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WO2000009030A1 - Dental treatment methods - Google Patents

Dental treatment methods Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2000009030A1
WO2000009030A1 PCT/US1999/017879 US9917879W WO0009030A1 WO 2000009030 A1 WO2000009030 A1 WO 2000009030A1 US 9917879 W US9917879 W US 9917879W WO 0009030 A1 WO0009030 A1 WO 0009030A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
dental
teeth
boston
enamel
tooth
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Application number
PCT/US1999/017879
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Michail Lytinas
Original Assignee
Michail Lytinas
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Michail Lytinas filed Critical Michail Lytinas
Priority to AU53420/99A priority Critical patent/AU5342099A/en
Priority to CA002310818A priority patent/CA2310818A1/en
Priority to EP99939061A priority patent/EP1027007A4/en
Publication of WO2000009030A1 publication Critical patent/WO2000009030A1/en

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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61C—DENTISTRY; APPARATUS OR METHODS FOR ORAL OR DENTAL HYGIENE
    • A61C5/00—Filling or capping teeth

Definitions

  • the first embodiment of the present invention relates to a teeth-coating method that protects teeth from caries and periodontal diseases along with giving color to them.
  • the method includes three steps: create space into the teeth by etching them, apply the protecting and coloring substances and sealing of the teeth (optional).
  • the protection is due to the blocking of the dental enamel minerals that exit from teeth in order to balance the pH of the tooth environment (anti- caries) and due to the low surface tension that these substances create in the enamel surface which make the enamel practically uncollonizable by the bacteria (anti-periodontal diseases).
  • the coloring is due to the colors that these substances can have. By applying these substances, the teeth are practically painted in a desired color, at the same time that they are protected.
  • the second embodiment of the present invention relates to the implantation of a material in the outer layer of the tooth enamel or dentin or cementum and involves an implantable material, polymer or ceramic, fixed in place by use of a dental laser or a flame.
  • This method also includes three steps: the dental tissue is etched and dried, the material is applied into the tissue, the laser beam or the flame melts the material into the tissue and finally the irradiated spot is air dried.
  • This method protects the teeth from dental caries and periodontal diseases, paints the teeth at a desired shade and the implantable material can be used as a filling material itself.
  • the protection of the teeth from caries is due to the blocking of the dental minerals that exit the tooth in order to balance the pH of the tooth environment.
  • the protection from periodontal diseases is due to the low surface tension that the implantable materials create in the enamel surface which make the enamel practically uncolonizable to the bacteria.
  • the painting of the teeth is due to the shades that the implantable materials have and can be used to give the teeth a desired tint.
  • a material with properties similar to the enamel or dentin or cementum can be used as a filling material itself in dental cavities.
  • the shade of the teeth is a very important esthetic factor. Liquids like coffee and cola, use of tetracycline in pregnancy and in early childhood, aging, endodontic treatment and many other staining factors darken the teeth. To this problem, dental bleaching gives an answer. This technique, though, has several defects. Rebound of the shade, sensitivity of the tooth, existing bleaching materials do not bleach composite restorations or, in some cases they have no results at all.
  • the interface between the restorative material and the tooth is a well studied field. Many compounds like composites, ceramics or even amalgam are in use today having the same problems: the microleakage and the wear of the restoration. These problems arise from the difference of the properties between the tooth tissues and the restorative materials. Different coefficient of linear thermal expansion, different hardness, different tear strength are some of the most important factors that lead the restoration to failure.
  • the co-operation with the patient includes oral hygiene for the plaque control (brushing, flossing, fluoride rinses, gels) and dietary control. Sometimes it is necessary to change the whole nutritional habits of a certain population.
  • the scientifically based intervention in oral health submits plaque control, fluoridation of the water, dental-induced application of fluoride and sealants for the enhancement of the enamel.
  • Fluoride prevents dental caries in two ways:
  • Oral hygiene prevents dental caries and periodontal diseases by removing the dental plaque.
  • Sealants have used to prevent pit and fissures caries in children.
  • the preventive value of sealant have been thoroughly examined and proved.
  • the problem, though, of caries and periodontal diseases still exists, especially in adult population.
  • the present invention eliminates all these problems because the protective substance is embedded into the teeth and sealed there. It changes the environmental conditions by making the enamel practically unsoluble to the bacteria acids (blocking the enamel minerals) and making the colonization of the teeth nearly impossible (low surface tension).
