Accelerated method and instrumentation for whitening teeth

Abstract

The invention provides a composition whitening teeth, using a bleaching compound and a catalytic activator, where the catalytic activator catalyzes the reaction of a significant portion of the bleaching compound within in a short period of time. A method for whitening teeth by providing a bleaching compound, providing a catalytic agent, and combining the bleaching agent with the catalytic agent so that a reaction of a significant portion of the bleaching agent occurs in a short period of time is also disclosed. A device for whitening teeth, consisting of a toothbrush where at least one of the bristles contains a catalytic activator is also provided. The handle of this device has a reservoir for a bleaching compound and a means for dispensing the bleaching compound. Another device for whitening teeth, consisting of a toothbrush with a catalytic activator capable of catalyzing the reaction of a bleaching compound applied to the head of the device, is further provided.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A composition for whitening of teeth, comprising a therapeutically effective amount of a bleaching compound and a catalytic activator, wherein said catalytic activator is capable of catalyzing the reaction of said bleaching compound within ten minutes of contacting said catalytic activator with said bleaching compound.  
     
     
         2 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the concentration of said bleaching compound is from about 3 to 40% by weight.  
     
     
         3 . The composition of  claim 2 , wherein said bleaching compound is selected from the group consisting of carbamide peroxide, carbamyl peroxide, sodium percarbonate, perhydrol urea, and hydrogen peroxide.  
     
     
         4 . The composition of  claim 2 , wherein the concentration of said bleaching compound is from about 3 to 12% by weight.  
     
     
         5 . The composition of  claim 4 , wherein said bleaching compound comprises hydrogen peroxide.  
     
     
         6 . The composition of  claim 2 , wherein the concentration of said bleaching compound is from about 10 to about 40% by weight.  
     
     
         7 . The composition of  claim 6 , wherein said bleaching compound is selected from the group consisting of carbamide peroxide, carbamyl peroxide, sodium percarbonate, and perhydrol urea.  
     
     
         8 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein said catalytic activator is selected from the group consisting of activated charcoal, platinum, a platinum salt, copper, a copper salt, palladium, a palladium salt, silver, and a silver salt.  
     
     
         9 . The composition of  claim 1 , further comprising an abrasive agent.  
     
     
         10 . The composition of  claim 1 , further comprising an agent for administering fluoride.  
     
     
         11 . The composition of  claim 1 , further comprising a gel forming agent.  
     
     
         12 . The composition of  claim 1 , further comprising a palliative ingredient for periodontal tissues.  
     
     
         13 . The composition of  claim 12 , wherein said palliative agent is selected from the group consisting of aloe, eugenol, and vitamin E.  
     
     
         14 . The composition of  claim 1 , further comprising an ingredient to decrease tooth sensitivity.  
     
     
         15 . The composition of  claim 14 , wherein said ingredient to decrease tooth sensitivity is potassium nitrate.  
     
     
         16 . A method for whitening teeth, comprising 
 combining a bleaching compound with a catalytic agent, wherein the catalytic agent catalyzes the reaction of a significant portion of the bleaching agent within ten minutes while in contact with said teeth.    
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the concentration of said bleaching compound is from about 3 to 40% by weight.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein said bleaching compound is selected from the group consisting of carbamide peroxide, carbamyl peroxide, sodium percarbonate, perhydrol urea, and hydrogen peroxide.  
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the concentration of said bleaching compound is from about 3 to 12% by weight.  
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein said bleaching compound comprises hydrogen peroxide.  
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the concentration of said bleaching compound is from about 10 to about 40% by weight.  
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein said bleaching compound is selected from the group consisting of carbamide peroxide, carbamyl peroxide, sodium percarbonate, and perhydrol urea.  
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein said combining is by the addition of water.  
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein said catalytic activator is selected from the group consisting of activated charcoal, platinum, a platinum salt, copper, a copper salt, palladium, a palladium salt, silver, and a silver salt.  
     
     
         25 . A device for whitening teeth, said device comprising 
 a toothbrush comprising a head and a handle, said head having a plurality of bristles, wherein at least one bristle comprises a catalytic activator, and said handle comprising a reservoir for a bleaching compound and a means for dispensing said bleaching compound in close proximity to said bristles.    
     
     
         26 . The device of  claim 25 , wherein said bleaching compound is selected from the group consisting of carbamide peroxide, carbamyl peroxide, sodium percarbonate, perhydrol urea, and hydrogen peroxide.  
     
     
         27 . The device of  claim 25 , wherein said catalytic activator is selected from the group consisting of activated charcoal, platinum, a platinum salt, copper, a copper salt, palladium, a palladium salt, silver, and a silver salt.  
     
     
         28 . A device for whitening teeth, said device comprising; 
 a toothbrush comprising a head and a handle, said head comprising an applicator and a catalytic activator capable of catalyzing the reaction of a bleaching compound applied to said head.    
     
     
         29 . The device of  claim 28 , wherein said head further comprises a retaining means for holding a bleaching agent in solid form.  
     
     
         30 . The device of  claim 28 , wherein said applicator is a plurality of bristles.  
     
     
         31 . The device of  claim 28 , wherein said bleaching compound is selected from the group consisting of carbamide peroxide, carbamyl peroxide, sodium percarbonate, perhydrol urea, and hydrogen peroxide.  
     
     
         32 . The device of  claim 28 , wherein said catalytic activator is selected from the group consisting of activated charcoal, platinum, a platinum salt, copper, a copper salt, palladium, a palladium salt, silver, and a silver salt.