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 film with at least one notch and a tooth bleaching composition comprising a tooth bleaching active, wherein applying the tooth bleaching system comprises:    (a) applying a first portion of the tooth bleaching delivery system to the facial surfaces of the plurality of adjacent teeth so that the tooth bleaching composition contacts the facial surfaces of the plurality of adjacent teeth;    (b) folding a second portion of the tooth bleaching delivery system about the incisal edges of the plurality of adjacent teeth;    (c) applying the second portion of the tooth bleaching delivery system to at least a portion of the lingual surfaces of one or more of the plurality of adjacent teeth, wherein the tooth bleaching composition is adhesive during use and wherein the tooth bleaching delivery system is applied to the facial and lingual surfaces of the plurality of adjacent teeth for a sufficient period of time for the tooth bleaching active to act upon the facial surfaces of the plurality of adjacent teeth.