Process of tooth whitening and apparatus therefor
View Patent ↗A process of whitening a tooth provided by the invention includes the steps of providing a delivery device for mechanical dispensing of a predetermined amount of a whitening composition to an applicator tip; dispensing the amount of whitening composition to the applicator tip; applying the amount of whitening composition disposed on the applicator tip to the tooth to be whitened; and allowing the whitening composition to remain in contact with the tooth for a period of time sufficient to whiten the tooth. Optionally, the process further includes the step of exposing the whitening composition to light. A gum or candy for tooth bleaching is detailed along with methods of use. A device adapted to dispense an amount of a dental whitening composition optionally includes a light source for activating the whitener.
1. A device for whitening teeth, comprising:
a pen-shaped housing having a central axis with proximal and distal ends, the distal end terminating in an applicator tip with a single group of bristles parallel to the axis of the housing;
a reservoir within the housing containing a peroxide-based tooth whitening composition;
a manually operated control on the housing coupled to an indexing mechanism operative to dispense a predetermined amount of the tooth whitening composition to the applicator tip;
a light source disposed on or in the device such that light emitted by the light source impinges on the tooth whitening composition; and
wherein the light source is disposed on a wall of the reservoir.
2. A device for whitening teeth, comprising:
a pen-shaped housing having a central axis with proximal and distal ends, the distal end terminating in an applicator tip with a single group of bristles parallel to the axis of the housing;
a reservoir within the housing containing a peroxide-based tooth whitening composition;
a manually operated control on the housing coupled to an indexing mechanism operative to dispense a predetermined amount of the tooth whitening composition to the applicator tip;
a light source disposed on or in the device such that light emitted by the light source impinges on the tooth whitening composition; and
wherein the light source is disposed on a wall of the applicator tip.
3. A device for whitening teeth, comprising:
a pen-shaped housing having a central axis with proximal and distal ends, the distal end terminating in an applicator tip with a single group of bristles parallel to the axis of the housing;
a reservoir within the housing containing a peroxide-based tooth whitening composition;
a manually operated control on the housing coupled to an indexing mechanism operative to dispense a predetermined amount of the tooth whitening composition to the applicator tip;
a light source disposed on or in the device such that light emitted by the light source impinges on the tooth whitening composition; and
wherein the light source is disposed on a cap, the cap adapted to cover the applicator tip.
4. A device for whitening teeth, comprising:
a pen-shaped housing having a central axis with proximal and distal ends, the distal end terminating in an applicator tip with a single group of bristles parallel to the axis of the housing;
a reservoir within the housing containing a peroxide-based tooth whitening composition;
a manually operated control on the housing coupled to an indexing mechanism operative to dispense a predetermined amount of the tooth whitening composition to the applicator tip;
a light source disposed on or in the device such that light emitted by the light source impinges on the tooth whitening composition; and
wherein the light source is a luminescent material disposed in the reservoir.
5. The device of claim 4 , wherein the luminescent material disposed in the reservoir is a microencapsulated luminescent material.
6. A device for whitening teeth, comprising:
a pen-shaped housing having a central axis with proximal and distal ends, the distal end terminating in an applicator tip with a single group of bristles parallel to the axis of the housing;
a reservoir within the housing containing a peroxide-based tooth whitening composition;
a manually operated control on the housing coupled to an indexing mechanism operative to dispense a predetermined amount of the tooth whitening composition to the applicator tip;
a light source disposed on or in the device such that light emitted by the light source impinges on the tooth whitening composition; and
wherein the light source is a luminescent material disposed in a wall of the reservoir.
7. A device for whitening teeth, comprising:
a pen-shaped housing having a central axis with proximal and distal ends, the distal end terminating in an applicator tip with a single group of bristles parallel to the axis of the housing;
a reservoir within the housing containing a peroxide-based tooth whitening composition;
a manually operated control on the housing coupled to an indexing mechanism operative to dispense a predetermined amount of the tooth whitening composition to the applicator tip;
a light source disposed on or in the device such that light emitted by the light source impinges on the tooth whitening composition; and
wherein the light source is a luminescent material disposed on a surface of a wall of the reservoir.