Methods of tooth bleaching

Abstract

The present invention relates to a tooth whitening strip of material having a shape adapted to fit a user's teeth. Each user has four front teeth, two canine teeth and additional back teeth, such as molars. Each tooth has a front side, a tip, and a back side. The strip of material is of a shape so that the strip will substantially cover the front side of at least the user's front four teeth and two canine teeth. The front sides of additional teeth may be covered. The tooth whitening strip will then fold over the tips and onto the back side of one or more of the front four teeth. However, the strip of material will not cover the tips of the two canine teeth. The strip of material may be of any shape that allows for the canines to protrude. Possible shapes include substantially trapezoidal with or without stair stepped sides or notches, and rectangular with notches, stair stepped sides, or recesses.

1 . A method of bleaching a plurality of adjacent teeth, the teeth having facial and lingual surfaces, comprising: 
 applying a tooth bleaching delivery system to a plurality of adjacent teeth, wherein the tooth bleaching delivery system comprises a flexible strip of material and a tooth bleaching composition having a peroxide active, polyvinylpyrolidone, carboxypolymethylene, a sweetening agent and a flavoring agent, wherein applying the tooth bleaching system comprises: 
 a) applying the strip of material and tooth bleaching composition to the facial surfaces, incisal edge, and lingual surfaces of the plurality of adjacent teeth so that the tooth bleaching composition contacts the facial surfaces of the plurality of adjacent teeth;  
 b) conforming the strip of material to the facial surface and interstitial tooth spaces of a plurality of adjacent teeth;  
 c) and wherein the tooth bleaching delivery system is applied to the facial surfaces of the plurality of adjacent teeth for a sufficient period of time for the peroxide active to act upon the facial surfaces of the plurality of adjacent teeth; and wherein steps (a) and (b) are repeated for about 7 days.  
   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said peroxide is hydrogen peroxide.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the tooth bleaching composition further comprises glycerin.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the tooth bleaching composition further comprises water.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein said tooth bleaching composition comprises from about 0.1% to about 95% water by weight of the total composition.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein said tooth bleaching composition comprises from about 5% to about 90% water by weight of the total composition.  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein said tooth bleaching composition comprises from about 10% to about 80% water by weight of the total composition.  
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the tooth bleaching composition further comprises phosphate.  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said tooth bleaching delivery system is applied for a period of time between about 5 minutes and about 120 minutes.  
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein a fresh strip of material is used for each application of said tooth bleaching composition to said surfaces of said teeth.  
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the tooth bleaching product has a thickness of less than 1 mm.  
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the length of the strip of material is from about 2 cm to about 12 cm.  
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the length of the strip of material is from about 3 cm to about 9 cm.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the length of the strip of material is from about 4 cm to about 6 cm.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the width of the strip of material is from about 0.5 cm to about 4 cm.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the width of the strip of material is from about 1 cm to about 2 cm.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said tooth bleaching composition has a viscosity between about 200 and about 1,000,000 cps.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein said tooth bleaching composition has a viscosity between about 100,000 and about 800,000 cps.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein said tooth bleaching composition has a viscosity between about 400,000 and about 600,000 cps.