  • the present invention is a teeth-coating method that protects teeth from caries and periodontal diseases and at the same time paints the teeth. There are three steps:
  • Etching of the teeth There are already known etching techniques that dentists use in today's dentistry. Etching gels or etching liquids including phosphoric and citric acids or others that can be easily applied to the teeth. Laser induced etching can be also used with various types of laser beams.
  • the teeth are all over etched in all their surfaces especially the more sensitive ones like interproxLmal and in pits and fissures. If there is periodontitis involved in a certain tooth, even cementum must be etched in order to be later coated and protected.
  • the depth of the etching is closely related to the penetration ability of the application technique (step #2) and the penetration ability of the substance that will be used in the second step. That depth varies from a few microns to half a millimeter.
  • This substance can be a polymer or a salt that contains fluoride or metals.
  • the application technique is electrophoresis, spraying or just application of the substance to the teeth.
  • the application technique is related to the nature of the substance, i.e. to the penetration ability of the specific substance into the enamel. If a substance can give a polar solution, electrophoresis is the best application technique. If a substance can be sprayed, spraying is the best solution. Every technique is accepted if can result in a minimum penetration into the enamel. After the application of the particular substance, a second light etching is needed, in order to create some space for the sealing. This step is not necessary if there is space left. In case the used substance has sealing or glazing characteristics the following step is not necessary.
  • the protective substances may advantageously also have color additives, so that their application into the teeth leads to the cosmetic painting of the teeth.
  • Various types of white color or other colors can be used to add a new tint to the teeth.
  • Today's whitening methods are based in the hydroxy peroxide that oxidizes the enamel minerals resulting in the bleaching of the teeth. This bleaching method is not sufficient because the teeth turn dark again in a few weeks, due to the color of the coffee, the food, or the cigarette.
  • the present invention is not based on the oxidation of the enamel minerals but practically paints the tooth in the desired color.
  • the same substances that are used for the protection of the teeth can be used to give a desired color to the teeth.
  • the new color lasts longer than the simple bleaching because the discoloration of the food and the drinks cannot be attached to the teeth due to the newly formed low surface tension.
  • the second preferred embodiment of the present invention relates to the implantation of a thermoplastic polymer or a ceramic into the outer layer of the dental enamel, dentin or cementum. This method includes three steps:
  • the dental tissue is etched and dried.
  • the part of the tooth that is etched depends on the application. For caries and periodontal diseases protection, the whole tooth must be etched especially interproximally and in pits and fissures.
  • the etched space relies on the esthetic ideal, because the etched space will accept the desired shade.
  • the etched part is defined by the margins of the restoration.
  • the drying of the etched tooth is performed after the etching and can be done by air or a lower wattage laser beam.
  • the application of the specific material for the specific application is performed by air spraying the material into the etched dental tissue.
  • the material must be in fine powder so that it can permeate the etched tooth especially between the hydroxyapatite rods.
  • the proper laser beam adjusted in the proper settings for every application, scans the tooth and melts the material instantaneously into the tooth. Right after the melting, the lased part of the tooth is air dried. The flame must reach the melting point of each material and must not damage the material or the tissue from overheating.
  • the implanted material blocks the exit of the dental minerals from the enamel and especially the intraprismatic space of the enamel -anti caries protection;
  • the implanted material has very high chemical resistance and creates a very low surface tension to the tooth tissues which make the tooth uncolonizable to the bacteria -anti periodontal diseases protection;
  • the implanted materials have a broad range in colors and can be used to give the teeth the desired shade-painting method
  • the implanted material creates an alloy with the tooth tissues as it is co-melted with them, making the restoration, a part of the tooth -restorative material.
  • the implantable material is a polymer or a ceramic that can be melted into the tooth.
  • the polymers are preferable because of the excellent chemical resistance and the low surface tension that create to the tooth enamel, making it uncolonizable to bacteria.
  • the polymers are preferable again because of the versatility of their use and the wide shade range that they have.
  • the ceramics are preferable because of the non-existence of microleakage -due to the co-melting of the ceramic and the tissue- and the vicinity of properties between dental tissues and ceramics.
  • the laser beam must be adjusted to the properties of every dental tissue to which it refers.
  • the wavelength of the laser must be the same that every dental tissue absorbs (i.e., 9.3 - 9.6 ⁇ m for the enamel or 6-7.5 ⁇ m for the dentin). This fact gives the dentist the opportunity to heat the dental tissue to that point where each material melts.
  • the specific wavelength which every dental tissue fully absorbs makes that specific tissue unable to transmit the laser wave deeper into the tooth and consequently hurt the pulp of the tooth.
  • Every dental tissue has a specific thermal damage envelope.
