as highlighed by the shaded area.

FIG 16: is a first-perspective view of the dental hygiene device illustrating the modified design in the oval form. The hollow of the cusp would receive the oval shaped prosthesis.

FIG 17: is an illustrated view of the device in the fingernail-shape upwardly mounted on the incisor-shaped tooth.

FIG 18: is an illustrated view of the device in the fingernail-shape downwardly mounted on the molar-shaped tooth.

FIG 19: is a semi-diagrammatic view of the slim claw shape of the dental fragrance device, shown to the side before mounting the interstitial groove between the teeth. a

Claims

STATEMENT OF INVENTIONThis invention pertains to an oral dental fragrance device that can be worn while sleeping, assumed over the teeth/tooth/molar (above the gumline) which comprises a solid or liquid-state composite incorporated to keep the breath clean and fresh-smelling, and thereby vastly reducing and/or eliminating the occurrence of morning and/or bad breath/halitosis.CLAIMS1. With regards to the dental fragrance device, this prosthesis is comprised within one body with the potential of an adhesive for wearing in the mouth over the teeth and above the gumline, which has a pliable element to fit in various forms over the tooth enamel of a wearer of the device.
2. The dental fragrance device for wearing in the mouth over the teeth of claim 1 has a means for receiving and/or incorporating a non-toxic and tasteless liquid or solid state fragrance recipe, and delivering said fragrance by either emanating from the device surface material or even via being activated by saliva, thereby allowing the scent from the solid/liquid composite to activate and diffuse into the oral cavity.
3. The dental fragrance device for wearing in the mouth over the teeth, of claim 2, comprises a shallow pocket or inner channel extending within the dental fragrance device, which is formed in the shape of the dentine' aspect of the tooth (which can also be shaped to fit a molar canine and incisor) comprising a plurality of enamel engaging elements, namely the twin protrusions (Fig.3) 4. The dental fragrance device for wearing in the mouth over the teeth and along the gums of claim 3 possesses the means for clamping onto the tooth (comprising a recessed-groove channel extending within the length of the device) whereby the device arches and attaches over the visable areas of the tooth, arching back and front and comprising truncated sides that fit only around the upper cusp portion of the tooth (which also serve to account for the limits set by adjacent teeth.5. The dental fragrance device for wearing in the mouth over the teeth of claim 4 visually replicates the cusp' or crown appearance of the tooth from the surface aspect, comprising a basal end for anchoring to and fitting between the grooves of the teeth, and relates to an accurately sized onlay tooth cusp.6. The dental fragrance device for wearing in the mouth over the teeth of claim 5 is disposable after 12 hours or potentially can be used longer if placed in an inclusive solution to reactivate and or compound and intensify the solid or liquid particle fragrance.7. The dental fragrance device for wearing in the mouth over the teeth of claim 6 is essentially comprised of either a flexible pliable gel, moldable elastomer and/or thermoplastic wherein the releasable scent is embedded within the chosen material.8. The dental fragrance device for wearing in the mouth over the teeth of claim 7 wherein the device, in another modification, may consist of porous synthetic open- cell pliable material which is liquid insoluble, but liquid permeable by way of a liquid-replenishing mechanism.9. The dental fragrance device for wearing in the mouth over the teeth of claim 8 wherein upon inserting the pliable device over the visable surface of the tooth in any of the proposed physical manifestations, is then molded to fit by using the fingers and/or tongue pressure.10. In more simplistic embodiment, the dental fragrance device of claim 9 cound have the longer protruding sections omitted, so the device affixes itself to the upper molar cusp section only, whereby the base width would be substantially wider than the height as opposed to the previous proposed dentine design of claim 3.11. The dental fragrance device of claim 10 may also be anatomically shaped to match the general sizes of the surrounding dentition, and coloured so that the surface is shaded to match natural dentition, or can be substantially clear when worn.12. In these arrangements of claim 11, the elastomeric releasable material is provided as one homogeneous element, whereby the releasable material migrates outward and transfers onto the oral cavity in a gaseous capacity 13.The releasable material of the dental fragrance device of claim 12 can be pre-compounded or pre-formulated with a hydrogel based polymer, or other bio-material prior to final compounding into the elastomeric material, having a preferred nominal thickness of less than 0.1 mm, and having a sufficient flexibility to form a curved shape and being readily conformable to tooth surfaces and to interstitial tooth spaces without permanent deformation when placed against the teeth.14. The material definitions of claim 13 may also be incorporated into another proposed modification whereby the dental fragrance device could be shaped in the manner portrayed in fig. 9 (a repetitive oval shape) so it attaches by finger pressure to the sides of several teeth (secured under the bucchal), which would address a potential flaw in device latching when eating solid foods or drinking as realized in claims 1,8 and 10.15.Afurther augmented version of the design in claims 10 and 14 could have the pre-formulated fragrance encapsulated in the elastomer/thermoplastic/gel material in a strip-shape as portrayed