Teething ring

Abstract

A dental device has a U-shaped carrier with at least one channel for embracing an arch of teeth. The carrier has recessed insets in the channel. Discrete inserts carrying a beneficial agent can fit into the insets and release the agent gradually. When the device is used in a primarily therapeutic application, the inserts may be installed into all or less than all of the insets to form various insert patterns. Thus, different oral regions can be affected by different insert patterns. When the device is used as an athletic mouthguard, temporary blanks may be initially fitted in the insets, while a portion of the mouthguard is softened before an arch of teeth is pressed into the channel to make a custom impression. The inserts that are later installed in the insets possess different physical properties than the carrier and may be positioned and shaped to mechanically buffer teeth of the arch from mechanical shocks as well as release beneficial agents. The inserts may be replaced or refreshed to maintain the beneficial agent, which may be xylitol, remineralizing agents, moisturizing agents, desensitizing agents, flavoring agents, breath fresheners, chemical and biological indicators, nutraceuticals, antibiotics, probiotics, other medications and chemotherapeutics, or other agents.

1 . A dental device comprising:
 a liquid-permeable shell having a shape suitable for chewing or teething; and   a core inside said shell carrying a beneficial agent, said core being adapted to release said agent gradually.   
   
   
       2 . A dental device according to  claim 1 , wherein said core comprises a hydrogel suffused with said beneficial agent. 
   
   
       3 . A dental device according to  claim 2 , wherein said core comprises a matrix encompassing said hydrogel. 
   
   
       4 . A dental device according to  claim 3 , wherein said matrix comprises a plastic mesh. 
   
   
       5 . A dental device according to  claim 1 , wherein said shell comprises a plastic skin with a multiplicity of orifices. 
   
   
       6 . A dental device according to  claim 1 , wherein said device is toroidally shaped. 
   
   
       7 . A dental device according to  claim 1 , wherein said beneficial agent comprises one or more agents selected from the group consisting of xylitol, calcium casein peptone, a remineralizing agent, an antibiotic, a moisturizing agent, a desensitizing agent, a flavoring agent, a breath freshening agent, one or more chemical and biological indicators, a nutraceutical agent, a probiotic, a chemotherapeutic agent, a fluoride containing compound, a chlorhexidine gluconate compound, tetracycline, and a peroxide containing compound. 
   
   
       8 . A dental device according to  claim 1 , wherein said beneficial agent comprises one or more agents selected from the group consisting of chlorhexidine gluconate, tetracycline, oil of clove, one or more peroxide containing compounds, calcium casein peptone, one or more antibiotics, a desensitizing agent, a flavoring agent, a breath freshening agent, a moisturizing agent, xylitol, a remineralizing agent, one or more chemical and biological indicators, a nutraceutical agent, a probiotic, a chemotherapeutic agent, and one or more fluoride containing compounds. 
   
   
       9 . A dental teething device comprising:
 a shell having first and second opposing non-concave surfaces defining an interior region, wherein at least one of the surfaces includes a plurality of orifices configured to permit passage of an agent therethrough;   a core disposed within the interior region of the shell; and   an agent carried by the core adapted to be diffused through the orifices in the shell.   
   
   
       10 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein the shell has the shape of a toroid. 
   
   
       11 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein the orifices are arranged with a density of about 10 to about 1,000 orifices per square inch. 
   
   
       12 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein the shell comprises a plastic skin. 
   
   
       13 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein the skin comprises an EVA polymer. 
   
   
       14 . The device of  claim 13 , wherein the skin has a thickness of about 0.5 mm to about 2.0 mm. 
   
   
       15 . The device of  claim 9 , further comprising a scrim encasing the core. 
   
   
       16 . The device of  claim 15 , wherein the scrim comprises a liquid-permeable fibrous matrix. 
   
   
       17 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein the agent is a substance appropriate for soothing an infant's gums such as oil of clove. 
   
   
       18 . A dental device according to  claim 9 , wherein said beneficial agent comprises one or more agents selected from the group consisting of xylitol, a remineralizing agent, calcium casein peptone, an antibiotic, a moisturizing agent, a desensitizing agent, a flavoring agent, a breath freshening agent, one or more chemical and biological indicators, a nutraceutical agent, a probiotic, a chemotherapeutic agent, a fluoride containing compound, a chlorhexidine gluconate compound, tetracycline, and a peroxide containing compound. 
   
   
       19 . A dental device according to  claim 9 , wherein said beneficial agent comprises one or more agents selected from the group consisting of chlorhexidine gluconate, tetracycline, oil of clove, one or more peroxide containing compounds, calcium casein peptone, one or more antibiotics, a desensitizing agent, a flavoring agent, a breath freshening agent, a moisturizing agent, xylitol, a remineralizing agent, one or more chemical and biological indicators, a nutraceutical agent, a probiotic, a chemotherapeutic agent, and one or more fluoride containing compounds. 
   
   
       20 . The dental device of  claim 9 , wherein the first and second surfaces are symmetrical. 
   
   
       21 . A method of soothing gums of a human, the method comprising:
 providing a dental device comprising a shell having first and second surfaces and a plurality of orifices in at least one of said surfaces, wherein the surfaces are non-concave and the orifices are configured to permit passage of an agent therethrough, a core disposed within the shell, and an agent carried by the core adapted to be diffused through the orifices in the shell;   chewing on the device to deform the core, thereby causing the agent to diffuse through the orifices in the shell.   
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the agent comprises a numbing agent. 
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the agent comprises an analgesic such as oil of cloves.