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.

1 - 27 . (canceled)  
   
   
       28 . A device for whitening teeth, said device comprising: 
 a brush 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 comprises a plurality of bristles.  
   
   
       31 . The device of  claim 28 , wherein said bleaching compound comprises a compound selected from the group consisting of carbamide peroxide, carbamyl peroxide, sodium percarbonate, perhydrol urea, hydrogen peroxide, and combinations thereof.  
   
   
       32 . The device of  claim 28 , wherein said catalytic activator comprises a compound selected from the group consisting of activated charcoal, platinum, a platinum salt, copper, a copper salt, palladium, a palladium salt, silver, a silver salt, and combinations thereof.  
   
   
       33 . The device of  claim 30 , wherein the bristles include the catalytic activator.  
   
   
       34 . The device of  claim 30 , wherein the catalytic activator is located on a surface of the bristles.  
   
   
       35 . The device of  claim 30 , wherein the catalytic activator is embedded into at least one of the bristles.  
   
   
       36 . A method for whitening teeth, comprising applying to the teeth a composition that is prepared by combining a bleaching agent with a catalytic agent, wherein the composition further comprises a modifier capable of raising the pH of the composition.  
   
   
       37 . The method of  claim 36 , wherein the catalytic agent catalyzes the reaction of a significant portion of the bleaching agent within ten minutes of being combined with the bleaching agent.  
   
   
       38 . The method of  claim 36 , wherein the catalytic agent comprises a compound selected from the group consisting of activated charcoal, platinum, platinum salt, copper, copper salt, palladium, palladium salt, silver, silver salt, and combinations thereof.  
   
   
       39 . The method of  claim 36 , wherein the catalytic agent comprises activated charcoal.  
   
   
       40 . The method of  claim 36 , wherein the bleaching agent comprises a compound selected from the group consisting of carbamide peroxide, carbamyl peroxide, sodium percarbonate, perhydrol urea, and hydrogen peroxide, and combinations thereof.  
   
   
       41 . A composition for whitening teeth, comprising: 
 a bleaching agent;    a catalytic agent; and    a modifier capable of raising the pH of the composition.    
   
   
       42 . The composition of  claim 41 , wherein the catalytic agent comprises a compound selected from the group consisting of activated charcoal, platinum, platinum salt, copper, copper salt, palladium, palladium salt, silver, silver salt, and combinations thereof.  
   
   
       43 . The composition of  claim 41 , wherein the catalytic agent comprises activated charcoal.  
   
   
       44 . The composition of  claim 41 , wherein the bleaching agent comprises a compound selected from the group consisting of carbamide peroxide, carbamyl peroxide, sodium percarbonate, perhydrol urea, and hydrogen peroxide.  
   
   
       45 . A kit, comprising: 
 a first composition comprising a bleaching agent;    a second composition comprising a catalytic agent, where at least one of the first composition or the second composition further comprises a modifier capable of raising the pH of a third composition formed by combining the first composition and the second composition.    
   
   
       46 . The kit of  claim 45 , wherein the first composition is in liquid form.  
   
   
       47 . The kit of  claim 45 , wherein the first composition and the second composition are contained in a single, compartmentalized container.