US2006110700A1PendingUtilityA1

Apparatus for simultaneous illumination of teeth

58
Individually held — no corporate assignee on recordPriority: Feb 13, 1998Filed: Aug 5, 2005Published: May 25, 2006
Est. expiryFeb 13, 2018(expired)· nominal 20-yr term from priority
Inventors:Anthony CipollaJohn WarnerMichael A. WilliamsJohn Prey
A61Q 11/00A61C 19/063A61K 8/22A61C 19/066A61C 19/004
58
PatentIndex Score
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Claims

Abstract

An arrangement, for use in whitening a patient's teeth includes an arched surface and an array of light-generating devices, for example, light emitting diodes positioned on the arched surface. The light-generating devices are arranged to form a relatively uniform field of light in a particular range of wavelengths, and further arranged to focus the generated light in an overlapping manner onto a patient's teeth when the mouthpiece is properly positioned relative to the patient's face. The proper positioning is aided by a number of light sources, in the visible range, that shine on the patient's face in a predetermined manner when the mouthpiece is properly positioned. To remove whatever heat is generated at the surface of the patient's teeth in the course of the procedure, the mouthpiece includes air passages between the light emitting devices, and a fan that draws air away from the patient's face.

Claims

exact text as granted — not AI-modified
1 - 50 . (canceled)  
   
   
       51 . A method for whitening a patient's teeth comprising the steps: 
 (a) applying a dental whitening composition to the teeth;    (b) illuminating the teeth with light from a lamp assembly; and    (c) wherein the lamp assembly is maintained in a constant position relative to the teeth by a lamp guide comprising a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the lamp guide is coupled, either directly or indirectly, to the patient, and the second end of the lamp guide is coupled to the lamp assembly.    
   
   
       52 . The method of  claim 51 , further comprising retracting the patient's lips.  
   
   
       53 . The method of  claim 51 , further comprising retracting the patient's lips with a lip retractor.  
   
   
       54 . The method of  claim 51 , wherein the dental whitening composition comprises a two part composition.  
   
   
       55 . The method of  claim 51 , wherein the lamp assembly comprises a lamp head and a power assembly mounted on a light stand comprising an adjustable hinge.  
   
   
       56 . The method of  claim 55 , wherein the lamp assembly is a short arc metal halide lamp.  
   
   
       57 . The method of  claim 55 , wherein the lamp head comprises an IR filter and a UV filter.  
   
   
       58 . The method of  claim 55 , wherein the lamp head further comprises a diffuser filter.  
   
   
       59 . The method of  claim 51 , wherein the lamp assembly comprises a lamp head mounted on a light stand comprising an adjustable hinge.  
   
   
       60 . The method of  claim 59 , wherein the lamp assembly is a short arc lamp.  
   
   
       61 . The method of  claim 59 , wherein the lamp assembly is a metal halide lamp.  
   
   
       62 . The method of  claim 59 , wherein the lamp head comprises an IR filter and a UV filter.  
   
   
       63 . The method of  claim 59 , wherein the lamp head further comprises a filter.  
   
   
       64 . The method of  claim 63 , wherein said filter is a diffuser filter.  
   
   
       65 . The method of  claim 59 , wherein said lamp head further comprises a lens.  
   
   
       66 . A system for tooth bleaching comprising: 
 (a) a bleaching composition comprising an oxidizing agent;    (b) a lamp assembly comprising a light source, a light output aperture and an engagement surface;    (c) a gap regulating device; and    (d) wherein the bleaching composition is configured to be applied on a tooth surface of a patient and the gap regulating device is configured to couple to the patient and to the engagement surface of the lamp assembly to set a distance between the light output aperture and the tooth surface to be bleached.    
   
   
       67 . The system of  claim 66 , wherein the bleaching composition comprises a bleaching gel and an activator.  
   
   
       68 . The system of  claim 66 , wherein the oxidizing agent is hydrogen peroxide.  
   
   
       69 . The system of  claim 67 , wherein the bleaching gel and the activator are separately stored.  
   
   
       70 . The system of  claim 66 , wherein the light source is a lamp comprising mercury gas.  
   
   
       71 . The system of  claim 66 , wherein the gap regulating device comprises a rod.  
   
   
       72 . The system of  claim 66 , further comprising a lip retractor for retracting a patient's lips prior to application of the bleaching composition.  
   
   
       73 . The system of  claim 66 , further comprising a device for retracting a patient's lips prior to application of the bleaching composition.  
   
   
       74 . The system of  claim 66 , wherein the engagement surface on the lamp assembly comprises a bore.  
   
   
       75 . The system of  claim 66 , wherein the gap regulating device comprises a rod and a bite pad.  
   
   
       76 . A system for tooth bleaching comprising: 
 (a) a tooth bleaching composition comprising an oxidizing agent;    (b) a lamp assembly comprising a lamp head and a power supply mounted on a lamp base comprising an adjustable hinge;    (c) a spacer for setting a space between the lamp head and a patient's teeth; and    (d) wherein the tooth bleaching composition is configured to be applied to a tooth surface to be bleached, the lamp assembly is configured to activate the oxidizing agent from the tooth bleaching composition; and the spacer is configured to set a gap between the lamp head and the patient's teeth by coupling to both the patient and the lamp head.    
   
   
       77 . The system of  claim 76 , wherein the tooth bleaching composition comprises a two part composition separately stored.  
   
   
       78 . The system of  claim 77 , wherein the two part composition comprises a bleaching gel comprising hydrogen peroxide and an activator.  
   
   
       79 . The system of  claim 76 , further comprising cotton rolls or gauzes for isolating the tooth surface to be bleached.  
   
   
       80 . The system of  claim 79 , further comprising a lip retractor.  
   
   
       81 . The system of  claim 76 , wherein the lamp assembly is a short arc metal halide lamp.  
   
   
       82 . The system of  claim 81 , wherein the lamp head comprises a UV filter and an IR filter.  
   
   
       83 . The system of  claim 76 , wherein the spacer is coupled to the lamp head by engaging a boss located on the lamp head.  
   
   
       84 . The system of  claim 76 , wherein the spacer is coupled to the patient when the patient bites down on a pad located on an end of the spacer.  
   
   
       85 . The system of  claim 82 , wherein the lamp head further comprises a diffuser filter.  
   
   
       86 . A system for tooth bleaching comprising: 
 (a) a tooth bleaching composition comprising an oxidizing agent;    (b) a lamp assembly comprising a lamp head and a power supply mounted on a lamp comprising an adjustable hinge;    (c) a spacer for setting a space between the lamp head and a patient's teeth; and    (d) wherein the tooth bleaching composition is configured to be applied to a tooth surface to be bleached, the lamp assembly is configured to activate the oxidizing agent from the tooth bleaching composition; and the spacer is configured to set a gap between the lamp head and the patient's teeth by coupling to both the patient and the lamp head; and    (e) wherein the light is activated for a 20 minute cycle and wherein the cycle is repeated two additional times with new bleaching composition applied each time.

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