WO2009008746A1

WO2009008746A1 - Ozone treatment

Info

Publication number: WO2009008746A1
Application number: PCT/NZ2008/000162
Authority: WO
Inventors: Richard Wayne Owen
Original assignee: Richard Wayne Owen
Priority date: 2007-07-10
Filing date: 2008-07-10
Publication date: 2009-01-15
Also published as: NZ556452A

Abstract

The invention comprises a stent having a shape and configuration such that the stent can be fitted over a dental arch with a space between the stent and the dental arch. The stent has connection means through which a gas can be supplied to the dental arch in a manner such as the gas forms an environment about that dental arch. Methods of making the stent are described and claimed.

Description

Ozone Treatment

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a method of forming a stent and/or a stent which has been devised particularly for use in dentistry.

BACKGROUND ART

In dentistry elimination of bacteria, which are responsible for tooth decay and periodontal disease, is of particular importance. Simple procedures such as brushing the teeth and the use of dental floss are largely aimed at the removal of bacteria or at least the removal of materials in which bacteria may multiply.

It has been found that ozone can be applied to teeth surfaces to good effect in the reduction of bacteria on or around the teeth. Ozone can kill up to 99% of all bacteria, viruses and fungi.

However, currently ozone can only be applied to individual teeth and such ozone does not penetrate easily between the teeth or along the gum line. As these are often the primary sites for decay to occur and for periodontal problems to arise the use of ozone in the reduction of bacteria on or around the teeth is limited. This is disadvantageous.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a method of forming a stent and/or a stent which will obviate or minimise the foregoing disadvantages in a simple yet effective manner or at which will least provide the public with a useful choice.

STATEMENT OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, in one aspect the invention consists in a method of forming a stent for the delivery of gas to teeth comprising the steps of; forming a pattern replicating or representing a dental arch, coating at least part of the pattern with a layer of material to form said stent, said layer of material being provided with connection means whereby when the stent is in use gas can be supplied to the interior of the stent.

Preferably the pattern is coated with a first layer of material prior to being coated with a second layer of material to form the stent.

Preferably said first layer and said second layer are formed from settable material.

Preferably a release material is positioned between said first layer of settable material and said second layer of settable material.

Preferably said first layer of settable material extends on to the pattern to a position beyond a position representing the gingival margin.

Preferably the first layer of settable material extends to a position substantially 3 millimetres beyond a position representing the gingival margin.

Preferably the thickness of material is approximately 2 millimetres thick.

Preferably the first layer and the second layer of material are thermo mouldable material.

Preferably the connection means comprises a socket formed on the second layer of material and aperture through the material of the socket.

Preferably the first layer of settable material has an aperture through.

In a further aspect the invention consists in a stent for the application of gas to a dental arch when made by a method according to any one of the above paragraphs.

In a still further aspect the invention consists in a stent having a shape and configuration such that the stent can be fitted over a dental arch with a space between the stent and the dental arch, the stent having connection means through which a gas can be supplied to the dental arch in a manner such the gas forms an environment about that dental arch.

Preferably the connection point comprises a socket formed on the member providing the stent.

Preferably said socket has a longitudinal aperture therethrough. Preferably said space is approximately 2 millimetres across.

To those skilled in the art to which the invention relates, many changes in construction and widely differing embodiments and applications of the invention will suggest themselves without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. The disclosures and the description herein are purely illustrative and are not intended to be in any sense limiting.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

One preferred form of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which,

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic representation of a pattern representing a dental arch,

Figure 2 shows the step of forming a first layer of material over the pattern of Figure 1 ,

Figure 3 shows a further step in the formation of a stent according to the invention,

Figure 4 is a cross section on AA in Figure 3,

Figure 5 is a plan view of a stent according to the invention,

Figure 6 is an end view of the stent Figure 5, and

Figure 7 is a side elevation on "A" in Figures 5 and 6.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Referring to the drawings a method of forming a stent and/or a stent for use in dental procedures is provided as follows.

Firstly, a pattern 1 is made which replicates or represents a dental arch. Where the pattern 1 replicates a dental arch this can be made by standard dentistry techniques or alternatively the pattern may represent a dental arch by being made to a standard size. In such a situation it is envisaged that a series of patterns would be formed over a range of sizes.

Where a standard range of sizes is made the stent can be formed by using the pattern 1 as a basis for mass production techniques such as the forming of an injection mould so that the stents can be formed by mass production techniques. Ideally the pattern is made a little larger than the intended standard size of dental arch the finished stent is to fit so that a gap is provided about the teeth in use. A material safe to use in the mouth such as silicon rubber can be used as the material from which the stent is formed.

