WO2006107362A1

WO2006107362A1 - Light activated tooth whitening system, device and method

Info

Publication number: WO2006107362A1
Application number: PCT/US2006/001459
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ajit Khubani
Original assignee: Ajit Khubani
Priority date: 2005-04-01
Filing date: 2006-01-13
Publication date: 2006-10-12

Abstract

A light activated tooth whitening system and method including a light device having a light element for projecting light at a user's teeth and a lip retainer, which can be a retaining ridge. The lip retainer in conjunction with the user' s lips position the light element to direct light toward the user's teeth. The system and method may include an applicator, such as a mouthpiece, a dental tape or strip, or a brush, to apply a light activated tooth whitening composition to at least a portion of one of a user's teeth. The applicator can include composition retention areas for holding the composition and dispensing the composition onto the user's teeth by positioning the applicator proximate the user's teeth.

Description

LIGHT ACTIVATED TOOTH WHITENING SYSTEM, DEVICE AND METHOD

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/667,912 filed April 1, 2005 and U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/672,613 filed April 18, 2005.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[00001] The present invention concerns a system, device and method related to and/or for use with light activated tooth whitening compositions.

[00002] Present devices for use with light activated tooth whitening compositions typically are handheld and the light is shone on the teeth from outside the user's mouth. In such systems, the tooth whitening composition is either applied directly to the teeth or is applied to a mouthpiece which is then contacted with the teeth.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[00003] One object of this invention is to provide a light device which shines light on light activated tooth whitening composition on a user' s teeth; the light device being independent from an applicator which applies the composition to a user' s teeth.

[00004] Another object of this invention is to provide a tooth whitening apparatus which is held in the user' s mouth by the user' s lips .

[00005] An additional object of the present invention is to provide a light activated tooth whitening system including an applicator, for example a mouthpiece, a dental tape or strip, or a brush, adapted to apply a light activated tooth whitening composition to at least a portion of one or more user's teeth. The applicator can be, but does not have to be, used with a light device adapted to be held proximate the user' s teeth by at leas^'t one lip of the user, such that light is directed in the direction of the user's teeth.

[00006] Another object of the present invention is to provide a method of whitening teeth for use with a light activated tooth whitening composition including: (1) applying the light activated tooth whitening composition to at least a portion of one or more user's teeth; (2) placing a light device adjacent to the user' s teeth such that light is directed in the direction of the user's teeth; and (3) maintaining the light source in a position adjacent to the user's teeth using at least one lip of the user.

[000-07] In addition, a further object of this invention is to provide a light activated tooth whitening system having: (1) an applicator for applying a light activated tooth whitening composition to at least a portion of one tooth of a user; and

(2) a light device for directing light to the light activated tooth whitening composition, the light device having a lip retainer .

[00008] Further, the applicator can be: (1) a mouthpiece for accommodating the light activated tooth whitening composition such that the light activated tooth whitening composition is brought into contact with the portion of the tooth by positioning the mouthpiece proximate the portion; (2) a dental strip for accommodating the light activated tooth whitening composition such that the light activated tooth whitening composition is brought into contact with the portion of the tooth by positioning the dental strip proximate the portion; (3) a flexible material that bends to accommodate an arch of one or more teeth of the user when pressed against the arch; (4) an out facing surface, an in facing surface having a plurality of openings, and a reservoir positioned between the in facing surface and the out facing surface for holding the light activated tooth whitening composition, such that in use, the light activated tooth whitening composition seeps through the plurality of openings to contact the at least one portion of the tooth; and/or (5) a brush for painting the light activated tooth whitening material onto the at least one portion of the tooth, and a handle attached to the brush for controlling the painting.

[00009] Another object of the invention is to provide an applicator which is pre-coated with the light activated tooth whitening composition; and/or an applicator which is coated with the light activated tooth whitening composition by the user.

[00010] An additional object of the invention is to provide a lip retainer having a retaining ridge positioned such that when the light device is placed into the user' s mouth at least one lip of the user engages the retaining ridge to retain the light device in the user's mouth.

[00011] A further object of the invention is to provide a light activated tooth whitening system having: (1) an applicator for accommodating a light activated tooth whitening composition and for applying the light activated tooth whitening composition to at least one portion of one tooth of a user, the applicator having a slab shape such that the light activated tooth whitening composition contacts the at least one portion of the tooth by positioning the applicator proximate the portion; and (2) a light device for directing light to the light activated tooth whitening composition. The applicator can have one or more composition retention areas, which can be channels, for retaining the light activated tooth whitening composition and for dispensing the composition onto the at least one portion from the retention areas, and can be formed from flexible material that bends to accommodate an arch of one or more teeth of the user when pressed against the arch.

