Device and method for improving oral health
The present invention relates to a method for improving the oral health of a subject by exposing the oral cavity of the subject to a device comprising a light source that emits a therapeutically effective amount of light. The present invention further relates to devices utilized in exposing light to the oral cavity of a subject in the method of the present invention.
1 . A device for improving oral health, comprising:
a dental tray adapted for fitting completely inside an oral cavity, said tray comprising at least one channel; and
at least one light source disposed in said tray;
wherein at least a portion of said channel comprises a light transmissive material for transmitting light from said light source to the oral cavity.
2 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the light source emits a therapeutically effective amount of light in the wavelength range selected from the group consisting of about 350 nm to about 700 nm; about 380 nm to about 520 nm; about 400 nm to about 505 nm and about 430 nm to about 510 nm.
3 . The device of claim 1 wherein said at least one light source is embedded in said tray.
4 . The device of claim 1 wherein said at least one light source comprises organic or polymer light emitting diodes, light emitting chemicals or combinations thereof.
5 . The device of claim 4 wherein said at least one light source comprises at least one layer of organic or polymer light emitting diodes, light emitting chemicals or combinations thereof.
6 . The device of claim 1 further comprises a light gating layer.
7 . The device of claim 6 wherein said gating layer is an opaque layer.
8 . The device of claim 7 wherein said light transmissive layer is less flexible than the light gating layer.
9 . The device of claim 6 wherein said light gating layer is a pressure-sensitive gate adapted for allowing light through a subject's teeth upon exertion of pressure.
10 . The device of claim 7 wherein said opaque gating layer increases in transparency upon application of pressure.
11 . The device of claim 1 further comprising a power source for powering the light source, said power source is disposed within said device.
12 . The device of claim 5 wherein said light emitting chemicals comprises fluorescent, phosphorescent, or chemi-luminescent materials.
13 . The device of claim 1 further comprising a chemical or therapeutic agent disposed in said channel.
14 . The device of claim 13 wherein said chemical or therapeutic agent comprises a soluble polysaccharide polymer.
15 . The device of claim 13 wherein said chemical or therapeutic agent comprises an oxidizing agent, a de-sensitizing agent, a remineralizing agent, an antimicrobial agent, a vitamin, or combinations thereof.
16 . A device for improving oral health, comprising:
a dental tray comprising a light transmissive material adapted for fitting completely inside an oral cavity;
at least one light source disposed in said tray; and
at least one opaque gating formation disposed about said tray, said gating formation is pressure sensitive.
17 . The device of claim 16 wherein said light source gating formation thins upon application of pressure.
18 . The device of claim 16 wherein said gating formation increases in transparency upon application of pressure.
19 . The device of claim 16 wherein said at least one light source comprises organic or polymer light emitting diodes, light emitting chemicals or combinations thereof.
20 . A device for improving oral health, comprising:
a tray formed of a polymeric film material; and
coated on at least one surface of said film material is a soluble polysaccharide polymer in a pattern.
21 . The device of claim 20 wherein said film material comprises a soluble polysaccharide polymer in an alternating pattern.
22 . The device of claim 21 wherein each of said alternating pattern comprises at least one component of a chemical reaction, said chemicals react to generate light.
23 . The device of claim 20 further comprising a therapeutic agent.
24 . The device of claim 22 wherein said film material is over-coated with a layer of moisture permeable and light generating chemical impermeable material.