Tooth bleaching compositions

Abstract

The present invention relates to improved dental compositions and methods for bleaching teeth. More specifically, this invention is directed towards hydrogen peroxide-containing compounds that are maintained at a substantially constant pH range of 6.0-10.0 during the tooth-bleaching procedure in the presence of a calcium chelating agent.

1 . A tooth bleaching composition consisting essentially of 
 hydrogen peroxide, and    a matrix for carrying the hydrogen peroxide, the matrix having a water content greater than 70% by weight, based on the    weight of the composition, 
 a thickening agent, and  
 an alkaline pH adjusting agent,  
 wherein the pH of the composition during the bleaching process is substantially constant within a range of between approximately 6.0 and approximately 10.0.  
   
   
   
       2 . A composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the water content is at least  75 % by weight, based on the weight of the composition.  
   
   
       3 . A composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the matrix is sufficiently pure in order to avoid peroxide destabilization by metal ion contaminants, so as to permit packaging as a one-component system.  
   
   
       4 . A composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the pH of the composition during the bleaching process is substantially constant within a range preferred for use within an oral cavity of between approximately 6.0 and approximately 8.0.  
   
   
       5 . A composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the thickening agent is a high molecular weight crosslinked polyacrylic acid.  
   
   
       6 . A composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the concentration of hydrogen peroxide in the composition is less than 15% by weight of the composition.  
   
   
       7 . A composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the matrix also has 
 a calcium chelating agent.    
   
   
       8 . A composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the matrix also has 
 a stabilizing agent selected from the group consisting of sodium stannate trihydrate, 1-Hydroxyethylidene-1,1-diphosphonic acid, and combinations thereof.    
   
   
       9 . A composition according to  claim 8 , wherein the stabilizing agent may also act as a calcium chelating agent.  
   
   
       10 . A composition according to  claim 8 , wherein the water content is at least 75% by weight, based on the weight of the composition.  
   
   
       11 . A composition according to  claim 8 , wherein the matrix is sufficiently pure in order to avoid peroxide destabilization by metal ion contaminants, so as to permit packaging as a one-component system.  
   
   
       12 . A composition according to  claim 8 , wherein the pH of the composition during the bleaching process is substantially constant within a range preferred for use within an oral cavity of between approximately 6.0 and approximately 8.0.  
   
   
       13 . A composition according to  claim 8 , wherein the thickening agent is a high molecular weight crosslinked polyacrylic acid.  
   
   
       14 . A composition according to  claim 8 , wherein the concentration of hydrogen peroxide in the composition is less than 15% by weight of the composition.  
   
   
       15 . A tooth bleaching composition comprising: 
 hydrogen peroxide, and    a matrix for carrying the hydrogen peroxide, the matrix having a water content of at least 75% by weight, based on the weight    of the composition, 
 a concentration of high molecular weight crosslinked polyacrylic acid of between approximately 2.0% and approximately 5.0% by weight, based on the weight of the composition,  
 an alkaline pH adjusting agent, and  
 a concentration of a stabilizing agent selected from the group consisting of sodium stannate trihydrate, 1-Hydroxyethylidene-1,1-diphosphonic acid, and combinations thereof, of between approximately 0.02% and approximately 0.5% by weight, based on the weight of the composition,  
 wherein the pH of the composition during the bleaching process is substantially constant within a range of between approximately 6.0 and approximately 10.0.  
   
   
   
       16 . A composition according to  claim 15 , wherein the concentration of hydrogen peroxide in the composition is less than 15% by weight of the composition.  
   
   
       17 . A composition according to  claim 15 , wherein the matrix is sufficiently pure in order to avoid peroxide destabilization by metal ion contaminants, so as to permit packaging as a one-component system.  
   
   
       18 . A composition according to  claim 15 , wherein the pH of the composition during the bleaching process is substantially constant within a range preferred for use within an oral cavity of between approximately 6.0 and approximately 8.0.  
   
   
       19 . A composition according to  claim 15 , wherein the matrix also has 
 a concentration of a calcium chelating agent of between approximately 0.02% and approximately 0.4% by weight, based on the weight of the composition.    
   
   
       20 . A composition according to  claim 15 , wherein the stabilizing agent may also act as a calcium chelating agent.