Antimicrobial dental appliances

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 that is intermixed and is an integral mixture with submicron sized metal averaging less than 0.49 microns wherein said metal is in a base of polysynthetic oils and wherein said integral mixture effectively reduces or eliminates the growth of bacterial organisms 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 such that said mouthguard and/or divers mouthpiece permits controlled antimicrobial action from said dental appliance, mouthguard and/or divers mouthpiece to the mouth of any user.   
   
   
       2 . The dental appliance of  claim 1 , wherein said submicron sized metal is 99.9% pure and is 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 metal or metal oxide and wherein said organo/inorgano complexes include colloidal metals. 
   
   
       3 . The dental appliance of  claim 1 , wherein said dental appliance polymer molded compositions comprise; 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. 
   
   
       4 . The dental appliance of  claim 1 , wherein said micronized metal or said submicron sized metal is provided in said base of polysynthetic oils in combination with an injection moldable elastomeric polymer. 
   
   
       5 . The dental appliance of  claim 1 , wherein said submicronized metal is added directly to one or more parts of injection moldable liquid silicone rubber. 
   
   
       6 . The dental appliance of  claim 1 , wherein other suitable metals or metal organo or inorgano-complex particles are incorporated into the resin concentrate prior to molding, extruding or formation of said dental appliance. 
   
   
       7 . The dental appliance of  claim 1 , wherein said dental appliance effectively reduces or eliminates  Staphylococcus aureus  ATCC 6538 and  Pseudomonas aeruginosa  ATCC 15442. 
   
   
       8 . The dental appliance of  claim 1 , wherein said dental appliance resists the growth of fungus, yeast, viruses and bacteria thereon and wherein said submicron sized particles are colloidal silver particles. 
   
   
       9 . The dental appliance of  claim 1 , wherein said antimicrobial agent is delivered from said dental appliance, mouthguard and/or divers mouthpiece directly into the mouth and over the gums to treat and prevent gum diseases utilizing an anti-microbial and anti-bacterial coating including a silver salt, an enzyme, and/or biguanide by providing said anti-microbial coating and/or anti-bacterial solution into a set of hollow bitewings. 
   
   
       10 . The dental appliance of  claim 1 , wherein said dental appliance does not require sterilization or other extensive cleansing to remove or destroy fungus, yeast, viruses and bacteria, and is used in conjunction with other forms of antimicrobial treatment. 
   
   
       11 . 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 that is intermixed and is an integral mixture with submicron sized metal less than 0.49 microns wherein said metal is in a base of polysynthetic oils and wherein said integral mixture effectively reduces or eliminates the growth of bacterial organisms 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 such that said mouthguard and/or divers mouthpiece permits controlled antimicrobial action from said dental appliance, mouthguard and/or divers mouthpiece to the mouth of any user.   
   
   
       12 . The process of  claim 11 , wherein said submicron sized metal is 99.9% pure and is 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 metal or metal oxide and wherein said organo/inorgano complexes include colloidal metals. 
   
   
       13 . The process of  claim 11 , wherein said dental appliance polymer molded compositions comprise; 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. 
   
   
       14 . The process of  claim 11 , wherein said submicron sized metal is provided in said base of polysynthetic oils in combination with an injection moldable elastomeric polymer. 
   
   
       15 . The process of  claim 11 , wherein said submicronized metal is added directly to one or more parts of injection moldable liquid silicone rubber. 
   
   
       16 . The process of  claim 11 , wherein other suitable metals or metal organo or inorgano-complex particles are incorporated into the resin concentrate prior to molding, extruding or formation of said dental appliance. 
   
   
       17 . The process of  claim 11 , wherein said dental appliance effectively reduces or eliminates  Staphylococcus aureus  ATCC 6538 and  Pseudomonas aeruginosa  ATCC 15442. 
   
   
       18 . The process of  claim 11 , wherein said dental appliance resists the growth of fungus, yeast, viruses and bacteria thereon and wherein said submicron sized particles are colloidal silver particles. 
   
   
       19 . The process of  claim 11 , wherein said antimicrobial agent is delivered from said dental appliance, mouthguard and/or divers mouthpiece directly into the mouth and over the gums to treat and prevent gum diseases utilizing an anti-microbial and anti-bacterial coating including a silver salt, an enzyme, and/or biguanide by providing said anti-microbial coating and/or anti-bacterial solution into a set of hollow bitewings. 
   
   
       20 . The process of  claim 11 , wherein said dental appliance does not require sterilization or other extensive cleansing to remove or destroy fungus, yeast, viruses and bacteria, and is used in conjunction with other forms of antimicrobial treatment.