Other

Safe-t-gard Corporation

Allison J Jacobs

Scott William Jacobs

Stephen Schwendeman

A device useful for delivering a predetermined treatment agent using a non-adhesive carrier for controlled regional release where the relationship between pore size, molecular weight, concentration and the like are predetermined to achieve specific predetermined time and quantity of release. The device includes a mouthguard shaped for extended contact with a substantial portion of the users mouth, such as all of the teeth and gums, for example, so as to provide treatment to a major region of the mouth as opposed to specific topical points of treatment. The mouthguard is held in position by properly fitting it to the patient, such as by softening and molding in situ. The portion of the mouthguard that is in direct contact with the region of treatment is formed from a polymeric material having a network of porous cavities that are sized to incorporate the treatment agent and release that agent over a predetermined period of time. The specific rate of release is controlled by balancing the molecular weight, molecule size, cavity dimensions, and specific properties of the carrying fluid, such as surface tension, solubility and viscosity. Specific preferred treating agents are sodium fluoride for cavity prevention and saliva control agents used during athletic sport participation.

Delivery system

A dual dental tray assembly is provided which includes a pliable resilient outer dental tray using a pre-formed thin inner tray of thermoplastic material that nests inside the pliable outer tray. The two are heated to between 145.degree.-160.degree. F. During this time the inner tray is more formable, allowing for the inner tray to be accurately formed over the patient's teeth. The outer tray also prolongs the time during which the inner tray is moldable. The outer tray also operates as a seal with the gums to create a better vacuum created by the patient's sucking. Thus, the inner tray, once formed and cooled, becomes hard and flexible again and provides a thin hard dental tray as accurate as dental trays produced by dentists in their labs on models. The thinner, hard dental tray can then be used for dental treatments including bleaching, fluoride applications, and other dental operations, including provisional crowns and other dental work. The outer tray is usable for fluoride gel treatments.

Custom dental tray and material

A resilient composition including a thermoplastic material and gas pockets dispersed therein, where the pockets being formed by a blowing agent. A mouthpiece including a resilient thermoplastic material having a quantity of gas pockets dispersed therein. A method of making a mouthpiece achieved by first mixing a predetermined quantity of blowing agent with a resilient thermoplastic material. The mixture is then heated to a predetermined temperature forming gas pockets therein from the decomposition of the blowing agent. The mixture is then ejection molded in a mold to form the mouthpiece. A mouthpiece including a U-shaped base having a U-shaped cross-section. The base including a lower, horizontal floor with upwardly extending inner lingual and outer labial walls and having a posterior section proximate the user's molar teeth and an anterior section proximate the user's canine and incisor teeth. The mouthpiece further including a continuous ridge integral with the base and having an outer horizontal portion disposed on the exterior surface of the outer labial wall of the anterior section and terminating in opposite inner horizontal portions disposed on the interior surface of the horizontal floor of the posterior section. The mouthpiece may be formed from a resilient thermoplastic composition having a quantity of gas pockets dispersed therein.

Growing community of inventors

Bainbridge Island, WA, United States of America

Allison J Jacobs