Antimicrobial dental appliances including mouthguards and mouthpieces

Abstract

The present invention provides for a dental appliance, mouthguard and/or divers mouthpiece using an anti-microbial composition that combines the use of an elastomeric polymer composition with micronized or submicron sized particles of metal or organo/inorgano metal complexes. In addition, the use of an anti-microbial composition for use with a diver's air delivery hose to prevent breathing of contaminated air is also described.

1 . A dental appliance including a mouthguard, and/or diver's mouthpiece comprising:
 a substantially rigid core that provides a shape to said dental appliance, extending from a proximal in-mouth end toward a position short of a distal outside end and at least one back portion comprising bitewings;   wherein said dental appliance comprises an elastomeric polymer composition including micronized or submicron sized metal or metal organo or inorgano-complex particles.   
   
   
       2 . The dental appliance of  claim 1 , wherein said metal or metal complexes are comprised of any of the following including; silver, gold, copper, platinum, and/or organo/inorgano complexes of silver, gold, copper, platinum, aluminum oxide, zinc oxide, boron trinitride and the like and wherein said metal or metal oxide may be a colloidal metal. 
   
   
       3 . The dental appliance of  claim 1 , wherein said diver's mouthpiece comprises a passageway with a U-shaped member that forms said mouthpiece with a front portion forming a breathing hole. 
   
   
       4 . The dental appliance of  claim 1 , wherein said elastomeric polymer composition comprises liquid silicone rubbers, other silicone elastomers, fluorinated elastomers, thermoplastic elastomers, polyurethanes, composites of polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene, polypropylene and copolymers of polyethylene and polypropylene, composites including C 60  and wherein said elastomeric polymer composition includes micronized or submicron sized particles of metals or metal complexes and wherein said particles may be added before or during a molding process. 
   
   
       5 . The dental appliance of  claim 1 , wherein said micronized metal is provided in a base of polysynthetic oils or a silicone oil or both in preparation for injection molding. 
   
   
       6 . The dental appliance of  claim 1 , wherein said micronized metal is added directly to one or more parts of silicone rubber prior to injection molding. 
   
   
       7 . The dental appliance of  claim 1 , wherein microorganisms including  Staphylococcus aureus  ATCC 6538 and  Pseudomonas aeruginosa  ATCC 15442 and/or any other bacteria, mold, fungus, or microorganism growth is reduced or eliminated. 
   
   
       8 . A process for making a dental appliance including a mouthguard, and/or diver's mouthpiece comprising:
 forming a substantially rigid core that provides a shape to said dental appliance, extending from a proximal in-mouth end toward a position short of a distal outside end and at least one back portion comprising bitewings;   wherein said dental appliance comprises an elastomeric polymer composition including micronized or submicron sized metal or metal organo or inorgano-complex particles and wherein said metal may be colloidal metal.   
   
   
       9 . The process of  claim 8 , wherein said metal or metal complexes are comprised of any of the following including; silver, gold, copper, platinum, and/or organo/inorgano complexes of silver, gold, copper, platinum, aluminum oxide, zinc oxide, boron trinitride and the like and wherein said metal or metal oxide may be a colloidal metal. 
   
   
       10 . The process of  claim 8 , wherein said diver's mouthpiece comprises a passageway with a U-shaped member that forms said mouthpiece and includes a front portion forming a breathing hole formed during any molding or extrusion operation. 
   
   
       11 . The process of  claim 8 , wherein said elastomeric polymer composition comprises liquid silicone rubbers, other silicone elastomers, fluorinated elastomers, thermoplastic elastomers, polyurethanes, composites of polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene, polypropylene and copolymers of polyethylene and polypropylene, composites including C 60  and wherein said elastomeric polymer composition includes micronized or submicron sized particles of metals or metal complexes and wherein said particles may be added before or during a molding process. 
   
   
       12 . The process of  claim 8 , wherein microorganisms including  Staphylococcus aureus  ATCC 6538 and  Pseudomonas aeruginosa  ATCC 15442 and/or any other bacteria, mold, fungus, or microorganism growth is reduced or eliminated. 
   
   
       13 . An air delivery hose wherein said air delivery hose may be treated, coated or incorporated into an elastomeric resin concentrate with micronized or submicron sized metal or metal organo or inorgano-complex particles and wherein said metal may be a colloidal metal. 
   
   
       14 . A process for making an air delivery hose, as in  claim 13 , wherein said air delivery hose may be treated, coated or incorporated into the elastomeric resin concentrate with micronized or submicron sized metal or metal organo or inorgano-complex particles. 
   
   
       15 . The process as in  claim 13 , wherein said metal or metal complexes are comprised of any of the following including; silver, gold, copper, platinum, and/or organo/inorgano complexes of silver, gold, copper, platinum, aluminum oxide, zinc oxide, boron trinitride and the like and wherein said metal or metal oxide may be a colloidal metal. 
   
   
       16 . The process as in  claim 13 , wherein said elastomeric polymer composition comprises liquid silicone rubbers, other silicone elastomers, fluorinated elastomers, thermoplastic elastomers, polyurethanes, composites of polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene, polypropylene and copolymers of polyethylene and polypropylene, composites including C 60  and wherein said elastomeric polymer composition includes micronized or submicron sized particles of metals or metal complexes and wherein said particles may be added before or during a molding process. 
   
   
       17 . The process as in  claim 13 , wherein said micronized metal is provided in a base of polysynthetic oils or a silicone oil or both in preparation for injection molding. 
   
   
       18 . The process as in  claim 13 , wherein said micronized metal is added directly to one or more parts of silicone rubber prior to injection molding. 
   
   
       19 . The process of  claim 13 , wherein microorganisms including  Staphylococcus aureus  ATCC 6538 and  Pseudomonas aeruginosa  ATCC 15442 and/or any other bacteria, mold, fungus, or microorganism growth is reduced or eliminated.