Intra-oral light therapy apparatuses and methods for their use
In some embodiments, an apparatus comprises a housing, an emitter, and an electronic circuit. The housing is configured to fit within a patient's mouth. The emitter is at least partially encased within the housing. The emitter is configured to emit an effective amount of light to the alveolar soft tissue when the housing is disposed within the mouth. The electronic circuit is operatively coupled to the emitter. The electronic circuit is configured to control the emitter when the housing is disposed within the mouth and the apparatus is in use during orthodontic treatment. The apparatus and its use for regulating tooth movement or maintaining or improving oral tissue health are disclosed herein.
1 . An apparatus, comprising:
a housing configured to fit within a patient's mouth, the housing comprising a flange which forms an upper portion and further defines a first angle with respect to a lower portion, the upper portion being deflectable from the first angle to a second angle which is different from the first angle when the housing is disposed within the patient's mouth;
a first emitter at least partially encased within the flange and configured to be disposed over a buccal side of an alveolus of a tooth of the patient;
a second emitter at least partially encased within the flange;
an extra-oral housing coupled to the housing via a protrusion which supports a position of the extra-oral housing relative to the housing when the housing is disposed within the patient's mouth;
a controller enclosed within the extra-oral housing and in communication with the first emitter and the second emitter; and
an agent for application within the patient's mouth;
wherein the first emitter is configured to emit light sufficient to travel through alveolar mucosa of the patient and reach a lingual side of the alveolus when the first emitter is disposed over the buccal side of the alveolus and the light has a wavelength ranging from about 600 nm to about 1200 nm and an intensity of about 1 mW/cm2 or greater, and
wherein the second emitter is configured to emit a second light having a wavelength which is less than 600 nm such that the wavelength corresponds to an activation of the agent where the second emitter is further configured to emit an effective amount of light to a region within the patient's mouth which in combination with the agent when applied to the same region within the patient's mouth is sufficient to increase a rate of bone deposition and resorption, a rate of tooth movement, and a rate of healing of oral tissue relative to an absence of the agent.
2 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the light traveling through the alveolar mucosa and reaching the lingual side of the alveolus has intensity ranging from about 1 mW/cm2 to about 100 mW/cm2.
3 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein:
the flange is a first flange; and
the housing further comprises a second flange;
a third emitter is at least partially encased within the second flange and configured to be disposed over the lingual side of the alveolus, the second emitter is configured to emit light traveling through the lingual alveolar soft tissue and reaching the buccal side of the alveolus when the second emitter is disposed over the lingual side of the alveolus, the light traveling through the lingual alveolar soft tissue and reaching the buccal side of the alveolus having a wavelength ranging from about 600 nm to about 1200 nm and an intensity of about 1 mW/cm2 or greater.
4 . The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the light traveling through the lingual alveolar soft tissue and reaching the buccal side of the alveolus has an intensity ranging from about 1 mW/cm2 to about 100 mW/cm2.
5 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein
the controller is configured to control the first emitter when the emitter is disposed over the buccal side of the alveolus.
6 . The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein
the controller is configured to control the first emitter when the first emitter is disposed over the buccal side of the alveolus or the second emitter when the third emitter is disposed over the lingual side of the alveolus.
7 . The apparatus of claim 5 , wherein the controller is configured to control:
an operational state of the first emitter,
the intensity of the light traveling through the alveolar mucosa and reaching the lingual side of the alveolus,
the wavelength of the light traveling through the alveolar mucosa and reaching the lingual side of the alveolus; or
a duration of the light traveling through the alveolar mucosa and reaching the lingual side of the alveolus.
8 . The apparatus of claim 6 , wherein the controller is configured to control:
an operational state of the first emitter or the second emitter,
the intensity of the light traveling through the lingual alveolar soft tissue and reaching the buccal side of the alveolus or of the light traveling through the alveolar mucosa and reaching the lingual side of the alveolus,
the wavelength of the light traveling through the lingual alveolar soft tissue and reaching the buccal side of the alveolus or of the light traveling through the alveolar mucosa and reaching the lingual side of the alveolus, or
a duration of the light traveling through the lingual alveolar soft tissue and reaching the buccal side of the alveolus or of the light traveling through the alveolar mucosa and reaching the lingual side of the alveolus.