[00012] An additional object of the invention is to provide a method of whitening teeth for use with a light activated tooth whitening composition having the steps of: (1) applying the light activated tooth whitening composition to at least one portion of a tooth of a user; (2) positioning a light device such that light is directed in the direction of the at least one portion; and (3) maintaining the positioning of the light source using at least one lip of the user. Additionally, the step of applying can further include: (a) positioning an applicator proximate the at least one portion; and/or (b) depositing the light activated tooth whitening composition onto the applicator prior to positioning the applicator. Further, the maintaining step can include establishing contact between at least one lip of the user and a retaining ridge of the light device to maintain the positioning of the light device.

[00013] Yet another object of the invention is to provide a light device for directing light to a light activated tooth whitening composition having: (1) a light element for projecting light at a user's teeth; and (2) a lip retainer for retaining the light element proximate to at least one portion of a tooth of a user.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[00014] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a light device abutting a mouthpiece according to one embodiment of this invention;

[00015] Fig. 2 is a rear view of the light device and mouthpiece of Fig. 1;

[00016] Fig. 3 is a top view of the light device and mouthpiece of Fig. 1;

[00017] Fig. 4 is a side perspective view of the light device and mouthpiece of Fig. 1;

[00018] Fig. 5 is a bottom view of the light device and mouthpiece of Fig. 1;

[00019] Figs. 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, 6e, and 6f are, respectively, schematic rear, bottom, front, side, top, and perspective views of the light device according to one embodiment of this invention;

[00020] Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a light element of a light device according to one embodiment of this invention;

[00021] Fig. 8 is a rear view of the light element of Fig. 7;

[00022] Fig. 9 is an electronic schematic diagram of the light device according to one embodiment of this invention; [00023] Fig. 10 is a front view of a mouthpiece in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

[00024] Fig. 11 is a side view of the mouthpiece of Fig. 10;

[00025] Fig. 12 is a front view of a mouthpiece in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

[00026] Fig. 13 is a side view of the mouthpiece of Fig. 12;

[00027] Fig. 14 is an illustration of a dental strip in a tooth whitening system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[00028] Fig. 15 is a cross section diagram of a dental strip in a tooth whitening system according to an embodiment of the present invention; and

[00029] Fig. 16 is a flow chart illustrating a method of whitening teeth in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[00030] Fig's. 1-6, illustrating one embodiment of the present invention, show a light device 10 for a tooth whitening apparatus and a separate mouthpiece 11 abutting, or connected to, the light device 10.

[00031] As shown in Fig. 1, the tooth whitening apparatus includes a light device 10 which has an activating button 20 on the upper surface and a housing 12 enclosing the electronics and, optionally, the power supply. The light device 10 also includes a retaining ridge 18 which is designed so that the user can "insert the retaining ridge into the mouth and wrap his/her lips around the portion of the light device behind the ridge. By retaining the light device in this way, the light element 50 which is mounted proximate the front surface of the light device 10, is in close proximity to the surface of the user's teeth thereby permitting activation of any tooth whitening composition on the user's teeth.

[00032] While this light device 10 can be. used whenever a light activated whitening composition is on the user' s teeth, in one embodiment of this invention, the user has placed the tooth whitening composition on a mouthpiece 11 which is already inserted in the user' s mouth when the light device 10 is inse-rted. As best shown in Figs. 4 and 5, the mouthpiece 11 is formed from a front curved portion 36 and a horizontal portion 38 which form L-shaped retention areas 32 and 34. In one embodiment of this invention, the mouthpiece 11 is assembled from two separate pieces of transparent or translucent flexible plastic, that is, an upper piece 14 and a lower piece 16. As shown in Fig. 3, the upper piece 14 includes posts which fit into depressions or holes 26 on the lower piece 16 and allow the two pieces to be snapped together by the user. Of course, other methods of attaching the upper piece 14 and the lower piece 16 may be employed in the practice of this invention. The upper piece 14 also includes an indentation 24 to allow room for the connective tissue between the user' s upper lip and the user' s upper gum. In one embodiment, the retaining ridge 18 also includes a corresponding indentation 22.

