Patent · US Active

Method of simultaneously cleaning and whitening teeth

US8888489B2 · kind B2 · utility

4Cited by
35References
23Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateOct 23, 2012
Grant dateNov 18, 2014
Priority date
Expiry dateOct 23, 2032

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
  • CPC primaryA61N2005/0662
  • WIPO fieldPharmaceuticals
  • WIPO sectorChemistry

Abstract

A tooth cleaning and whitening method applies a light transmitting oxidizing gel to the teeth, after which a hand-held LED light source with a light transmitting lens and a cup forming a chamber having an open end is moved over the teeth so that the cup distributes the gel while the teeth are exposed to light transmitted through the lens. This not only ensures intimate contact of the teeth with the gel, but also maintains a more or less constant spacing between the light source and the tooth surfaces for optimum results. A sealant is then applied to the gel-coated teeth, after which a dental prophylaxis is performed by cleaning and scaling the teeth at the gum line, gingival margins, and crevicular spaces while avoiding excessive disruption of the sealant composition. This simultaneous cleaning and whitening procedure reduces patient time at the dentist compared to separate cleaning and whitening procedures.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.