Dental treatment devices

Abstract

A non-custom dental treatment device includes a moisture-resistant barrier layer that is flexible so as to conform to a plurality of differently-sized and shaped dental arches during use. The moisture-resistant barrier layer comprised of wax, paraffin wax and/or polyolefin. The dental treatment device also includes a substantially solid dental treatment composition adapted so as to be initially substantially dry to the touch and so as to become sticky and adhesive to dental tissue when moistened. The substantially solid dental treatment composition includes at least one tissue adhesion agent and at least one active agent, such as a dental bleaching agent.

1 . A dental treatment device for use in applying a dental treatment composition to a person's teeth and/or gums, comprising:
 a moisture-resistant barrier layer comprised of at least one moisture-resistant material selected from the group consisting of wax, paraffin wax, and polyolefins; and   a substantially solid dental treatment composition disposed adjacent to the moisture-resistant barrier layer and comprising at least one tissue adhesion agent and at least one active agent, the substantially solid dental treatment composition being substantially dry to the touch or less adhesive prior to being moistened with saliva or water adapted to become more sticky and adhesive when moistened with saliva or water.   
     
     
         2 . A dental treatment device as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the dental treatment device is thin and flexible so as to readily conform to a plurality of differently-sized dental arches corresponding to different people. 
     
     
         3 . A dental treatment device as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the moisture-resistant barrier layer is flexible so as to assume a tray shape when worn over a person's teeth during use. 
     
     
         4 . A dental treatment device as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the moisture-resistant barrier layer has a tray shape prior to being worn over a person's teeth during use. 
     
     
         5 . A dental treatment device as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the moisture-resistant barrier layer comprises paraffin wax. 
     
     
         6 . A dental treatment device as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the moisture-resistant barrier layer comprises a polyolefin. 
     
     
         7 . A dental treatment device as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the moisture-resistant barrier layer further comprises at least one additional material that modifies at least one property of the moisture-resistant barrier layer. 
     
     
         8 . A dental treatment device as recited in  claim 7 , wherein the at least one additional material is selected from the group consisting of plasticizers, flow additives, and fillers. 
     
     
         9 . A dental treatment device as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the at least one active agent comprises a dental bleaching agent. 
     
     
         10 . A dental treatment device as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the at least one tissue adhesion agent is selected from the group consisting of polyvinyl pyrrolidone, carboxypolymethylene, polyethylene oxide, polyacrylic acid polymers, polyacrylic acid copolymers, polyacrylates, polyacrylamides, copolymers of polyacrylic acid and polyacrylamide, PVP-vinyl acetate copolymers, carboxymethylcellulose, carboxypropylcellulose, polysaccharide gums, and proteins. 
     
     
         11 . A method of treating a person's teeth comprising placing a dental treatment device as in  claim 1  over a person's teeth in order for the dental treatment device to wrap around a person's teeth and have a tray shape while worn and provide the dental treatment agent to the person's teeth. 
     
     
         12 . A dental bleaching device for use in applying a dental treatment composition to a person's teeth and/or gums, comprising:
 a moisture-resistant barrier layer comprised of paraffin wax at least one additional material that modifies at least one property of the moisture-resistant barrier layer; and   a substantially solid dental treatment composition disposed adjacent to the moisture-resistant barrier layer and comprising at least one tissue adhesion agent and at least one dental bleaching agent, the substantially solid dental treatment composition being substantially dry to the touch or less adhesive prior to being moistened with saliva or water and adapted to become more sticky and adhesive when moistened with saliva or water.   
     
     
         13 . A dental bleaching device as defined in  claim 12 , wherein the dental treatment device is thin and flexible so as to assume a tray shape and readily conform to a person's teeth during use. 
     
     
         14 . A dental bleaching device as recited in  claim 12 , wherein the at least one additional material is selected from the group consisting of plasticizers, flow additives, and fillers. 
     
     
         15 . A dental bleaching device as recited in  claim 12 , wherein the at least one additional material is a polyolefin. 
     
     
         16 . A method of bleaching a person's teeth comprising placing a dental bleaching device as in  claim 12  over a person's teeth in order for the dental treatment device to wrap around a person's teeth and have a tray shape while worn and provide the dental treatment agent to the person's teeth. 
     
     
         17 . A dental treatment device for use in applying a dental treatment composition to a person's teeth and/or gums, comprising:
 a moisture-resistant barrier layer comprised of at least one moisture-resistant material selected from the group consisting of wax and paraffin wax and being flexible so as to wrap around a person's teeth and assume a tray shape while worn; and   a substantially solid dental treatment composition disposed adjacent to the moisture-resistant barrier layer and comprising at least one tissue adhesion agent and at least one active agent, the substantially solid dental treatment composition being substantially dry to the touch or less adhesive prior to being moistened with saliva or water and adapted to become more sticky and adhesive when moistened with saliva or water.   
     
     
         18 . A dental treatment device as defined in  claim 17 , wherein the at least one active agent is selected from the group consisting of dental bleaching agents, desensitizing agents, remineralizing agents, antimicrobial agents, antiplaque agents, anti-tartar agents, and other medicaments. 
     
     
         19 . A dental treatment device as defined in  claim 17 , wherein the at least one tissue adhesion agent is selected from the group consisting of polyvinyl pyrrolidone, carboxypolymethylene, polyethylene oxide, polyacrylic acid, copolymers of polyacrylic acid, polyacrylate, polyacrylamide, copolymers of polyacrylic acid, PVP-vinyl acetate copolymers, carboxymethylcellulose, carboxypropylcellulose, polysaccharide gums, and proteins. 
     
     
         20 . A dental treatment device as defined in  claim 17 , further comprising a sealed package in which the dental treatment device is contained prior to use.