  • the melting of the implantable material -polymer or ceramic- must coordinate with this envelope. That means that the melting of the material must happen instantaneously in order to avoid the damage of the tissue which can arise from prolonged time of irradiation.
  • the laser beam can be either pulsed or continuous. That depends on the application.
  • the pulsed mode is preferable because it gives the tooth time to coo, especially in the restorative application.
  • continuous mode can be used because of the low wattage of the laser.
  • the flame must reach the melting point of each material and must not char or damage the implantable material or the tissue.
  • the first preferred embodiment of the present invention is a teeth-coating method that protects teeth from dental caries and periodontal diseases and optionally also paints teeth at a desired color.
  • This coating method consists of the following steps:
  • etching the teeth for example by acid, laser, or other methods available to dentists;
  • the etching of the teeth can be performed by the already known techniques, e.g., acid or laser induced.
  • the etching step is essential because there must be enough space for the second step, the application of the protective substances.
  • the entire exposed surface of the teeth must be etched, in order to provide adequate protection.
  • Another etching procedure that can be employed herein is the "air abrasion" option.
  • etching commonly employed materials include phosphoric acid, maleic acid, citric acid, pyruvic acid, and the like.
  • laser etching common lasers used are the C0 2 , Nd/Yag, Ar:F and others.
  • known techniques are used for an overall etching, at a sufficient depth that will accommodate the protective substances and any optional colorants. Special care should also be given to those places that are more prone to develop caries like interproximately and in pits and fissures, or in the places that already have or are more prone to develop periodontitis (in some cases even cementum must be protected).
  • the etching depth is closely related to the penetration ability and the application technique of the protective substances which will be applied after the etching step.
  • the quality of the tooth enamel is another factor, which will vary on a patient by patient basis. Usually, an etching depth of about 50 microns ( ⁇ ) is adequate for most aspects of the present invention.
  • the application of the protective substance (and optional coloring substances) can be performed by various techniques depending on the nature of the substance used. Electrophoresis, spraying, or any other technique that results in the penetration of the substance into the enamel. This penetration can vary from a few microns to half a millimeter depending on the etching technique that is previously used and the penetration ability that every substance has. The total depth of the penetration is closely related to the protection degree that every substance has. More protective characteristics mean less depth and vice versa.
  • Commonly employed protective substances include the water soluble polymers (xanthan and others), other polymers, salts (e.g., ZnF, CaF, NaF and others), oxides (ZrO 2 , TiO 2 and others), cellulose products (cellulose acetate and others), proteins, polyurethane solid coatings, composites (Bisphenol A-Glycidyl Methacrylate and others), resins (Bis-GMA and others).
  • the final step is the sealing of the teeth. This step is necessary when protective substances with no sealing characteristics were previously used, and not necessary in case of protective substances with self-sealing characteristics.
  • the sealing materials generally require some space in order to be applied, so if the protective (and optional colorant) substance has filled every space in the teeth, a second light etching will be required before the sealing.
  • the sealing can be curable, like the already known glazes in dentistry or not.
  • the sealing must hermetically seal the tooth's surface.
  • One commonly employed sealer is available under the brand name "Fortify.” Other sealers are also known and commercially available.
  • thermoplastic polymer or a meltable ceramic material is implanted into the tooth.
  • the implantable polymer or ceramic in fine powder, is air sprayed into the acid etched and laser dried tooth.
  • a specific laser or a flame adjusted in the proper settings, scans the tooth and instantaneously melts the polymer or the ceramic.
  • the application ends with the air drying of the lased part of the tooth right after the melting.
  • the etching of the dental enamel, dentin or cementum is performed by acid or laser. Already used etching acids like phosphoric acid, maleic acid, citric acid, pyruvic acid can be used for this step.
  • the laser etching can also be used, although not preferably, because of the melting that creates to the dental tissues. After the etching the etched dental tissue is dried by air or by laser. The laser is preferable because it does not create the piston phenomenon. In this case the air that flows into the intraprismatic area cannot reach and dry the bottom part of the tags because of the existing amount of air that is already pressed there in a higher pressure than the pressure of the air spray.
  • the drying laser follows the same rules with the melting laser in a lower wattage.
  • the application of the implantable polymer or ceramic is performed by air spraying the material into the etched part of the tooth.
  • the polymer or the ceramic is in fine powder so that it can permeate the tooth and rest into the tooth, especially between the rods of the apatite.
  • the polymers that can be used must be thermoplastic in order to be melted using the laser or the flame.
  • the melting point of the polymers and the ceramics must not exceed the melting point of the dental tissue that will be implanted in.
