GB2623582A

GB2623582A - Dental curing and polymerisation device

Info

Publication number: GB2623582A
Application number: GB2215633.5A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Prajapat Kalpresh
Original assignee: Kgcp Ltd
Current assignee: Kgcp Ltd
Priority date: 2022-10-21
Filing date: 2022-10-21
Publication date: 2024-04-24
Also published as: GB202215633D0

Abstract

The present invention provides an apparatus 10 that facilitates the simultaneous light curing and polymerisation of dental materials within the entire dental arch. The apparatus comprises; an arc shaped mouthpiece 100; a plurality of LEDs 110 disposed at intervals, throughout the arc shaped mouthpiece, each LED 110 being located at the centre of where each tooth would be located when the arc device is positioned in the mouth to allow most effective curing; and a power supply configured to provide power to the LEDs. The arc shaped mouthpiece is configured to be received by a user’s mouth and comprising of an outer side 170 facing the labial lip and buccal mucosa and an inner side 160 facing the labial and buccal surfaces of the teeth within the dental arch. The interval may be 10mm; the LED’s may be an LED strip (115, Fig.2); and there may be a convexity 150 in the arc shaped mouthpiece. The apparatus may also comprise a light shield (180, Fig.3); a controller to operate the LEDs; a handle 120; an alarmed timer; and a bite plate.

Description

Dental Curing and Polymerisation Device

Background

Dental curing devices are used in dentistry to cure/polymerise light activated dental materials such as resin composite. They are used in procedures for the fitting of traditional braces, Conventional restoration placement such as Cosmetic composite dental bonding, Fissure Sealing for children, preventative resin restoration/Occlusal composite curing and injection molding composite resin restoration systems.

Light curing of dental materials allows for the dental material to be fixed in place before curing, as opposed to during curing as was the case with traditional resin materials. This allows for the dentist or operator to place the material with no time constraint, with curing to follow, resulting in more accurate placements.

There is a need in the art for a dental curing and polymerisation device that provides faster curing times and allows for full arch simultaneous polymerisation of resin composite.

Summary

The present invention in its various aspects is as set out in the appended claims.

In the following description, a user is described as the person operating the device and the person having the curing treatment. These users may be the same person, or they may be more than one person, e.g., a dentist operating the device and a patient having the device in their mouth for treatment.

The present invention provides an apparatus that facilitates the simultaneous light curing and polymerisation of dental materials within the entire dental arch. The apparatus comprises an arc shaped mouthpiece; a plurality of LEDs disposed at intervals, throughout the arc shaped mouthpiece. Each LED will therefore be located at the center of where each tooth would be located when the arc device is positioned in the mouth to allow most effective curing.

The apparatus further comprises a power supply configured to provide power to the LEDs.

The arc shaped mouthpiece is configured to be received by a user's mouth and comprising of an outer side facing the labial lip and buccal mucosa and an inner side facing the labial and buccal surfaces of the teeth within the dental arch. The LEDs are configured to illuminate the teeth (shining away from the cheek, towards the teeth).

The intervals are preferably between Sand 15mm intervals. Further preferably 10mm intervals. This has the benefit of aligning the LEDs to the position of each tooth within the dental arch for more effective curing.

Preferably, where each LED is located, there will be a convexity in the inner side arc shaped mouthpiece. This provides the benefit of ensuring that the LED is located as close to the tooth as possible to maximise curing performance.

The LEDs may emit light in the range of 390 to 490nm, this is suitable for providing a curing effect to the majority of light curable dental materials. Preferably the LEDs emit light in the range of 440 to 490nm.

The LEDs may have a minimum power output of 400mw/cm2. Preferably the LEDs have a power output of 2000mw/cm2. This power output has been found to have the optimum balance between curing time and safety in terms of potential eye damage.

The apparatus may further comprise a light shield configured to prevent light from the LEDs from reaching a patient's and/or a clinician's eye. The light shield may be an orange filter shield surrounding the LEDs, orange filters effectively screen the light in the 390 to 490nm wavelength range. The light shield may be removably attachable to the arc shaped mouthpiece by magnetic clips.

The apparatus may further comprise a controller configured to operate the LEDs in response to user input.

