Patent Application
20250064566
The present invention generally relates to method and system that enhance oral healthcare. The present invention also relates to the fields of oral hygiene, dentistry, orthodontics and cosmetic dentistry. More particularly, the present invention relates to an apparatus for a type of “string-free” flossing for removing debris from the surfaces of the teeth, between the teeth, and below the gum line. The major function is that of an abrasive. The invention can encompass a type of flexible, polymeric mouth tray that can hold the applied magnetic particle ferrofluid at the area of interest and can manipulate the ferrofluid with an external magnetic field, applied to ferrofluid within a U-shaped mouth trough.
Numerous devices and techniques are available to improve oral hygiene and contribute to aesthetics of the teeth and gums. These include peroxide-based whitening products, manual and electric toothbrushes, water flossers, string floss, dental abrasives, toothpastes and mouthwashes. All these products are limited by their ability to physically contact and mechanically or chemically alter the surfaces they encounter.
Certain types of bacteria are ultimately to blame for cavities and bleeding gums (gum disease) in addition to tooth decay and enamel deterioration. Inadequate cleaning is a common cause of bacterial or plaque buildup on the teeth and gums.
Bacterial biofilms can form in the oral cavity, especially on inert surfaces, such as orthodontic wires, bridges, dental fillings, etc. Bacterial biofilms cause inflammation and immune dysregulation and lead to gingivitis, periodontitis, bone and tooth loss. The present invention consists of an apparatus to treat oral bacterial, fungal and viral pathogens, including those located in places where typical mechanical devices, brushes and floss are unable to penetrate.
It is known that magnetic nano and microscale particles can be engineered with antimicrobial properties, by surface interactions, release of metal ions, reactive oxygen species, and/or antibacterial drug conjugation. The present inventor has determined that the combination of magnetic nanoparticles with an external static, switched or oscillating magnetic field provides an enhanced effect in bacterial biofilm eradication. Nanoparticles are now being used for various human therapies. Examples of nanoparticle use can are shown in US Patent publication: U.S. Pat. Nos. 9,186,317B2, 9,153,637B2 by the present inventor, and US Application 2021/0393815A1 of which the present inventor is a co-inventor. These references are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.
What is still needed are additional human therapies that incorporate nanoparticles in a manner that can benefit the field of oral healthcare. What is needed are new methods, systems and apparatuses that help prevent initial or additional damage to the teeth and gums by effectively cleaning the teeth and gums.
It is a feature of the present embodiments to provide systems and methods to support oral healthcare. For example, embodiments can improve dental hygiene for people suffering from periodontal disease, gingivitis, and complication of orthodontic devices, wires, crows and bridges. A flossing system that can be remotely controlled, and in which the abrasive particles can reach previously unreachable areas of the mouth, are of interest. Such a system would be especially valuable to people with orthodontic wires, devices, bridges, retainers, malocclusion and or clear aligners. These all complicate the removal of debris in certain areas of the oral cavity.
In accordance with an embodiment, tiny, active particles can be applied to teeth and gums and controlled to clean areas that toothbrush bristles and gloss cannot clean. The particles can be effective against common bacterial species that cause human oral diseases.
In accordance with a feature of the embodiments, a stringless oral debris removal system can be provided that includes a U-shaped mouth tray appropriately fitted to a dental ridge and teeth of a patient and having a trough defined by walls corresponding roughly to the height of the teeth and can extend 1 mm to 2 inches above or below the upper or lower gum line of the patient.
In accordance with another feature of the embodiments, the mouth tray can be optically clear thereby enabling penetration of visible, ultraviolet and infrared light, and the trough can be adapted to contain a ferrofluid comprising nanoscale or microscale magnetic particles applied to the teeth and gums of the patient.
In accordance with another feature of the embodiments, a magnet configured to emit a magnetic field to manipulate the ferrofluid mixture within the trough and around the teeth and gumline can be provided with the system.
In accordance with another feature of the embodiments, the mouth tray is made from a flexible material.
In accordance with another feature of the embodiments, the mouth tray can be formed in small, medium and large sizes and can be customized to fit patient upper and lower teeth and extend over the patient gum lines.
In accordance with another feature of the embodiments, a lighting device configured to emit light trough the U-shaped mouth tray and onto the ferrofluid, the teeth and the gums can be provided with the system.
In accordance with another feature of the embodiments, the lighting device can be provided in the form of light emitting diodes integrated within the U-shaped mouth tray.
In accordance with another feature of the embodiments, light emitted from the lighting device can be emitted in a combination of a combination of red (600-750 nm), blue (400-500 nm) and infrared (750-1100 nm) or white light (350-800 nm).
In accordance with another feature of the embodiments, the ferrofluid further can include a whitening ingredient such as carbamide peroxide and or hydrogen peroxide.