  • the maximum melting point that any implantable material can have is the melting point of the dental tissue that will be implanted in.
  • the amount of the dental tissue that is removed from the etching corresponds to the amount of the material that is deposited and the result after the laser irradiation is an alloy of dental tissue and implanted material (ceramic or special polymer) that has the same dimensions with the part of the tooth where the application took place.
  • the laser or the flame is used actually to instantaneously heat the dental tissue or the implantable material (depends on the application) to a specific point where the melting point of the implantable material stands.
  • the flame must not exceed the melting point of the implantable material.
  • the laser -preferably used for restorative reasons- follows the thermal damage envelope of every dental tissue that will be used on.
  • the wavelength of the laser that will be applied in any dental tissue must be fully absorbed by the specific dental tissue so that the laser energy is not transmitted into the pulp of the tooth.
  • the wavelength that is fully absorbed by the enamel is 9.3-9.6 ⁇ m and can be delivered by a CQ dental laser.
  • the wattage of the laser relates to the energy that the implantable material needs to be melted into the dental tissue or maximum needs the dental tissue along with the ceramic or the polymer to be melted together.
  • the mode of the laser - continuous or pulsed- depends on the implantable materials and the thermal relaxation time of every dental tissue. For laser drying, continuous mode is preferable because the wattage is very low. For laser melting, pulsed mode is preferable because it gives the tooth time to cool.
  • the spot diameter of the laser beam or the flame plays an important role in the amount of energy that is deposited into the dental tissue and can vary from 0.1 mm (for pits and fissures) to 1.5 mm for the wider areas of the tooth.
  • the drying of the melted material into the tooth is performed by air spraying.
  • an air spray follows to cool down the tooth area that has accepted the implantation. This cooling down turns -progressively- the temperature of the irradiated spot back to the normal level.
  • thermoplastic polymers that can be used in this invention are all the polymers that can be melted by a laser or a flame and their melting point does not exceed the melting point of the dental tissue that will receive this implantation.
  • the ceramics follow the same rule. Every ceramic compound can be used if it can be melted by a laser or a flame and its melting point does not exceed the melting point of the dental tissue that will receive the implantation.
  • Clark MM Album MM.
  • Lloyd RW Preventive dentistry and the family physician. [Review] [30 refs] American Family Physician. 53(2):619-26, 631-2, 1996 Feb 1. Health Sciences Library (Boston). ⁇ , ⁇ n , ft O 00/09030
  • Kanellis MJ. Warren JJ. Levy SM Comparison of air abrasion versus acid etch sealant techniques: six-month retention. Pediatric Dentistry. 19(4):258-61, 1997 May-Jun. Health Sciences Library (Boston).
  • Roeder LB Berry EA 3rd. You C. Powers JM. Bond strength of composite to air-abraded enamel and dentin. Operative Dentistry. 20(5): 186-90, 1995 Sep- Oct. Health Sciences Library (Boston). 16. Berry EA 3rd. Ward M. Bond strength of resin composite to air-abraded enamel. Quintessence International. 26(8):559-62, 1995 Aug. Health Sciences Library (Boston).
  • A. Buonocore MG A simple method of increasing the adhesion of acrylic filling materials to enamel surfaces. J. Dent. Res 1955; 34:849-853.
  • Escalloy PP stress crack resist
  • thermoplastic foam ComAlloy Foraflon PVDF Atochem
  • HDPE HiVal polyethylene
  • Hostalen PP polypropylene Hoechst-Celanese
  • Triax polycarbonate/ABS ANS/ Nylon Bayer

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  • Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery (AREA)
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Abstract

Disclosed are two methods for coating teeth so as to protect the tooth surfaces from caries and periodontal diseases and optionally paints teeth at a desired color. The anti-caries protection is due to the blocking of the enamel minerals that exit the enamel in order to balance the acidic environment that is created by the bacteria acids. The periodontal diseases protection is due to the low surface tension that is created after the application of specific substances on the enamel, i.e., makes the enamel more slippery. The painting effect comes from the colors that the applied substances have. One embodiment includes three steps: etching of the teeth, application of the protective and painting substance and sealing of the teeth (optional). Another embodiment relates to the implantation of a material in the outer layer of the tooth enamel or dentin or cementum and involves an implantable material, polymer or ceramic, fixed in place by use of a dental laser or a flame. This method also includes three steps: the dental tissue is etched and dried, the material is applied into the tissue, the laser beam or the flame melts the material into the tissue and finally the irradiated spot is air dried.