The user input may be a selection of a cure time. In response to a user selecting a cure time, the controller may turn on the LEDs for the user's selected cure time.

The apparatus may further comprise a handle, the handle disposed on the middle of the arcuate mouthpiece, proximate to the upper and lower labial lips such that the handle will protrude from a user's mouth when in use. the handle may comprise a power button. The power button may be configured to turn the LEDs on and off.

In the case that the apparatus comprises a controller configured to operate the LEDs in response to user input. And the user input is a selection of a cure time. The power button may be pressed repeatedly to select different cure times. The handle may further comprise cure time indicator lights. These light up when a specific pre-set cure time is selected.

Preferably there are 4 pre-set cure times, each having an associated indicator light in the handle. The pre-set times may preferably be 20seconds, 15 seconds, 10 seconds and 5 seconds. Alternatively, the user may be able to set their own curing times via an app and/or via additional buttons on the handle.

The power supply may be housed within the handle. This keeps the power supply away from the user's mouth for safety, and provides suitable volume for a large enough power supply to supply power to the LEDs The arcuate mouthpiece is preferably made of a biocompatible and waterproof IPX7 material. Preferred materials include Soft TPE silicone for the arc and ABS plastic for the handle the soft TPE silicone allows the arc shaped mouthpiece to flex and therefore conform to a user's dental arch. This allows the device to service a larger number of users.

The apparatus may preferably comprise an alarmed timer that allows for specified timed intervals of polymerisation.

The open end of the arc shaped mouthpiece is preferably between 55 and 65mm across, further preferably 60mm across. The height of the arch of the arch shaped mouthpiece is preferably between 45 and 55mm, preferably 50mm. These measurements conform to the average mouth shape. Preferably the arc shaped mouthpiece is made of a flexible material, allowing for variations in jaw size to be catered for in one device.

At the point of attachment between the handle and the arc shaped mouthpiece 100, it it is preferable that the apparatus narrows. This narrowing serves to ensure comfort when the apparatus is in place in a user's mouth. It also serves to provide a point for the user's lips to rest and keep the apparatus in position during use. Preferably this narrow point is between 50 and 30mm across.

The power supply is preferably a battery. This allows for cordless use. However, a chorded version may be preferred in busy dentist offices were stopping to charge the device may cause delays.

The battery is preferably rechargeable. Charging is preferably provided via magnetic connection to the handle part of the device. This improves the waterproofness of the device allowing for easier and more thorough cleaning than a device with a charging port configured to receive a charging cable.

The plurality of LEDs may be an LED strip. This minimises wiring within the arc shaped mouthpiece, and therefore increases robustness and reduced weight. The LED strip is preferably a flexible LED strip so that the mouthpiece can flex to conform to a user's dental arch without breaking the LED strip.

Preferably the LED strip comprised 24 LEDs. Preferably the 24 LEDS are each positioned at proximate to a tooth location when the device is in use.

The LEDs may be embedded within the arc shaped mouthpiece. This makes the device more robust as encapsulating the LEDs within the mouthpiece itself allows for the mouthpiece to be washed without the LEDs coming into contact with water.

The encapsulant of the LEDs may preferably comprise the arc shaped mouthpiece.

Preferably the arc shaped mouthpiece is made of a transparent material. This allows for light from the LEDs to permeate throughout the material in order to reach more areas of the tooth.

The apparatus may further comprise a bite plate extending perpendicularly from one edge of the arch configured to sit between a user's upper and lower dental arches when the device is in use. this ensures that the user has something to bite on and removes the need for the user's lips and cheeks to keep the device in place. This has the further benefit that if the upper arch is being cured, the device will not slip to the lower arch and vice versa.

The bite plate may further extend perpendicularly from an end of the bite plate distal to the arc shaped mouthpiece such that the arch shape mouthpiece and bite plate form an arc shaped channel configured to receive a user's dental arch. This may further prevent slippage.

The bite plate and the arc shaped mouthpiece are preferably made of the same material. As such, light from the LEDs may spread via total internal reflection throughout the arc shaped mouthpiece, therefore increasing the curing area.

