Device And Method For Cleaning Dental Appliances

Abstract

A device for cleaning a dental appliance is disclosed. The device includes a holding container including an upper portion and a lower portion, the holding container adapted to receive at least one dental appliance; an electrolytic cell for generating chlorine dioxide from a chlorine dioxide precursor; and an electrical current supply including a circuit operably connecting the electrical current supply to the electrolytic cell.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A device for cleaning a dental appliance comprising:
 a holding container including an upper portion and a lower portion, the holding container adapted to receive at least one dental appliance;   an electrolytic cell for generating chlorine dioxide from a chlorine dioxide precursor; and   an electrical current supply including a circuit operably connecting the electrical current supply to the electrolytic cell.   
     
     
         2 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the chlorine dioxide precursor is chlorite anion. 
     
     
         3 . The device according to  claim 2 , wherein the chlorite anion is supplied to the electrolytic cell in the form of an aqueous solution. 
     
     
         4 . The device according to  claim 3 , further comprising a fluid container in fluid communication with the holding container, wherein the fluid container includes the electrolytic cell. 
     
     
         5 . The device according to  claim 2 , wherein the fluid container includes an inlet port and an outlet port. 
     
     
         6 . The device according to  claim 2 , further comprising a pump in fluid communication with the holding container and the fluid container. 
     
     
         7 . The device according to  claim 2 , wherein the fluid container includes a removable cartridge containing a supply of a cleaning liquid including a chlorite source. 
     
     
         8 . The device according to  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of cleaning elements disposed on at least one of the upper portion or the lower portion of the holding container. 
     
     
         9 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of cleaning elements is disposed on both the upper portion and the lower portion of the holding container in opposed relation. 
     
     
         10 . The device according to  claim 6 , wherein at least one of the upper portion or the lower portion of the holding container is movable to clean a dental appliance disposed there between. 
     
     
         11 . The device according to  claim 10 , wherein at least one of the upper portion or the lower portion of the holding container is rotatable relative to the other portion. 
     
     
         12 . The device according to  claim 8 , wherein the plurality of cleaning elements includes at least one conductive bristle. 
     
     
         13 . The device according to  claim 12 , wherein the at least one conductive bristle includes an electrically conductive material within a polymer. 
     
     
         14 . A pre-packaged arrangement comprising:
 a cleaning composition including a chlorite source; and   a device for cleaning a dental appliance, the device including a holding container including an upper portion and a lower portion, the holding container adapted to receive at least one dental appliance; an electrolytic cell for generating chlorine dioxide; and an electrical current supply including a circuit operably connecting the electrical current supply to the electrolytic cell;   wherein the cleaning composition and the device for cleaning a dental appliance are arranged relative to each other for distribution together as a single unit.   
     
     
         15 . The pre-packaged arrangement according to  claim 14 , wherein the cleaning composition is selected from the group consisting of an aqueous liquid, a non-aqueous liquid, gel, tablet, dissolving film, and open celled foam. 
     
     
         16 . The pre-packaged arrangement according to  claim 14 , wherein the cleaning composition comprises less than 3% of chlorite anion. 
     
     
         17 . The pre-packaged arrangement according to  claim 14 , wherein the cleaning composition comprises less than 1% of chlorite anion. 
     
     
         18 . The pre-packaged arrangement according to  claim 14 , wherein the cleaning composition further comprises flavorants, whiteners, chelants, surfactants, pH adjusting agents, buffers, bleach catalysts, rheology modifiers, dye/colorants, or optical brighteners.