Description

DENTAL TREATMENT METHODS
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Two related methods of treating the teeth are presented herein. The first embodiment of the present invention relates to a teeth-coating method that protects teeth from caries and periodontal diseases along with giving color to them. The method includes three steps: create space into the teeth by etching them, apply the protecting and coloring substances and sealing of the teeth (optional). The protection is due to the blocking of the dental enamel minerals that exit from teeth in order to balance the pH of the tooth environment (anti- caries) and due to the low surface tension that these substances create in the enamel surface which make the enamel practically uncollonizable by the bacteria (anti-periodontal diseases). The coloring is due to the colors that these substances can have. By applying these substances, the teeth are practically painted in a desired color, at the same time that they are protected.
The second embodiment of the present invention relates to the implantation of a material in the outer layer of the tooth enamel or dentin or cementum and involves an implantable material, polymer or ceramic, fixed in place by use of a dental laser or a flame. This method also includes three steps: the dental tissue is etched and dried, the material is applied into the tissue, the laser beam or the flame melts the material into the tissue and finally the irradiated spot is air dried. This method protects the teeth from dental caries and periodontal diseases, paints the teeth at a desired shade and the implantable material can be used as a filling material itself.
The protection of the teeth from caries is due to the blocking of the dental minerals that exit the tooth in order to balance the pH of the tooth environment. The protection from periodontal diseases is due to the low surface tension that the implantable materials create in the enamel surface which make the enamel practically uncolonizable to the bacteria. The painting of the teeth is due to the shades that the implantable materials have and can be used to give the teeth a desired tint. A material with properties similar to the enamel or dentin or cementum can be used as a filling material itself in dental cavities.
Defining the etiology of dental caries and periodontal diseases is the primary purpose. Dental research has proved the significance of the microflora and its causation to dental caries and periodontal diseases. Bacteria populations first colonize the teeth's surfaces and then they produce acids. Due to these acids, the new environment between enamel and bacteria has a newly formed lower pH, which causes the enamel to lose mineral content. This interaction takes place from the enamel to the bacteria and starts from the intraprismatic area, between the rods of the hydroxyapatite. The continuous loss of the enamel minerals leads eventually to a decayed or carious tooth. These same acids also interact with periodontal tissues. If the colonies are not mechanically removed by a toothbrush or a dentist, they become bigger, more organized and gram negative, making the acids which they produce, stronger. As a result, these acids enter the gums causing inflammation, which can lead to bone loss and / or eventually to tooth loss.
The shade of the teeth is a very important esthetic factor. Liquids like coffee and cola, use of tetracycline in pregnancy and in early childhood, aging, endodontic treatment and many other staining factors darken the teeth. To this problem, dental bleaching gives an answer. This technique, though, has several defects. Rebound of the shade, sensitivity of the tooth, existing bleaching materials do not bleach composite restorations or, in some cases they have no results at all.
The interface between the restorative material and the tooth is a well studied field. Many compounds like composites, ceramics or even amalgam are in use today having the same problems: the microleakage and the wear of the restoration. These problems arise from the difference of the properties between the tooth tissues and the restorative materials. Different coefficient of linear thermal expansion, different hardness, different tear strength are some of the most important factors that lead the restoration to failure.
In order to prevent dental caries and periodontal diseases scientists had previously followed two directions:
1. The co-operation with the patient,
2. The intervention in oral health of the individuals without co-operation.
The co-operation with the patient includes oral hygiene for the plaque control (brushing, flossing, fluoride rinses, gels) and dietary control. Sometimes it is necessary to change the whole nutritional habits of a certain population.
The scientifically based intervention in oral health submits plaque control, fluoridation of the water, dental-induced application of fluoride and sealants for the enhancement of the enamel.
Fluoride prevents dental caries in two ways:
1 : When applied to the enamel, it is believed that fluoride makes the enamel less soluble to bacteria acids, by penetrating the enamel and changing hydroxyapatite to fluoroapatite.
2: Blocks the enolase, an enzyme that enhances the metabolic activity of the bacteria.
Oral hygiene prevents dental caries and periodontal diseases by removing the dental plaque. No bacteria populations means no damage to the tooth. It is important to brush teeth after every meal in order to remove especially the sugars of the food, that are one of the most important factor for the adherence of the bacteria to the enamel. This is due to sugars high-energy chemical bond (Gh=- 6600cal/mole) which is used form the bacteria to their multiplicity, and due also to the capability of the sugars to adhere smooth-like surfaces, like enamel surface.
