Methods of identifying orthodontic adhesives

Abstract

The present invention provides a method of identifying an orthodontic adhesive on a tooth structure, the method including selectively staining a surface including the orthodontic adhesive or the tooth structure. Methods of bonding and debonding an orthodontic appliance to and from a tooth structure are also provided.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The patent or application file contains at least one drawing executed in color. Copies of this patent or patent application publication with color drawing(s) will be provided by the Office upon request and payment of the necessary fee.

FIG. 1 is a color photograph of an adhesive remnant on a tooth that has been stained as described in Example 14.

FIG. 2 is a color photograph of an adhesive remnant on a tooth that has not been stained.

Claims

1. A method of identifying an orthodontic adhesive on a tooth structure, the method comprising selectively staining a surface comprising the orthodontic adhesive or the tooth structure.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein selectively staining provides a stained surface and an unstained or lightly stained surface.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising visually identifying at least a portion of the stained surface as excess orthodontic adhesive.

4. The method of claim 3, further comprising removing the excess orthodontic adhesive.

5. The method of claim 2, further comprising visually identifying at least a portion of the unstained or lightly stained surface as excess orthodontic adhesive.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising removing the excess orthodontic adhesive.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein selectively staining comprises applying an orthodontic disclosing composition comprising a colorant to at least a portion of the orthodontic adhesive and at least a portion of the tooth structure.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the orthodontic adhesive is unhardened.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein the orthodontic adhesive is at least partially hardened.

10. The method of claim 7, wherein the colorant is selected from the group consisting of pigments, food dyes, and combinations thereof.

11. The method of claim 7, wherein the colorant comprises FD&C Blue 1, erythrosin yellowish blend, Rose Bengal, methylene blue, eosin, and combinations thereof.

12. The method of claim 7, wherein the orthodontic disclosing composition further comprises a sensitizer.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the sensitizer is selected from the group consisting of camphorquinone, methylene blue, and combinations thereof.

14. The method of claim 7, wherein the orthodontic disclosing composition further comprises an initiator.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the initiator is selected from the group consisting of diphenyliodonium hexafluorophosphate, diphenyliodonium chloride, diphenyliodonium hexafluoroantimonate, and combinations thereof.

16. The method of claim 7, wherein the orthodontic disclosing composition further comprises an electron-donating compound.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the electron-donating compound is selected from the group consisting of ethyl-4-dimethylaminobenzoate, and ethyl-9,10-dimethoxyanthracene, and combinations thereof.

18. The method of claim 7, wherein the orthodontic disclosing composition is a solution, a dispersion, or a suspension.

19. A method of bonding an orthodontic appliance to a tooth structure, the method comprising: providing an orthodontic appliance having a base for bonding the orthodontic appliance to a tooth structure and an orthodontic adhesive on the base thereof;applying the base of the orthodontic appliance to the tooth structure; andselectively staining a surface comprising the orthodontic adhesive or the tooth structure.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein selectively staining provides a stained surface and an unstained or lightly stained surface.

21. The method of claim 20, further comprising visually identifying at least a portion of the stained surface as excess orthodontic adhesive.

22. The method of claim 21, further comprising removing the excess orthodontic adhesive.

23. The method of claim 20, further comprising visually identifying at least a portion of the unstained or lightly stained surface as excess orthodontic adhesive.

24. The method of claim 23, further comprising removing the excess orthodontic adhesive.

25. The method of claim 19, wherein selectively staining comprises applying an orthodontic disclosing composition comprising a colorant to at least a portion of the orthodontic adhesive and at least a portion of the tooth structure.

26. A method of debonding an orthodontic appliance from a tooth structure, the method comprising: providing an orthodontic appliance having a base for bonding the orthodontic appliance to a tooth structure and an orthodontic adhesive on the base;applying the base of the orthodontic appliance to the tooth structure;hardening the orthodontic adhesive;removing the orthodontic appliance from the tooth structure to provide a tooth structure having a hardened orthodontic adhesive remnant thereon; andselectively staining a surface comprising the orthodontic adhesive remnant or the tooth structure.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein selectively staining provides a stained surface and an unstained or lightly stained surface.

28. The method of claim 27, further comprising visually identifying at least a portion of the stained surface as orthodontic adhesive remnant.

29. The method of claim 28, further comprising removing the orthodontic adhesive remnant.

30. The method of claim 27, further comprising visually identifying at least a portion of the unstained or lightly stained surface as orthodontic adhesive remnant.

31. The method of claim 30, further comprising removing the orthodontic adhesive remnant.

32. The method of claim 26, wherein selectively staining comprises applying an orthodontic disclosing composition comprising a colorant to at least a portion of the orthodontic adhesive remnant and at least a portion of the tooth structure.