Where a one off non-standard dental arch is to be fitted then an alternative technique can be used. In this embodiment a first layer of settable material 2 is then placed over the pattern 1 and in the preferred form is shaped there on to using any suitable technique to achieve such shaping, such as sucking down the material 2 onto the pattern 1.

The first layer of material 2 is preferably thermo mouldable and settable mouthguard material. This is shown in Figure 2 as a sheet of material but the part shown by pecked line 3 could be omitted if desired. If provided it would ordinarily be pruned from the material once set. An aperture 4 may be provided therein and in other forms further apertures 5 for example could also be provided. The thermo settable mouthguard material which may initially be about 3.5 millimetres thick is trimmed down to a position beyond a position representing the gingival margin. This distance is preferably about 3 millimetres. After the trimming and sucking down the thickness of the first layer of material is substantially 2 millimetres. A layer of separating material is then placed over the first layer and this could be a release layer such as Vaseline or any other suitable material.

A further sheet of material such as thermo settable material or preferably a thermo mouldable mouthguard material, may then be shaped onto the release material, for example by being sucked down or otherwise applied over the first layer. In any event this material must be capable of providing a substantially airtight seal against desirably the gum of the patient. The second layer substantially covers the first layer. The second layer 10 may be sucked down by air removal through the holes 4 or 5 as desired. The principle purpose of the first layer is to allow for a gap about the teeth of the user in use.

The second layer 10 is provided with a connection means for a supply of gas in particular ozone and the connection means may comprise a socket 1 1 formed on the layer with an aperture 12 therethrough. An angle is formed between the longitudinal axis of the aperture 12 and the general plans of the stent, so as to provide comfortable access into the patients mouth, in use, for the ozone line. The second layer which forms the stent with a thinner flange 13 which is more flexible than the remainder of the stent so as to form, and to some extent at least a seal in use against the users gums.

Once set the stent can be removed and placed over the dental arch of a user. The stent will fit relatively closely to the dental arch or material about the dental arch at its edges but has a gap of about 2 millimetres in the region of the teeth.

When a gas such as ozone is applied to the aperture 12 by attaching the ozone supply tube into the socket 11 the ozone will form an environment in the gap between the teeth and the stent and in the area around the gingival margin which has a substantial effect in eliminating or at least reducing bacteria in that region.

Thus it can be seen that at least in the preferred form of the invention a stent and/or a method of forming a stent are provided which has the advantage that gas such as ozone can be applied in a manner such that a environment of that gas is provided about the teeth and gingival margin of a user undergoing the treatment. Further a method is provided for both the treatment of and substantial prevention of dental disease which is the most prevalent disease in the developed world.

Claims

WHAT I CLAIM IS:

1. A method of forming a stent for the delivery of gas to teeth comprising the steps of; forming a pattern replicating or representing a dental arch, coating at least part of the pattern with a layer of material to form said stent, said layer of material being provided with connection means whereby when the stent is in use gas can be supplied to the interior of the stent.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the pattern is coated with a first layer of material prior to being coated with a second layer of material to form the stent.

3. A method as claimed in either one of claim 1 and claim 2 wherein said first layer and said second layer are formed from settable material.

4. A method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein a release material is positioned between said first layer of settable material and said second layer of settable material.

5. A method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein said first layer of settable material extends on to the pattern to a position beyond a position representing the gingival margin.

6. A method as claimed in claim 5 wherein the first layer of settable material extends to a position substantially 3 millimetres beyond a position representing the gingival margin.

7. A method as claimed in either one of claims 5 and claim 6 wherein the thickness of the first layer of material of the sucking down is approximately 2 millimetres.

8. A method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the first layer and the second layer of material are thermo mouldable material.

9. A method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the connection means comprises a socked formed on the second layer of material and aperture through the material of the socket.

10. A method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the first layer of settable material has an aperture through.

11. A stent for the application of gas to a dental arch when made by a method according to any one of the preceding claims.

12. A stent having a shape and configuration such that the stent can be fitted over a dental arch with a space between the stent and the dental arch, the stent having connection means

^' 5 through which a gas can be supplied to the dental arch in a manner such as the gas forms an environment about that dental arch.

13. A stent as claimed. in claim 12 wherein the connection point comprise a socket formed on the member providing the stent.

14. A stent as claimed in claim 13 said socket has a longitudinal aperture therethrough.

10 15. A stent as claimed in any one of claim 12 to 14 wherein said space is approximately 2 millimetres across.