in fig 10 to stick or attach itself to the sides of several teeth in a narrower (horizontal) fashion with minimal disruption to eating or drinking activities as stated in claim 14.16. The dental fragrance device modification of claim 15 would be realized in a strip of material having a shape adapted to fit the sides of the user's teeth, each of said user's teeth having a front side, a tip wherein the strip has two sides, being opposing and of the same length and dimensions, a back side without covering the tips of the teeth and assuming a stepped fashion' when applied to the central section of the row of teeth.17. The dental fragrance device modification of claim 16 could also be realized in an oval (fig. 13) or ball shape (fig.16) which is assumed and assumed within the central part of the molar cusp with finger and/or tongue pressure, the concentrated oral fragrance substance being incorporated onto the oval/ball mass itself.18. Another proposed design of claim 17 of the dental fragrance device could also be realised in a slim magnet-shaped strip which attaches itself between the grooves of the teeth (fig.15), namely the gingival groove (or the groove inherent between each tooth) where the material anchors and locks to said groove with finger and or tongue pressure (fig.19).19. Afinal proposed design modification of claim 17 of the dental fragrance device would be applying said substance onto a conformable strip of material, around the same mass area as the side of a canine, incisor, molar or premolar shape and having a sufficient flexibility to form a curved shape and to effectively stick stand-alone on the outside of a tooth (under the buccal) preferably being readily conformable to the enamel surface with minimal disruption to masticatory functions (Fig.18).Amended claims have been filed as follows:-CLAIMS1. With regards to the dental fragrance device, this prosthesis is comprised within one body with the potential of an adhesive (for extra security) for wearing in the mouth over a molar and above the gumline, which has a pliable element to fit in various forms over the molar crown of a wearer of the device (fig.2).2. The dental fragrance device for wearing in the mouth over the molar of claim 1 has a means for receiving and/or incorporating a non-toxic and tasteless liquid or solid state fragrance formula (fig.1), and delivering said fragrance by either emanating If) from the device surface material or even via being enhanced by saliva, thereby allowing the scent from the solid/liquid composite to activate and diffuse into the oral cavity in a concentrated aroma.LI) 3. The dental fragrance device for wearing in the mouth over the molar of claim 2, 0 comprises a shallow pocket or inner channel extending within the dental fragrance device, which is formed in the shape of the cusp' aspect of the crown of the molar.tX') (Fig.3) which is assumed within the central part of the said cusp with finger and/or tongue pressure, the concentrated oral fragrance substance being incorporated into the material.
4. The dental fragrance device for wearing in the mouth over the molar and along the gums of claim 3 possesses the means for clamping onto the molar cusp atop the crown (comprising a recessed-groove channel extending within the length of the device) whereby the device arches and attaches over the visable upper area of the cusp of the molar, arching back and front, whereby the base width would be wider than the height.
5. The dental fragrance device for wearing in the mouth over the molar of claim 4 visually replicates the cusp' or crown appearance of the tooth from the surface aspect, comprising a basal end for anchoring to and fitting between the grooves of the cusp, and relates to an accurately sized onlay molar crown.
6. The dental fragrance device for wearing in the mouth over the molar of claim 5 is disposable after 12 hours or potentially can be used longer if placed in an inclusive solution to reactivate and or compound and intensify the solid or liquid particle fragrance.
7. The dental fragrance device for wearing in the mouth over the molar of claim 6 is essentially comprised of either a flexible pliable gel, moldable elastomer and/or thermoplastic wherein the releasable scent is embedded within the chosen material.
8. The dental fragrance device for wearing in the mouth over the molar of claim 7 wherein the device, in a modification, may consist of porous synthetic open-cell pliable material which is liquid insoluble, but liquid permeable by way of a liquid-replenishing mechanism.PAGE 7
9. The dental fragrance device for wearing in the mouth over the molar of claim 8 wherein upon inserting the pliable device over the visable surface crown of the molar in the proposed physical manifestation, can then be molded to fit by using the fingers and/or tongue pressure (fig.4).
10. The dental fragrance device of claim 9 may also be anatomically shaped to match the general sizes of the surrounding dentition, and coloured so that the surface is shaded to match natural dentition, or can be substantially clear when worn.
11. In these arrangements of claim 10, the elastomeric releasable material is provided as one homogeneous element in the dental fragrance device, whereby the releasable material migrates outward and transfers onto the oral cavity in a gaseous capacity.
12.The releasable material of the dental fragrance device of claim 11 can be pre-compounded or pre-formulated with a hydrogel based polymer, or other bio-material prior to final compounding into the elastomeric material, having a preferred nominal thickness of less than 0.1 mm, and having a sufficient flexibility to form a curved shape and being readily conformable to molar surfaces and to interstitial tooth spaces without permanent deformation when placed against teeth (fig.5). IC) IC) IC) r