Reshapable Device for Fixation at a Dental Site

Abstract

A reshapable retention device for insertion at a dental site and contact with adjacent dental surfaces, for the controlled delivery to the dental site of at least one material having a predetermined intraoral activity. The retention device comprises at least one matrix containing the material. The retention device is adapted for physically affixing at the dental site for at least a predetermined time period correlated to the delivery of a predetermined portion of the at least one matrix to the dental site in a controlled single, bi or multiphase pattern. The retention device comprises a first configuration in which the overall dimensions of the retention device are larger than at least one dimension of the dental site. The first configuration is reshapable to a second configuration in which at least one dimension of the retention device is reduced to enable physically affixing the retention device at the dental site. In the second configuration the retention device comprises a predetermined shape having contours for affixing at the dental surfaces.

1 . A retention device for installation at a dental site, the dental site comprising an insertion space at least partially enclosed by two adjacent facing dental surfaces, and defining an insertion path into the insertion space,
 the retention device comprising an installed configuration including at least a first device part in a first spatial disposition with respect to at least a second device part, wherein in said spatial disposition said first device part is at least one of rolled, bent or folded with respect to said second device part about a respective reference axis generally parallel to the insertion path, and wherein said first device part and said second device part have respective outer-facing surfaces, each said outer-facing surface facing a respective one or another of said dental surfaces when the retention device is installed in the insertion space,   the retention device being configured in said installed configuration for providing controlled delivery to said dental site of at least one material having a predetermined intraoral activity via said outer-facing surfaces when said retention device is installed in the insertion space and in contact with said dental surfaces, said retention device comprising at least one matrix containing said material,   the retention device further comprising a pre-installed configuration, in which said first device part is in a second spatial disposition with respect to said second device part, different from said first spatial disposition, and in which said first device part is correspondingly at least one of unrolled, unbent or unfolded with respect to said second device part about said respective reference axis.   
     
     
         2 . A retention device according to  claim 1 , wherein said reference axis is generally co-extensive with said facing dental surfaces. 
     
     
         3 . A retention device according to  claim 1 , wherein said dental surfaces are comprised on adjacent teeth. 
     
     
         4 . A retention device according to  claim 1 , wherein in said installed configuration, said first device part is generally inclined to said second device part about said reference axis at an acute angle. 
     
     
         5 . A retention device according to  claim 1 , wherein in said installed configuration, said outer-facing surfaces are facing directions generally away from one another. 
     
     
         6 . A retention device according to  claim 1 , wherein in said pre-installed configuration said first device part is in a generally co-planar spatial disposition with respect to said second device part. 
     
     
         7 . A reshapable retention device according to  claim 1 , wherein said retention device is made from a resilient material capable of enabling fixing of the retention device at the dental site. 
     
     
         8 . A retention device according to  claim 1 , wherein said device comprises one of the group consisting of the following bending facilitators at said reference axis:
 (a) an indented, bending line;   (b) a perforated bending line;   (c) a physical indicating mark along the bending line; and   (d) a chemically treated indicating mark along the bending line.   
     
     
         9 . A retention device according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one matrix comprises a hydrophilic polymer such as to enable said retention device to be affixed by swelling in situ by the hydration of said matrix in the oral cavity after accommodation of said retention device at the dental site. 
     
     
         10 . A retention device according to  claim 1 , wherein said retention device is preferably soft for easy interproximal insertion, and preferably provides a cleaning effect which would serve as an alternative or supplement to flossing and releases at least one antimicrobial or cleansing agent and/or at least one remineralizing or mineralizing agent. 
     
     
         11 . A retention device according to  claim 1 , wherein said retention device is one of: substantially biodegradable, self-degradable, substantially resorbable and substantially non-resorbable. 
     
     
         12 . A retention device according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one matrix further comprises any one of an enhancing agent for enhancing the application and release of the active material such as plasticizer, elasticizer, coloring agents, adhering agent, filler, softener, binder and preserving or sterilizing agent or any one of an auxiliary agent such as an antimicrobial agent, anti plaque agent, anti inflammatory agent, antioxidant, humectants, nutrient analgesic or anaesthetic agent, anti calculus agent, cleaning agent, effervescent agent, tooth desensitizing agent, staining agent, hemostatic agent, astringent agent, whitening or bleaching agent, flavoring or sweetening agent, breath freshener, or sensate. 
     