[00033] In operation, a user snaps the upper piece 14 of the mouthpiece 11 to the lower piece 16. The user then applies the tooth whitening composition to at least a portion of each L- shaped retention area such that, when the assembled mouthpiece 11 is placed in the user's mouth and pushed against the user's teeth, the tooth whitening composition will cover at least a portion of the front surfaces of the user's teeth. If the user desires to whiten only the upper or lower teeth, only the upper piece 14 or the lower piece 16 need be used.

[00034] The user then inserts the light device 10 into the user' s mouth such that the user' s lips surround the retaining ridge 18 of the front portion of the light device. The front surface of the light device 10 will then abut the front curved portion 36 of the mouthpiece 11. The user then turns on the light by pressing the activating button 20 on the light device 10. The light device 10 emits light which is directed toward the user's teeth. In this way, light is caused to irradiate the light activated tooth whitening composition through the transparent mouthpiece, and thereby activate the whitening composition. [00035] Figs. 6c, 7 and 8 show the light element 50 in the light device 10. The light device includes preferably one light- emitting diode (LED) in a transparent plastic package or lens 52. The light element 50 is prepared by placing the LED package 52 in a mold in which additional transparent material, such as the material used to make the LED lens, is added to create the parallelogram-shaped light element 50. A light reflective material, such as a metal foil or coating, is then placed around the sides 62 of the parallelogram-shaped lens so that the light emitted by the LED will be reflected off the reflective surfaces and be emitted from the front 64 of the light device. Leads 56, 58 for powering the LED are provided through the rear reflective surface of the light element 50. While only one LED is shown in Figs. 6c, 7 and 8, more than one LED can be molded into light element 50.

[00036] The circuit for controlling the light element 50 is shown in Fig. 9 and includes: a battery (BAT 1), a diode (Dl) and a capacitor (Cl) to provide a voltage to a timer chip (Ul) . The 'timer chip then causes transistor (Ql) to turn the light element 50 (D2, D3) on and off through resistors (R3, R4) . In a preferred embodiment, only one LED (D2) is used. The button 20

(TRIGGER) pushed by the user, which starts the timer, is also shown in this diagram. Timing cycles of 1-60 minutes are anticipated by this invention although other schema can be used, including ones in which the light turns on and off several times for each push of the button. The timing and wavelength of light element 50 can be selected to be the most effective range for the particular whitening composition being used.

[00037] While the user's lips easily hold the light device 10 next to the mouthpiece independently, the user may also use his/her hands to hold the light device. Furthermore, as long as light from the light device 10 reaches and can pass through the mouthpiece, the light device 10 need not abut the mouthpiece. For example, the user can hold the light device 10 outside the mouth and keep his/her lips open during the administration of the light so the light can travel into the mouth and through the mouthpiece to activate the light activated tooth whitening composition. For such a use, the light device 10 need not include the retention ridge 18. Indeed, in one embodiment of the light device 10, the retention ridge 18 is removable.

[00038] Figs. 10 and 11 illustrate another embodiment of a mouthpiece 120 of the present invention in which one or more channels 122 extend across the in facing side 124, that is, the side that faces the user's teeth when in use. In this embodiment, the mouthpiece 120 is approximately 2 millimeters thick and each channel is approximately 1 millimeter deep and 3 millimeters across. Unlike the mouthpiece 11 shown in Figs. 1 to 5, this mouthpiece 120 has a slab shape, that is, the mouthpiece 120 lacks a horizontal portion 38 which provides retention areas 32, 34 for the light activated tooth whitening composition in mouthpiece 11. Instead, mouthpiece 120 uses the channels 122 to retain the whitening composition. The mouthpiece 120 need not have a rectangular shape, see Fig. 10 for example, which provides four lobe ends 128 and an indentation 129 for the connective tissue. In addition, the mouthpiece 120 can be formed in a fixed arch shape (the lobe ends curving up from the page) to approximately match the arch of a typical user's teeth. However, in one embodiment, the mouthpiece 120 is a substantially flexible flat slab conforming to the curvature of the arch when the slab is pressed against the user's teeth. [00039] In operation, the user places the light activated tooth whitening composition in each of the channels 122 and then positions the in facing side 124 against his/her teeth for the application of light as discussed above. For example, the light activated tooth whitening composition can be dispensed through a nozzle to form a bead of the composition along each channel 122. Then, when the mouthpiece 120 is pressed against the user's teeth, the whitening composition is squeezed and spreads throughout each channel 122 and onto other portions of the in facing side 124 thereby covering the front surface and side surfaces of the teeth. Most commercially available light activated tooth whitening compositions have sufficient viscous and adhesive properties to hold the mouthpiece 120 against the user^'' s teeth.