In accordance with another feature of the embodiments, the ferrofluid can include magnetic particles coated with a carbohydrate, molecules or polymers for colloidal stability and biofunctionalization.
In accordance with another feature of the embodiments, the ferrofluid can include a coating material including at least one of polyethylene glycol, dextran, alginate, or any hydrocarbon with a terminal carbonyl, carboxyl, or hydroxyl functional group or groups.
In accordance with another feature of the embodiments, the ferrofluid can contain hydroxyapatite nanoscale or microscale particles.
In accordance with another feature of the embodiments, the ferrofluid can contain carbomer.
In accordance with another feature of the embodiments, the ferrofluid can contain a preservative or a detergent such as sodium benzoate, paraben, sodium lauryl sulfate, cocamidopropyl betaine, alpha-tocopherol, or Cocos nucifera.
In accordance with another feature of the embodiments, the magnet can be comprised of iron, iron compounds, Molybdenum, NeFeB, or other magnetic materials.
In accordance with another feature of the embodiments, the magnet can be an electromagnet.
In accordance with another feature of the embodiments, the electromagnet can be configured to produce alternating magnetic fields.
In accordance with another feature of the embodiments, the magnet can include a handle for ergonomic use (e.g., insertion/removal) within the mouth.
In accordance with another feature of the embodiments, the magnetic can have a curved shape to easily connect with the u-shaped trough.
In accordance with another feature of the embodiments, the magnet can have a geometry configured for use with top and bottom mouth trays.
Specifics, details, generalized application, advantages, and summary of the present invention will be described visually via the following detailed description which in encompass optimized embodiments of this invention. The description references to the accompanying figures summarized below:
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The ferrofluid floss 120 treatment mixture can be comprised of nano or microparticles comprising iron, or an iron compound with ferri-, ferro, or superparamagnetic properties and coated with a polymer, carbohydrate, or other molecule in order to avoid agglomeration and to enhance solubility in the carrier fluid. A range of carrier fluids can be used, and they may be hydrophobic, hydrophilic or amphiphilic in nature. The fluid can also contain a whitening agent such as hydrogen peroxide, or in the optimized manifestation; carbamide peroxide. If hydrogen peroxide is used, the optimum concentration should be ≤10% and if carbamide peroxide is used, it can be at a concentration of ≤30%. In the optimized manifestation, the concentration of hydrogen peroxide would not exceed 5% and the concentration of carbamide peroxide would not exceed 15%. The mixture may also contain hydroxyapatite microscale (1 to 100 microns) or nanoscale (0.1 to 100 nm) particles for tooth remineralization. The mixture can also contain an antiseptic or antimicrobial agent or agents.
The optimized manifestation can encompass a mouth tray 110 comprised of a thin polymer, such as those used in clear aligners, as not to significantly shield the static magnetic field. The optimized manifestation can also include patient-specific mouth trays 110 to fit upper or lower teeth, in consideration of the architecture of the arch. The trays which were filled with ferrofluid floss 120 can be filled in such a volume as to cover the teeth and gums without spilling over into the mouth. The tray can fit in such a way that they allow movement of the particles but fit the teeth 210 and gums 215 snugly so as not to reduce mechanical action against adhered debris. The optimized manifestation can maximize ferrofluid contact with the teeth 210 and gums 215.
Referring to
A magnet 130 when used to manipulate the particles can be attached to a handle 140 for ease of use and may be composed of any static magnetic material, such as NdFeB, Fe, Molybdenum, or other materials. In an alternative manifestation, the magnet can be comprised of an electromagnet. The electromagnet can emit alternating magnetic fields to cause manipulation of the ferrofluid mixture around the teeth and gum lines. The electromagnet 130 can also include a handle 140 for ease of use, or the electromagnet can also be incorporated into the mouth tray 110.
The present invention uses magnetic fields in a way of treating oral biofilms that is different than the methods that have been previously disclosed. The present invention utilizes a magnet 130 to activate movement of magnetic particles carried by ferrofluid fluid 120 in a U-shaped mouth trough of the tray 110 to control topical/orally applied magnetic nanoparticles in such a way that they become magnetized, as superparamagnetic nanoparticles are only magnetized in the presence of an external field. This is done so that the nanoparticles do not agglomerate prior to topical application. Ferromagnetic particles, would agglomerate in the tube and in the case of magnetic nanoparticle enhanced toothpaste, could not be colloidally dispersed in the paste or gel, and would not be distributed evenly upon application to the affected area. By activating the magnetic properties within the trough with a magnetic field, the nanoparticles can become magnetized after being applied to the affected area. A common complication of periodontitis is the onset of periodontal bone loss. EM fields can also be used to stimulate bone cell proliferation.
The present invention is a continuation of Provisional Application Ser. No. 63/470,516 entitled “Magnetic Floss”, which was filed on Jun. 2, 2023, and is hereby incorporated by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63470516 | Jun 2023 | US |