     
         13 . A retention device according to  claim 1 , wherein the material is selected from the group consisting of sodium fluoride, stannous fluoride, stannous hexafluorozirconate, calcium fluoride, difluorosilane, hydrogen fluoride, sodium monofluorophosphate, ytterbium trifluoride, sodium hexafluorosilicate, ammonium fluoride, acidulated phosphate fluoride, an amine fluoride, fluoroahuminosilicate glass and any mixture thereof, or comprises any other suitable fluoridation agent. 
     
     
         14 . A retention device according to  claim 1 , wherein the material is selected from the group consisting of stannous fluoride, alexidine, chlorhexidine digluconate, hexetidine, copper zinc citrate and stannous pyrophosphate, triclosan, cetylpyridinium chloride and halogenated bisphenolic compounds, or comprises any other suitable antimicrobial agent. 
     
     
         15 . A retention device according to  claim 1 , wherein the material is any one of a cleaning agent, a tooth desensitizing agent and a tooth whitening/bleaching agent. 
     
     
         16 . A retention device for installation at a dental site, the dental site comprising an insertion space at least partially enclosed by two adjacent facing dental surfaces, and defining an insertion path into the insertion space,
 the retention device having a V-shaped installed configuration, comprising at least a first device part disposed with respect to at least a second device part about a reference axis to form two arms of said V-shaped installed configuration, wherein said first device part and said second device part have respective outer-facing surfaces, each said outer-facing surface configured for facing a respective one or another of said dental surfaces when the retention device is installed in said insertion space,   the retention device being configured in said installed configuration for providing controlled delivery to said dental site of at least one material having a predetermined intraoral activity via said outer-facing surfaces when said retention device is installed in the insertion space and in contact with said dental surfaces, said retention device comprising at least one matrix containing said material,   the retention device further comprising a non-V-shaped pre-installed configuration, in which said first part is in a second spatial disposition with respect to said second part, different from said first spatial disposition.   
     
     
         17 . A retention device according to  claim 16 , wherein in said installed configuration, said first device part is generally inclined to said second device part about said reference axis at an acute angle. 
     
     
         18 . A retention device according to  claim 16 , wherein in said pre-installed configuration said first device part is in a generally co-planar spatial disposition with respect to said second device part. 
     
     
         19 . A retention device according to  claim 16 , wherein said device comprises one of the group consisting of the following bending facilitators at an apex of said V-shaped installed configuration:
 (a) an indented, bending line;   (b) a perforated bending line;   (c) a physical indicating mark along the bending line; and   (d) a chemically treated indicating mark along the bending line.   
     
     
         20 . A retention device according to  claim 16 , wherein the at least one matrix comprises a hydrophilic polymer such as to enable said retention device to be affixed by swelling in situ by the hydration of said matrix in the oral cavity after accommodation of said retention device at the dental site. 
     
     
         21 . A retention device for installation at a dental site, the dental site comprising an insertion space at least partially enclosed by two adjacent facing dental surfaces, and defining an insertion path into the insertion space,
 the retention device comprising a reference axis generally dividing said device into a first device part and a second device part, each having a respective outer-facing surface configured for facing a respective one or another of said dental surfaces,   the retention device being configured for being installed in said insertion space with each said outer-facing surface in contact with a respective one or another of said dental surfaces, and further configured for providing controlled delivery to said dental site of at least one material having a predetermined intraoral activity via said outer-facing surfaces when said retention device is installed in the insertion space and in contact with said dental surfaces, said retention device comprising at least one matrix containing said material,   the retention device further comprising a bending facilitator associated with said reference axis for facilitating bending or folding said first device part with respect to said second device part at said reference axis to provide an installed configuration.   
     
     
         22 . A retention device according to  claim 21 , wherein in said installed configuration, said first device part is generally inclined to said second device part about said reference axis at an acute angle. 
     
     
         23 . A retention device according to  claim 21 , wherein in said installed configuration, said outer-facing surfaces are facing directions generally away from one another. 
     
     
         24 . A retention device according to  claim 21 , wherein said device further comprises a pre-installed configuration, wherein said first device part is in a generally co-planar spatial disposition with respect to said second device part. 
     
     
         25 . A retention device according to  claim 21 , wherein said bending facilitator comprises any one of:
 (a) an indented, bending line;   (b) a perforated bending line;   (c) a physical indicating mark along the bending line; and   (d) a chemically treated indicating mark along the bending line.   
     
     
         26 . A retention device according to  claim 21 , wherein the at least one matrix comprises a hydrophilic polymer such as to enable said retention device to be affixed by swelling in situ by the hydration of said matrix in the oral cavity after accommodation of said retention device at the dental site.