Stabilized, water-jet, slurry apparatus and method

Abstract

A method for removing dental material is disclosed. The method may include suspending, by a hydrated polymeric material, a quantity of abrasive media. The hydrated polymeric material and suspended abrasive media may then be pressurized. Accordingly, an abrasive stream may be formed by expelling, under pressure, the hydrated polymeric material and suspended abrasive media from a nozzle. The abrasive stream may be precisely applied to a tooth to abrade the enamel or dentin thereof as a drilling instrumentality.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A composition comprising:
 0.05-0.5% by weight of a polymer-based mechanical suspension material;   5-30% by weight of an abrasive media; and   a base;   wherein:
 the base ionizes and uncoils the polymer chains of the polymer-based mechanical suspension material to obtain a neutralized polymer-based mechanical suspension material; and 
 the abrasive media is mechanically suspended by the polymer chains of the neutralized polymer-based mechanical suspension material for at least one month. 
   
     
     
         2 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the polymer-based mechanical suspension material comprises polymerized acrylic acid. 
     
     
         3 . The composition of  claim 2 , wherein the polymerized acrylic acid is present in an amount ranging from about 0.15-0.25% by weight. 
     
     
         4 . The composition of  claim 3 , wherein the polymerized acrylic acid is present in an amount of about 0.2% by weight. 
     
     
         5 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the abrasive media is present in an amount ranging from about 7-13% by weight. 
     
     
         6 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the abrasive media comprises a plurality of particles having an effective diameter in the range of 20-30 microns. 
     
     
         7 . The composition of  claim 6 , wherein the plurality of particles has an effective diameter of 25 microns. 
     
     
         8 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the abrasive media comprises one or more components selected from the group consisting of aluminum oxide, pumice, baking soda, and ilmenite. 
     
     
         9 . The composition of  claim 8 , wherein the abrasive media comprises aluminum oxide. 
     
     
         10 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the abrasive media remains suspended by the polymer chains of the neutralized polymer-based mechanical suspension material for at least six months. 
     
     
         11 . The composition of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more pain reducers, cleaning materials, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         12 . A composition comprising:
 0.05-0.5% by weight of a polymerized acrylic acid;   5-30% by weight of aluminum oxide; and   a base;   wherein:   the base ionizes and uncoils the polymer chains of the polymerized acrylic acid to obtain a neutralized polymerized acrylic acid; and   the aluminum oxide is mechanically suspended by the polymer chains of the neutralized polymerized acrylic acid for at least one month.   
     
     
         13 . The composition of  claim 12 , wherein the polymerized acrylic acid is present in an amount ranging from about 0.15-0.25% by weight. 
     
     
         14 . The composition of  claim 13 , wherein the polymerized acrylic acid is present in an amount of about 0.2% by weight. 
     
     
         15 . The composition of  claim 12 , wherein the aluminum oxide is present in an amount ranging from about 7-13% by weight. 
     
     
         16 . The composition of  claim 12 , wherein the aluminum oxide comprises a plurality of particles having an effective diameter in the range of 20-30 microns. 
     
     
         17 . The composition of  claim 12 , wherein the aluminum oxide remains suspended by the polymer chains of the neutralized polymerized acrylic acid for at least six months. 
     
     
         18 . The composition of  claim 12 , further comprising one or more pain reducers, cleaning materials, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         19 . A kit for cutting dental material, the kit comprising:
 a container containing a cutting composition including:
 0.05-0.5% by weight of a polymerized acrylic acid; 
 5-30% by weight of an abrasive media; and 
 a base; 
 wherein:
 the base ionizes and uncoils the polymer chains of the polymerized acrylic acid to obtain a neutralized polymerized acrylic acid; and 
 the abrasive media is mechanically suspended by the polymer chains of the neutralized polymerized acrylic acid for at least one month; and 
 
   a label, packaging, or combination thereof.   
     
     
         20 . The kit of  claim 19 , wherein the kit is distributed to one or more customers.