According to these directions caries and periodontal diseases should have been eliminated. It is a fact that the prevalence of these diseases has been decreased, especially in children, but we are far from postulating that there is no caries or periodontal diseases any more.
The reasons are the ineffectiveness of the fluoride-oriented preventive treatment and the unwillingness of the individual to follow an everyday oral hygiene. Practically, decayed teeth or periodontal diseases do appear in very clean oral cavities.
The results of fluoride application are not only the enhanced fluorided hydroxy apatite of the enamel but also CaF2 and 6(CaHPO4) which are very soluble to saliva. This explains why most of the fluoride dissolves in minutes after its application to teeth. On the other hand, the fluoride blocks the enolase when it is in an ionic phase, something which rarely happens, because most of the fluoride immediately bonds with the minerals of the plaque and become inactive. These are mainly the reasons why most of today's teeth protective techniques are eventually ineffective.
Sealants have used to prevent pit and fissures caries in children. The preventive value of sealant have been thoroughly examined and proved. The problem, though, of caries and periodontal diseases still exists, especially in adult population.
On the other hand nobody can force a patient to comply with the oral hygiene methods. This unλvillingness of the individuals leads to longer exposure of the enamel to the bacteria acids and respectively to caries and periodontal diseases. The critical pH (5.3-5.5) of the dental plaque and the enamel surface must not be decreased for long time. When this happens, minerals from the enamel move towards the dental plaque to balance the new environment's conditions. After 20-40 minutes this pH returns to its previous number. That means that the enamel starts to be remineralized again from the saliva adjustment mechanisms. This remineralization takes 3-5 hours to be completed. If between these hours, a second decrease of the pH occurs -due to food- the enamel doesn't have time to complete remineralization. This results in a second minerals offering, which finally weakens the enamel and create caries.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention eliminates all these problems because the protective substance is embedded into the teeth and sealed there. It changes the environmental conditions by making the enamel practically unsoluble to the bacteria acids (blocking the enamel minerals) and making the colonization of the teeth nearly impossible (low surface tension).
In the first prefened embodiment, the present invention is a teeth-coating method that protects teeth from caries and periodontal diseases and at the same time paints the teeth. There are three steps:
a. Etching of the teeth. There are already known etching techniques that dentists use in today's dentistry. Etching gels or etching liquids including phosphoric and citric acids or others that can be easily applied to the teeth. Laser induced etching can be also used with various types of laser beams. The teeth are all over etched in all their surfaces especially the more sensitive ones like interproxLmal and in pits and fissures. If there is periodontitis involved in a certain tooth, even cementum must be etched in order to be later coated and protected. The depth of the etching is closely related to the penetration ability of the application technique (step #2) and the penetration ability of the substance that will be used in the second step. That depth varies from a few microns to half a millimeter.
b. Application of the substance. This substance can be a polymer or a salt that contains fluoride or metals. The application technique is electrophoresis, spraying or just application of the substance to the teeth. The application technique is related to the nature of the substance, i.e. to the penetration ability of the specific substance into the enamel. If a substance can give a polar solution, electrophoresis is the best application technique. If a substance can be sprayed, spraying is the best solution. Every technique is accepted if can result in a minimum penetration into the enamel. After the application of the particular substance, a second light etching is needed, in order to create some space for the sealing. This step is not necessary if there is space left. In case the used substance has sealing or glazing characteristics the following step is not necessary.
c. Sealing of the teeth. After the application of the protective and coloring substance the teeth must be sealed. Various glazes, curable or not, can be used, in order to seal the teeth.
The protective substances may advantageously also have color additives, so that their application into the teeth leads to the cosmetic painting of the teeth. Various types of white color or other colors can be used to add a new tint to the teeth.
Today's whitening methods are based in the hydroxy peroxide that oxidizes the enamel minerals resulting in the bleaching of the teeth. This bleaching method is not sufficient because the teeth turn dark again in a few weeks, due to the color of the coffee, the food, or the cigarette.
The present invention is not based on the oxidation of the enamel minerals but practically paints the tooth in the desired color. The same substances that are used for the protection of the teeth can be used to give a desired color to the teeth. The new color lasts longer than the simple bleaching because the discoloration of the food and the drinks cannot be attached to the teeth due to the newly formed low surface tension.
