Iontophoretic device and a method of delivery for dental applications

Abstract

An iontophoretic dental device that positions electrodes at buccal and lingual gingiva is described herein. The iontophoretic dental device includes an electrode locating member and electrodes that are attached to the electrode locating member. Further described herein is an iontophoretic dental system for simultaneously positioning electrodes at the buccal and lingual gingiva of a tooth on which dental work is performed. The system includes a coupler, lead wires and an iontophoretic dental device that further includes a clamp and electrodes. The electrodes are operatively attached to the clamp. Also described herein is a method of delivering a medicament to teeth or surrounding oral tissues including placing an iontophoretic dental device on buccal and lingual gingiva, the device including a clamp, and applying current to the electrodes.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An iontophoretic dental device that positions electrodes at buccal and lingual gingiva, comprising:
 an electrode locating member having a U-shape, the electrode locating member having a first arm and a second arm extending from a central location, wherein the electrode locating member is arranged and configured to straddle a target tooth such that the central point is positioned over the target tooth with the first arm and the second arm each having a length that extends from the central location of the electrode locating member to the buccal and lingual gingiva, respectively; and   first and second electrodes, the first electrode coupled to an end of the first arm and the second electrode coupled to an end of the second arm, wherein, in use, the electrodes are positioned on the buccal and lingual gingiva and are arranged and configured to drive a medicament through the buccal and lingual gingiva to a root of the target tooth.   
     
     
         2 . The iontophoretic dental device of  claim 1 , wherein the electrode locating member is a clamp. 
     
     
         3 . The iontophoretic dental device of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 a power source;   a coupler to electrically connect the iontophoretic dental device and the power source; and   lead wires, the lead wires carrying current from the coupler to the electrodes.   
     
     
         4 . The iontophoretic dental device of  claim 3 , wherein the first and second electrodes at the buccal and lingual gingiva are at the same potential. 
     
     
         5 . The iontophoretic dental device of  claim 2 , wherein the clamp is constructed of resilient material. 
     
     
         6 . The iontophoretic dental device of  claim 2 , wherein the clamp includes a biasing member. 
     
     
         7 . The iontophoretic dental device of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second electrodes each comprise:
 a conductive layer;   an electrolyte reservoir; and   a membrane.   
     
     
         8 . The iontophoretic dental device of  claim 7 , wherein the conductive layer is carbon based. 
     
     
         9 . The iontophoretic dental device of  claim 7 , wherein the electrolyte reservoir is solid, semi-solid, gel, or liquid form. 
     
     
         10 . The iontophoretic dental device of  claim 7 , wherein the electrolyte reservoir comprises immobilized ion-exchange resins. 
     
     
         11 . The iontophoretic dental device of  claim 7 , wherein the membrane comprises multiple layers. 
     
     
         12 . The iontophoretic dental device of  claim 11 , wherein the multiple layers comprise cotton fabric and gauze matter. 
     
     
         13 . The iontophoretic dental device of  claim 7 , further comprising a gasket. 
     
     
         14 . An iontophoretic dental system for simultaneously positioning electrodes at the buccal and lingual gingiva of a tooth on which dental work is performed, comprising:
 a coupler;   lead wires; and   an iontophoretic dental device, wherein the iontophoretic dental device comprises:   a clamp having a U-shape, the clamp having a first arm and a second arm extending from a central location, wherein the clamp is arranged and configured to straddle the tooth such that the central point is positioned over the tooth with the first arm and the second arm each having a length that extends from the central point to the buccal and lingual gingiva, respectively; and   a first electrode and a second electrode, wherein the first electrode is coupled to an end of the first arm and the second electrode is coupled to an end of the second arm, whereby in use, the electrodes are positioned on the buccal and lingual gingiva and are arranged and configured to drive a medicament through the buccal and lingual gingiva to a root of the tooth.   
     
     
         15 . The iontophoretic dental system of  claim 14 , further comprising a power source.