The light source of the present invention is as described LED. An alternative could be using a halogen light source, i.e. an incandescent light. However, such an alternative produces high levels of heat which is difficult to dissipate effectively and requires relatively high voltages with attendant risk of electric shock should the apparatus fail to provide electrical contact. In contrast the LEDs of the present invention to be working at 1.5 V and preferably used, are wired in parallel and so have a low risk for electric shock as the voltage at any given point, i.e. the potential difference, is sufficiently low that no significant electric shock can realistically occur.

In a variation the present invention the device allows for polymerisation of both dental arches simultaneously by means of the device having that bite platform to enable curing of both arches. This would be the case for when the attachment template for clear aligner is placed on upper and lower arch and the device inserted and patient bites down whilst allowing for simultaneous polymerization.

Detailed Description

The present invention will now be described in terms of the following figures: Figure 1: A plan view of the apparatus.

Figure 2: A side on view of a section of the apparatus. Figure 3: A top-down view of an example apparatus.

The invention will be disclosed in terms of the following features: 10: Apparatus 100: Arc shaped mouthpiece 110: LED 115: LED strip 120: Handle 130: Power button 140: Timer indicator 150: Convexity 160: Inner side 170:Outer side 180: Filter 185: Magnetic clips In the following description, like features will be given like numerals.

Figure 1 shows an apparatus 10 that facilitates the simultaneous light curing and polymerisation of dental materials within the entire dental arch comprising: an arc shaped mouthpiece 100; a plurality of LEDs 110 disposed at intervals, throughout the arc shaped mouthpiece100. Each led will be located at the center of where each tooth would be located when the arc device is positioned in the mouth to allow most effective curing.

The apparatus 10 further comprises a handle 120 attached to the arc shaped mouthpiece. The handle 120 is preferably waterproof to allow it to be washed between uses without damage to the apparatus 10 At the point of attachment between the handle 120 and the arc shaped mouthpiece 100, it can be seen that the apparatus narrows. This narrowing serves to ensure comfort when the apparatus is in place in a user's mouth. It also serves to provide a point for the user's lips to rest and keep the apparatus in position during use.

The apparatus further comprises a power supply configured to provide power to the LEDs 110, the power supply being housed within the handle 120. The Power supply may be a battery, preferably a rechargeable battery. Preferably the rechargeable battery is be charged via magnetic connection to the handle part of the device. This has the benefit of maintaining waterproofness of the handle 120. The battery may alternatively be charged be charged by induction for a similar benefit.

As an alternative, the power supply to the apparatus may be a power cord configured to supply mains power.

The handle comprises a power button 130 configured to turn the LEDs on and off. The handle additionally comprises timer indication lights 140. The user may press the power button to cycle between timer options. A long press of the power button 130 may turn the apparatus 10 on and off, with further short presses cycling between timer options. The timer indication lights 140 are each associated with a curing time. Preferred curing times are 20 seconds, 15 seconds, 10 seconds, and 3 seconds. The apparatus may be provided with hard coded timer options allowing the lights to be labeled and therefore reducing the chance of error in use. Alternatively, a user may be able to program each timer option to be a custom curing time.

The handle may also house a controller. The controller may be configured to turn the LEDs on and off in response to a user pressing the power button 130. The controller may be configured to turn the LEDs on for a specific period of time in accordance with a user selected timer option.

The arc shaped mouthpiece 100 configured to be received by a user's mouth and comprising of an outer side 170 facing the labial lip and buccal mucosa and an inner side 160 facing the labial and buccal surfaces of the teeth within the dental arch.

Where each LED 110 is located, there will be a convexity 150 in the arc shaped mouthpiece. The plurality of convexities 150 lead to an undulating surface of the inner side 160 of the arc shaped mouthpiece. The convexities serve to position the LEDs 110 closer to the tooth surface when the apparatus is in use. The LEDS 110 may be part of an LED strip 115.

The LED strip 115 may be a flexible LED strip 115. This has the benefit that the LED strip 115 can conform to the shape of the undulating surface of the inner side 160 of the arc shaped mouthpiece 100.

Figure 2 shows a section of the arc shaped mouthpiece 100 of figure 1. The convexities 150 on the inner side 160 are clearly seen. The LEDs are part of an LED strip 115.