The second preferred embodiment of the present invention relates to the implantation of a thermoplastic polymer or a ceramic into the outer layer of the dental enamel, dentin or cementum. This method includes three steps:
1. The dental tissue is etched and dried. The part of the tooth that is etched depends on the application. For caries and periodontal diseases protection, the whole tooth must be etched especially interproximally and in pits and fissures. For the painting of the teeth the etched space relies on the esthetic ideal, because the etched space will accept the desired shade. For the use of a ceramic or a specific polymer as a filling material the etched part is defined by the margins of the restoration. The drying of the etched tooth is performed after the etching and can be done by air or a lower wattage laser beam.
2. The application of the specific material for the specific application is performed by air spraying the material into the etched dental tissue. The material must be in fine powder so that it can permeate the etched tooth especially between the hydroxyapatite rods.
3. The proper laser beam, adjusted in the proper settings for every application, scans the tooth and melts the material instantaneously into the tooth. Right after the melting, the lased part of the tooth is air dried. The flame must reach the melting point of each material and must not damage the material or the tissue from overheating.
In the second preferred embodiment of the present invention, the problems of the past are eliminated because:
a. the implanted material blocks the exit of the dental minerals from the enamel and especially the intraprismatic space of the enamel -anti caries protection;
b. the implanted material has very high chemical resistance and creates a very low surface tension to the tooth tissues which make the tooth uncolonizable to the bacteria -anti periodontal diseases protection;
c. the implanted materials have a broad range in colors and can be used to give the teeth the desired shade-painting method;
d. the implanted material creates an alloy with the tooth tissues as it is co-melted with them, making the restoration, a part of the tooth -restorative material.
In the second preferred embodiment, the implantable material is a polymer or a ceramic that can be melted into the tooth. For caries and perio protection the polymers are preferable because of the excellent chemical resistance and the low surface tension that create to the tooth enamel, making it uncolonizable to bacteria. For the painting of the teeth the polymers are preferable again because of the versatility of their use and the wide shade range that they have. For dental restorations the ceramics are preferable because of the non-existence of microleakage -due to the co-melting of the ceramic and the tissue- and the vicinity of properties between dental tissues and ceramics.
The laser beam must be adjusted to the properties of every dental tissue to which it refers. The wavelength of the laser must be the same that every dental tissue absorbs (i.e., 9.3 - 9.6 μm for the enamel or 6-7.5 μm for the dentin). This fact gives the dentist the opportunity to heat the dental tissue to that point where each material melts. The specific wavelength which every dental tissue fully absorbs makes that specific tissue unable to transmit the laser wave deeper into the tooth and consequently hurt the pulp of the tooth.
Every dental tissue has a specific thermal damage envelope. The melting of the implantable material -polymer or ceramic- must coordinate with this envelope. That means that the melting of the material must happen instantaneously in order to avoid the damage of the tissue which can arise from prolonged time of irradiation.
The thermal relaxation time of every tissue must be followed too. Therefore, the laser beam, can be either pulsed or continuous. That depends on the application. For laser melting the pulsed mode is preferable because it gives the tooth time to coo, especially in the restorative application. For laser drying after etching even continuous mode can be used because of the low wattage of the laser.
The flame must reach the melting point of each material and must not char or damage the implantable material or the tissue.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
As described above, the first preferred embodiment of the present invention is a teeth-coating method that protects teeth from dental caries and periodontal diseases and optionally also paints teeth at a desired color. This coating method consists of the following steps:
a. etching the teeth, for example by acid, laser, or other methods available to dentists;
b. application of the protective substance and any optionally desired coloring substance to the etched teeth, by any of the methods available to dentists.
c. sealing the teeth, by any of the methods available to dentists. This step depends on the nature of the protective and coloring substance because many substances have sealing characteristics. If that happens, additional sealing is not necessary.
The etching of the teeth can be performed by the already known techniques, e.g., acid or laser induced. The etching step is essential because there must be enough space for the second step, the application of the protective substances. The entire exposed surface of the teeth must be etched, in order to provide adequate protection. Another etching procedure that can be employed herein is the "air abrasion" option. These techniques are discussed in detail in the dental literature, and several references are recited below.
For acid etching, commonly employed materials include phosphoric acid, maleic acid, citric acid, pyruvic acid, and the like. For laser etching, common lasers used are the C02, Nd/Yag, Ar:F and others.
Advantageously, known techniques are used for an overall etching, at a sufficient depth that will accommodate the protective substances and any optional colorants. Special care should also be given to those places that are more prone to develop caries like interproximately and in pits and fissures, or in the places that already have or are more prone to develop periodontitis (in some cases even cementum must be protected). The etching depth is closely related to the penetration ability and the application technique of the protective substances which will be applied after the etching step. Finally, the quality of the tooth enamel is another factor, which will vary on a patient by patient basis. Usually, an etching depth of about 50 microns (μ ) is adequate for most aspects of the present invention.