9 . The apparatus of claim 5 , further comprising:
a photodetector operatively coupled to the controller, the photodetector at least partially encased within the flange and configured to detect light reflecting from the alveolar mucosa.
10 . The apparatus of claim 6 , further comprising:
a photodetector operatively coupled to the controller, the photodetector at least partially encased within the (a) first flange and configured to detect light reflecting from the alveolar mucosa or (b) second flange and configured to detect light reflecting from the lingual alveolar soft tissue.
11 . The apparatus of claim 5 , wherein:
the apparatus is configured to be seated in an upright orientation in a charging base;
the flange is configured to be disposed on the patient's upper jaw when the apparatus is in the upright orientation;
the flange is configured to be disposed on the patient's lower jaw when the apparatus is in an upside down orientation; and
the apparatus further comprises a sensor operatively coupled to the controller, the sensor configured to determine an indication of orientation of the apparatus when the flange is disposed on the patient's upper jaw or lower jaw.
12 . The apparatus of claim 6 , wherein:
the apparatus is configured to be seated in an upright orientation in a charging base;
the first flange and second flange are configured to be disposed on the patient's upper jaw when the apparatus is in the upright orientation;
the first flange and second flange are configured to be disposed on the patient's lower jaw when the apparatus is in an upside down orientation; and
the apparatus further comprises a sensor operatively coupled to the controller, the sensor configured to determine an indication of orientation of the apparatus when the first flange and second flange are disposed on the patient's upper jaw or lower jaw.
13 . The apparatus of claim 11 or 12 , wherein the sensor comprises a gyroscope.
14 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the light traveling through the alveolar mucosa and reaching the lingual side of the alveolus has a wavelength ranging from about 845 nm to about 855 nm.
15 . The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the light traveling through the lingual alveolar soft tissue and reaching the buccal side of the alveolus or the light traveling through the alveolar mucosa and reaching the lingual side of the alveolus has a wavelength ranging from about 845 nm to about 855 nm.
16 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the emitter is not a laser.
17 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first emitter is a light emitting diode.
18 . The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein neither the first emitter nor the second emitter is a laser.
19 . The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the each of the first emitter and the second emitter is a light emitting diode.
20 . An apparatus, comprising:
a housing configured to fit within a patient's mouth, the housing comprising a first flange and a second flange, where at least the first flange forms an upper portion and further defines a first angle with respect to a lower portion, the upper portion being deflectable from the first angle to a second angle which is different from the first angle when the housing is disposed within the patient's mouth;
a first emitter at least partially encased within the first flange and configured to be disposed over a buccal side of an alveolus of a tooth of the patient, the first emitter configured to emit light traveling through the alveolar mucosa and reaching a lingual side of the alveolus when the first emitter is disposed over the buccal side of the alveolus and the light has a first wavelength ranging from about 600 nm to about 1200 nm and a total power density of about 1 mW/cm2 or greater;
a second emitter at least partially encased within the first flange and configured to emit a second light having a second wavelength which is less than 600 nm;
an extra-oral housing coupled to the housing via a protrusion which supports a position of the extra-oral housing relative to the housing when the housing is disposed within the patient's mouth;
a controller enclosed within the extra-oral housing and in communication with the first emitter and the second emitter; and
an agent for application within the patient's mouth;
wherein the second wavelength of the second emitter further corresponds to an activation of the agent whereby the agent when applied to the same region within the patient's mouth is sufficient to increase a rate of bone deposition and resorption, a rate of tooth movement, and a rate of healing of oral tissue relative to an absence of the agent.
21 . The apparatus of claim 20 , wherein the total power density is from about 1 mW/cm2 to about 100 mW/cm2.
22 . The apparatus of claim 20 , wherein
the controller is configured to control the first emitter when the first emitter is disposed over buccal side of the alveolus or the second emitter when the second emitter is disposed over the lingual side of the alveolus.
