Device for dental care and whitening
A dental device for exposing teeth to electromagnetic radiation includes a carrier and at least one source of electromagnetic radiation attached to the carrier and oriented so that the electromagnetic radiation is emitted from the source to a surface of a tooth. The dental device may also include a power source internally or externally disposed with respect to the carrier, and may include a circuit for controlling radiation emitted from the source. The dental device may be used for whitening teeth, and dental hygiene in general. Related methods are also disclosed.
1 . A dental device for exposing teeth to electromagnetic radiation, comprising:
a carrier constructed to be applied to at least one tooth, the carrier being configured to accommodate at least one attachment for introduction of a dentifrice into the carrier; and
at least one light source oriented to emit electromagnetic radiation from the light source toward a tooth surface.
2 . The dental device as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the attachment comprises a cartridge and a cartridge channel, the attachment being configured to deliver the dentifrice from the cartridge through the cartridge channel and into the carrier.
3 . The dental device as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the attachment comprises a plurality of attachments.
4 . The dental device as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the carrier is a dental tray.
5 . The dental device as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the carrier is a dental tape.
6 . The dental device as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the light source comprises one or more of a light emitting diode, an optical fiber panel, and an electrochemiluminescent material.
7 . The dental device as set forth in claim 1 , the sensor being configurable by a user.
8 . The dental device as set forth in claim 7 , further comprising a circuit for varying at least one of an intensity, distribution and duration of electromagnetic radiation emitted from the light source.
9 . The dental device as set forth in claim 1 , further comprising a transparent panel disposed over the light source.
10 . The dental device as set forth in claim 1 , further comprising a reflective panel disposed between the light source and the carrier.
11 . The dental device as set forth in claim 1 , further comprising a diffuser panel disposed over the light source.
12 . The dental device as set forth in claim 1 , further comprising a dentifrice, the dentifrice containing an agent having one of more of cleaning, sterilizing and whitening properties.
13 . The dental device as set forth in claim 1 , further comprising a dentifrice, the dentifrice containing an agent that is at least partially activated by the electromagnetic radiation emitted from the light source.
14 . The method as set forth in claim 13 , wherein the dentifrice comprises a peroxy compound and a fluoride.
15 . The dental device as set forth in claim 1 , further comprising a dentifrice, wherein the dentifrice comprises an anti-carries agent.
16 . The dental device as set forth in claim 1 , further comprising a dentifrice, wherein the dentifrice comprises one or more of a peroxy compound, an oxidoreductase agent, an antibacterial agent, an anti-carries agent, an anti-plaque agent or plaque control activator, an anti-tartar agent, a desensitizing agent, an etching agent, a photosensitizer or photodynamic therapy photosensitizer, and a whitening agent.
17 . A dental device for exposing teeth to electromagnetic radiation, comprising:
a carrier constructed to be applied to at least one tooth, the carrier being configured to accommodate at least one attachment for aspiration of a dentifrice from the carrier; and
at least one light source oriented to emit electromagnetic radiation from the light source toward a tooth surface.
18 . The dental device as set forth in claim 17 , wherein the attachment comprises a aspirator and an aspirator channel, the attachment being configured to remove the dentifrice from the carrier and through the aspirator channel.
19 . The dental device as set forth in claim 17 , wherein the attachment comprises a plurality of attachments.
20 . The dental device as set forth in claim 17 , wherein the carrier is a dental tray.
21 . The dental device as set forth in claim 17 , wherein the carrier is a dental tape.
22 . The dental device as set forth in claim 17 , wherein the light source comprises one or more of a light emitting diode, an optical fiber panel, and an electrochemiluminescent material.
23 . The dental device as set forth in claim 17 , the sensor being configurable by a user.
24 . The dental device as set forth in claim 23 , further comprising a circuit for varying at least one of an intensity, distribution and duration of electromagnetic radiation emitted from the light source.
25 . The dental device as set forth in claim 17 , further comprising a transparent panel disposed over the light source.
26 . The dental device as set forth in claim 17 , further comprising a reflective panel disposed between the light source and the carrier.
27 . The dental device as set forth in claim 17 , further comprising a diffuser panel disposed over the light source.
28 . The dental device as set forth in claim 17 , further comprising a dentifrice, the dentifrice containing an agent having one of more of cleaning, sterilizing and whitening properties.
29 . The dental device as set forth in claim 17 , further comprising a dentifrice, the dentifrice containing an agent that is at least partially activated by the electromagnetic radiation emitted from the light source.
30 . The method as set forth in claim 29 , wherein the dentifrice comprises a peroxy compound and a fluoride.
31 . The dental device as set forth in claim 17 , further comprising a dentifrice, wherein the dentifrice comprises an anti-carries agent.
32 . The dental device as set forth in claim 17 , further comprising a dentifrice, wherein the dentifrice comprises one or more of a peroxy compound, an oxidoreductase agent, an antibacterial agent, an anti-carries agent, an anti-plaque agent or plaque control activator, an anti-tartar agent, a desensitizing agent, an etching agent, a photosensitizer or photodynamic therapy photosensitizer, and a whitening agent.