[00040] Figs. 12 and 13 illustrate another embodiment where, instead of depressed channels 122, channel walls 130 rise, in one embodiment less than 1/2 millimeter, above the in facing side 124 to define channels 132 on the surface itself. This embodiment then operates similarly to the embodiment of Figs. 10 and 11.

[00041] Other variations on the embodiments of Figs. 10-13 are envisioned by this invention. For example, more than two channels can be provided, the channels can intersect and crisscross to form a matrix or a random pattern, the channels can -meander, the thickness and depth of the channels can vary, etcetera. Furthermore, separate mouthpieces can be provided for each of upper and lower teeth, or for the left and right side, or any particular tooth, etcetera. [00042] In another embodiment, a mouthpiece or other applicator may not be necessary. For example, the user can paint or brush the light activated tooth whitening composition, for example, a resin-based composition, onto his/her teeth. For this purpose, a brush with a handle can be provided to control the painting of the light activated tooth whitening composition onto the teeth.

[00043] In this embodiment, the composition should have sufficient viscosity and/or adhesion so that the composition does not slide off the teeth for at least a sufficient period of time to administer the light. In one embodiment, the front surface of the light device 10 can press and hold the painted tooth whitening composition against the user's teeth.

[00044] In an alternative embodiment, the light activated tooth whitening composition can be applied to the user' s teeth utilizing a dental tape or dental band containing a whitening composition, also known as a dental strip 70, that allows some or all of the light from the light element 50 to pass through. Fig. 14 illustrates such a dental tape.

[00045] The dental strip 70 can be a length of thin flexible material which can be applied to the surface of one or more of the user's teeth. Dental tapes are well known in the art. For example, several are available from the Procter & Gamble Company of Cincinnati, Ohio. However, these dental tapes are typically not marketed for use with a light device such as that described in the present application.

[00046] The dental strip 70 can be applied to the front surface of the user' s teeth by placing the side of the strip which has been treated with the light activated tooth whitening composition against the user's teeth. In some embodiments, the dental strip 70 is wide enough to extend to cover both the front and back surfaces of the user's teeth by folding the strip around the bottom of the teeth. Such a front and back configuration can be useful to capture certain less viscous light activated tooth whitening compositions that would otherwise slide out from between the user' s teeth and the dental tape. The flexible dental strip 70 may be pre-coated with the light activated tooth whitening composition before the dental strip is obtained by the end user. Alternatively, the light activated tooth whitening composition may be applied to the dental strip 70 by the user prior to applying the dental strip.

[00047] ^• In one embodiment, as illustrated in Fig. 15, the dental strip 70 can include a reservoir 72 holding a quantity of the light activated tooth whitening composition positioned between an out facing side 74 and an in facing side 76 of the dental strip 70. The out facing side 74 faces away from the user's teeth when applied to the user's teeth 79, and the in facing side 76 abuts the user's teeth. Upon application of this dental strip 70 to the teeth of the user, the tooth whitening composition seeps through a plurality of pores or openings (not shown) formed in the in facing side 76 of the dental strip and onto the user's teeth. As with the mouthpiece 11, the front surface of the light device 10 can, but need not, abut the out facing side 74 of the dental strip 70. As long as sufficient light from the light device 10 reaches and passes through the dental strip 70 to activate the whitening composition, the light device 10 can be positioned inside or outside the mouth. [00048] As discussed above, the dental strip 70 is preferably substantially translucent, transparent, or otherwise penetrable by light, such that the light from the light device 10 that is directed at the teeth passes through the dental strip 70 to activate the light activated tooth whitening composition provided by the strip to the user's teeth.

[00049] The dental strip 70 may include an adhesive substance to aid in adhering the dental strip to the teeth of the user. In addition, the tooth whitening composition may include an adhesive. Typically, the dental strip 70 will be attached to one or more upper teeth or lower teeth of the user. Since the dental strip 70 is flexible, the strip bends to accommodate the arch of the user's teeth.