23 . The apparatus of claim 22 , wherein the controller is configured to control:
an operational state of the first emitter or the second emitter,
the intensity of the light traveling through the lingual alveolar soft tissue and reaching the buccal side of the alveolus or of the light traveling through the alveolar mucosa and reaching the lingual side of the alveolus,
the wavelength of the light traveling through the lingual alveolar soft tissue and reaching the buccal side of the alveolus or of the light traveling through the alveolar mucosa and reaching the lingual side of the alveolus, or
a duration of the light traveling through the lingual alveolar soft tissue and reaching the buccal side of the alveolus or of the light traveling through the alveolar mucosa and reaching the lingual side of the alveolus.
24 . The apparatus of claim 22 , further comprising:
a photodetector operatively coupled to the controller, the photodetector at least partially encased within the (a) first flange and configured to detect light reflecting from the alveolar mucosa or (b) second flange and configured to detect light reflecting from the lingual alveolar soft tissue.
25 . The apparatus of claim 23 , wherein:
the apparatus is configured to be seated in an upright orientation in a charging base;
the first flange and second flange are configured to be disposed on the patient's upper jaw when the apparatus is in the upright orientation;
the first flange and second flange are configured to be disposed on the patient's lower jaw when the apparatus is in an upside down orientation; and
the apparatus further comprises a sensor operatively coupled to the controller, the sensor configured to determine an indication of orientation of the apparatus when the first flange and second flange are disposed on the patient's upper jaw or lower jaw.
26 . The apparatus of claim 25 , wherein the sensor comprises a gyroscope.
27 . The apparatus of claim 20 , wherein the light traveling through the lingual alveolar soft tissue and reaching the buccal side of the alveolus or the light traveling through the alveolar mucosa and reaching the lingual side of the alveolus has a wavelength ranging from about 845 nm to about 855 nm.
28 . The apparatus of claim 20 , wherein neither the first emitter nor the second emitter is a laser.
29 . The apparatus of claim 20 , wherein each of the first emitter and the second emitter is a light emitting diode.
30 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the flange has a surface configured to be within 3 cm of the alveolar mucosa when the emitter is disposed over the buccal side of the alveolus.
31 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the flange has a surface configured to be within 0.1 cm of the alveolar mucosa when the emitter is disposed over the buccal side of the alveolus.
32 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the flange has a surface configured to contact the alveolar mucosa when the emitter is disposed over the buccal side of the alveolus.
33 . The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein:
the first flange has a surface configured to be within 3 cm of the alveolar mucosa when the first emitter is disposed over the buccal side of the alveolus, and
the second flange has a surface configured to be within 3 cm of the lingual alveolar soft tissue when the second emitter is disposed over the lingual side of the alveolus.
34 . The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein:
the first flange has a surface configured to be within 0.1 cm of the alveolar mucosa when the first emitter is disposed over the buccal side of the alveolus, and
the second flange has a surface configured to be within 0.1 cm of the lingual alveolar soft tissue when the second emitter is disposed over the lingual side of the alveolus.
35 . The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein:
the first flange has a surface configured to contact the alveolar mucosa when the first emitter is disposed over the buccal side of the alveolus, and
the second flange has a surface configured to contact the lingual alveolar soft tissue when the second emitter is disposed over the lingual side of the alveolus.
36 . The apparatus of claim 20 , wherein:
the first flange has a surface configured to be within 3 cm of the alveolar mucosa when the first emitter is disposed over the buccal side of the alveolus, and
the second flange has a surface configured to be within 3 cm of the lingual alveolar soft tissue when the second emitter is disposed over the lingual side of the alveolus.
37 . The apparatus of claim 20 , wherein:
the first flange has a surface configured to be within 0.1 cm of the alveolar mucosa when the first emitter is disposed over the buccal side of the alveolus, and
the second flange has a surface configured to be within 0.1 cm of the lingual alveolar soft tissue when the second emitter is disposed over the lingual side of the alveolus.
38 . The apparatus of claim 20 , wherein:
the first flange has a surface configured to contact the alveolar mucosa when the first emitter is disposed over the buccal side of the alveolus, and
the second flange has a surface configured to contact the lingual alveolar soft tissue when the second emitter is disposed over the lingual side of the alveolus.