The arc shaped mouthpiece is preferably made of a clear material, this allows for light from the LEDs to permeate throughout the material, improving the reach of the light for curing.

The LED strip is preferably embedded within the material of the arc shaped mouthpiece to protect the LEDs from a user's saliva. Despite being embedded, the LED strip 115 can be seen to conform to the shape of the convexities 150, as such the LED strip is preferably a flexible LED strip 115. It is preferable that the strip is at a constant distance from the surface of the inner side 160 throughout the arc shaped mouthpiece.

In an alternative embodiment, the LED strip 115 may be affixed to the surface of the inner side 160. In this case the LED strip preferably comprises a waterproof encapsulant.

The arc shaped mouthpiece 100 is preferably made of a flexible material to allow the arc shaped mouthpiece to conform to the shape of a user's (client's) dental arch allowing for the apparatus to be used in conjunction with various dental arch sizes and configurations.

Figure 3 shows the device of figure 1 with an additional filter 180. The filter 180 is preferably and orange filter. The filter is removably attached to the arc shaped mouthpiece by magnetic clips 185.

In an alternative embodiment, the filter is attached by physical/ mechanical clips.

Claims

Claims, 1. An apparatus that facilitates the simultaneous light curing and polymerisation of dental materials within the entire dental arch comprising: an arc shaped mouthpiece; a plurality of LEDs disposed at intervals, throughout the arc shaped mouthpiece; Each led will be located at the center of where each tooth would be located when the arc device is positioned in the mouth to allow most effective curing.a power supply configured to provide power to the LEDs; wherein; the arc shaped mouthpiece configured to be received by a user's mouth and comprising of an outer side facing the labial lip and buccal mucosa and an inner side facing the labial and buccal surfaces of the teeth within the dental arch.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the intervals are lOmm intervals aligned to the position of each tooth within the dental arch.
3. The apparatus of claim 1, where each LED is located, there will be a convexity in the arc shaped mouthpiece.
4. The apparatus of any preceding claim wherein the LEDs emit light in the range of 390 to 490nm.
5. The apparatus of any preceding claim wherein the LEDs emit light in the range of 440 to 490nm.
6. The apparatus of any preceding claim wherein the LEDs have a minimum power output of 400mw/cm2.
7. The apparatus of any preceding claim wherein the LEDs have a power output of 2000mw/cm2.
8. The apparatus of any preceding claim further comprising a light shield configured to prevent light form the LEDs from reaching the user's or a clinician's eye.
9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the light shield comprises a removal clip-on orange filter shield.
10. The apparatus of any preceding claim further comprising a controller configured to operate the LEDs in response to user input.
11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein in response to a user selecting a cure time, the controller will turn on the LEDs for the user's selected cure time.
12. The apparatus of any preceding claim further comprising a handle, the handle disposed on the middle of the arcuate mouthpiece, proximate to the upper and lower labial lips such that the handle will protrude from a user's mouth when in use.
13. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the power supply is housed within the handle.
14. The apparatus of any preceding claim wherein the arcuate mouthpiece is made of a biocompatible and waterproof IPX7 material.
15. The apparatus of any preceding claim further comprising an alarmed timer that allows for specified timed intervals of polymerisation, namely 20, 15 and 10 seconds.
16. The apparatus of any preceding claim wherein the open end of the arc is 60mm across.
17. The apparatus of any preceding claim wherein the power supply is a battery.
18. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein the battery is rechargeable, and the charging is provided via magnetic connection to the handle part of the device.
19. The apparatus of any preceding claim wherein the plurality of LEDs is an LED strip.
20. The apparatus of any preceding claim wherein the encapsulant of the LEDs comprises the arc shaped mouthpiece.
21. The apparatus of any preceding claim further comprising a bite plate extending perpendicularly from one edge of the arch configured to sit between a user's upper and lower dental arches when the device is in use.
22. The apparatus of claim 21 wherein the bite plate extends further perpendicularly from an end of the bite plate distal to the arc shaped mouthpiece such that the arch shape mouthpiece and bite plate form an arc shaped channel configured to receive a user's dental arch.
23. The apparatus of claim 21 or claim 22 wherein the bite plate and the arc shaped mouthpiece are made of the same material.