[00050] In one embodiment, also illustrated in Fig. 15, the reservoir 72 can include one or more capsules 78 which hold the light activated tooth whitening composition. To use the dental strip, the user ruptures the capsules 78, for example by applying pressure along the strip, thereby releasing the tooth whitening composition into the reservoir 72. In this way, leakage out through the pores is prevented before use.

[000.51] A method of whitening teeth using a light activated tooth whitening composition is described with reference to Fig. 16. In step 100, the tooth whitening composition is applied to at least one of the user's teeth. In step 102 a light device is placed in the user' s mouth such that light is directed at the at least one tooth. In step 104, the light device is maintained in a position adjacent to the user's teeth using at least one lip of the user for a period of time. [00052] The light activated tooth whitening composition may be applied to the user's teeth in step 100 using any applicator, such as the mouthpieces 11, 120, the dental tapes or dental strips 70, or the brush described above and thus need not be discussed in further detail. The light device that is placed into the user's mouth and maintained adjacent to the user's teeth in steps 102, 104 can be substantially similar to the embodiments of the light device 10 described above and thus, will not be discussed in further detail.

[00053] While this invention has been described for use with a light activated tooth whitening composition, the device can also be used with non-light-activated compositions to illuminate the teeth and/or provide a timer so the user knows when the tooth whitening by the composition has been completed.

[00054] While the present application discloses specific embodiments of an apparatus for use with light activated tooth whitening, it should be understood that many variations are possible. The present application is intended to extend to all such variations.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A light activated tooth whitening system comprising: an applicator for applying a light activated tooth whitening composition to at least a portion of one tooth of a user; and a light device for directing light to the light activated tooth whitening composition, the light device having a lip retainer.

2. The - system of claim 1, wherein the applicator comprises : a mouthpiece for accommodating the light activated tooth whitening composition such that the light activated tooth whitening composition is brought into contact with the portion of the tooth by positioning the mouthpiece proximate the portion.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the applicator comprises : a dental strip for accommodating the light activated tooth whitening composition such that the light activated tooth whitening composition is brought into contact with the portion of the tooth by positioning the dental strip proximate the portion.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the applicator comprises a flexible material that bends to accommodate an arch of one or more teeth of the user when pressed against the arch.

.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the applicator is pre- coated with the light activated tooth whitening composition.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the applicator is coated with the light activated tooth whitening composition by the user.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the applicator comprises : an out facing surface; an in facing surface having a plurality of openings; and a reservoir positioned between the in facing surface and the out facing surface for holding the light activated tooth whitening composition, such that in use, the light activated tooth whitening composition seeps through the plurality of openings to contact the at least one portion of the tooth.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the applicator comprises : a brush for painting the light activated tooth whitening material onto the at least one portion of the tooth; and a handle attached to the brush for controlling the painting.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the lip retainer comprises a retaining ridge positioned such that when the light device is placed into the user' s mouth at least one lip of the user engages the retaining ridge to retain the light device in the user's mouth.

10. A light activated tooth whitening system comprising: an applicator for accommodating a light activated tooth whitening composition and for applying the light activated tooth whitening composition to at least one portion of one tooth of a user, the applicator having a slab shape such that the light activated tooth whitening composition contacts the at least one portion of the tooth by positioning the applicator proximate the portion; and a light device for directing light to the light activated tooth whitening composition.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the applicator has one or more composition retention areas for retaining the light activated tooth whitening composition and for dispensing the composition onto the at least one portion from the retention areas .

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the composition retention areas are channels.

13. The system of claim 10, wherein the applicator is formed from flexible material that bends to accommodate an arch of one or more teeth of the user when pressed against the arch.

14. A method of whitening teeth for use with a light activated tooth whitening composition comprising: applying the light activated tooth whitening composition to at Teast one portion of a tooth of a user; positioning a light device such that light is directed in the direction of the at least one portion; and maintaining the positioning of the light source using at least one lip of the user.

15; The^' method of claim 14, wherein the step of applying further comprises the step of: positioning an applicator proximate the at least one port-ion.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein the step of applying further comprises the step of: depositing the light activated tooth whitening composition onto the applicator prior to positioning the applicator.

17. The method of claim 14 wherein the maintaining step comprises : establishing contact between at least one lip of the user and a retaining ridge of the light device to maintain the positioning of the light device.

_ 18. A light device for directing light to a light activated tooth whitening composition comprising: a light element for projecting light at a user's teeth; and a lip retainer for retaining the light element proximate to at least one portion of a tooth of a user.