Peroxide gel compositions

Abstract

The present invention is a formable dental treatment tray utilizing poly(2-ethyl-2-oxazoline) and a gelatinous active. Blending of the active is accomplished by mixing the Poly(2-ethyl-2-oxazoline) with an active ingredient, such as a peroxide like hydrogen peroxide, carbamide peroxide, sodium perborate, or sodium percarbonate, usually also with water or an appropriate organic solvent. Peroxide concentrations in these new gels can reach a 30% concentration of hydrogen peroxide while maintaining a shelf life of six months at room temperature without developing peroxide decomposition. The gels are applied to an appropriate backing and dried to a gelatinous state. In use, the active is hydrated and regains adhesiveness. Then the tray is pressed and formed around a user's dental arch to form the customizable tray. Multiple active ingredients may be used, with or without peroxide, for accomplishing desired treatment regimens.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A dental bleaching device, comprising:
 a strip of backing material, wherein the strip of backing material is flexible and planar such that the strip of backing material has two flat sides;   a gelatinous, non-coalescent, visco-elastic dental composition conjoined to at least a portion of one of the flat sides of the strip of backing material, the dental composition being comprised of a tooth whitening_agent, a solvent, and a thickening agent selected from the set of thickening agents consisting of polyethyloxazoline, polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) and carbomer;   wherein when adhered to a user's dental arch both the dental composition and the backing material flex and conform to the user's dental arch without cracking or breaking.   
     
     
         2 . A dental bleaching device, comprising:
 a strip of backing material, wherein the strip of backing material is flexible and planar such that the strip of backing material has two flat sides;   a gelatinous, non-coalescent, visco-elastic dental composition conjoined to at least a portion of one of the flat sides of the strip of backing material, the dental composition being comprised of a tooth whitening agent, a solvent, and a thickening agent;   wherein when adhered to a user's dental arch both the dental composition and the backing material flex and conform to the user's dental arch without cracking or breaking.   
     
     
         3 . A dental whitening composition, comprising:
 a tooth whitening agent; and   a thickening agent selected from the set of thickening agents consisting of polyethyloxazoline, polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) and carbomer;   wherein the dental whitening composition is a gelatinous, non-coalescent, and visco-elastic substance in the shape of a planar strip such that, when removed from a package, the strip may be applied directly to a user's teeth in a manner that conforms to that individual user's dental arch as the dental composition flexes and conforms to the user's dental arch without cracking or breaking.   
     
     
         4 . A non-fluid dental treatment device comprising the dental whitening composition of  claim 3  and a backing upon which the dental whitening composition is placed. 
     
     
         5 . The dental whitening composition of  claim 3 , the tooth whitening agent being a peroxide. 
     
     
         6 . The dental whitening composition of  claim 3 , further comprising a solvent.