The application of the protective substance (and optional coloring substances) can be performed by various techniques depending on the nature of the substance used. Electrophoresis, spraying, or any other technique that results in the penetration of the substance into the enamel. This penetration can vary from a few microns to half a millimeter depending on the etching technique that is previously used and the penetration ability that every substance has. The total depth of the penetration is closely related to the protection degree that every substance has. More protective characteristics mean less depth and vice versa.
Commonly employed protective substances include the water soluble polymers (xanthan and others), other polymers, salts (e.g., ZnF, CaF, NaF and others), oxides (ZrO2, TiO2 and others), cellulose products (cellulose acetate and others), proteins, polyurethane solid coatings, composites (Bisphenol A-Glycidyl Methacrylate and others), resins (Bis-GMA and others).
The final step is the sealing of the teeth. This step is necessary when protective substances with no sealing characteristics were previously used, and not necessary in case of protective substances with self-sealing characteristics. The sealing materials generally require some space in order to be applied, so if the protective (and optional colorant) substance has filled every space in the teeth, a second light etching will be required before the sealing. The sealing can be curable, like the already known glazes in dentistry or not. The sealing must hermetically seal the tooth's surface. One commonly employed sealer is available under the brand name "Fortify." Other sealers are also known and commercially available.
In the second prefened embodiment of the invention, a thermoplastic polymer or a meltable ceramic material is implanted into the tooth. The implantable polymer or ceramic, in fine powder, is air sprayed into the acid etched and laser dried tooth. A specific laser or a flame, adjusted in the proper settings, scans the tooth and instantaneously melts the polymer or the ceramic. The application ends with the air drying of the lased part of the tooth right after the melting.
The etching of the dental enamel, dentin or cementum is performed by acid or laser. Already used etching acids like phosphoric acid, maleic acid, citric acid, pyruvic acid can be used for this step. The laser etching can also be used, although not preferably, because of the melting that creates to the dental tissues. After the etching the etched dental tissue is dried by air or by laser. The laser is preferable because it does not create the piston phenomenon. In this case the air that flows into the intraprismatic area cannot reach and dry the bottom part of the tags because of the existing amount of air that is already pressed there in a higher pressure than the pressure of the air spray. The drying laser follows the same rules with the melting laser in a lower wattage.
The application of the implantable polymer or ceramic is performed by air spraying the material into the etched part of the tooth. The polymer or the ceramic is in fine powder so that it can permeate the tooth and rest into the tooth, especially between the rods of the apatite. The polymers that can be used must be thermoplastic in order to be melted using the laser or the flame. The melting point of the polymers and the ceramics must not exceed the melting point of the dental tissue that will be implanted in. The maximum melting point that any implantable material can have is the melting point of the dental tissue that will be implanted in. The material that is used every time, after the laser and the air drying, does not override the level of the tooth structure except the special polymer or the ceramic that is used as a restorative material and involves the co-melting of the material and the dental tissue. That includes mostly polymers that will be melted into the dental tissue -and their properties, especially wear resistance and tear strength are not close to the dental tissue's. In case of using this method for restorative purposes, the final level of the newly formed alloy (the dental tissue and the ceramic or some polymers) is the same. In this case the amount of the dental tissue that is removed from the etching corresponds to the amount of the material that is deposited and the result after the laser irradiation is an alloy of dental tissue and implanted material (ceramic or special polymer) that has the same dimensions with the part of the tooth where the application took place.
The laser or the flame is used actually to instantaneously heat the dental tissue or the implantable material (depends on the application) to a specific point where the melting point of the implantable material stands. The flame must not exceed the melting point of the implantable material. The laser -preferably used for restorative reasons- follows the thermal damage envelope of every dental tissue that will be used on. The wavelength of the laser that will be applied in any dental tissue must be fully absorbed by the specific dental tissue so that the laser energy is not transmitted into the pulp of the tooth. For example the wavelength that is fully absorbed by the enamel is 9.3-9.6 μm and can be delivered by a CQ dental laser. The wattage of the laser relates to the energy that the implantable material needs to be melted into the dental tissue or maximum needs the dental tissue along with the ceramic or the polymer to be melted together. The mode of the laser - continuous or pulsed- depends on the implantable materials and the thermal relaxation time of every dental tissue. For laser drying, continuous mode is preferable because the wattage is very low. For laser melting, pulsed mode is preferable because it gives the tooth time to cool. The spot diameter of the laser beam or the flame plays an important role in the amount of energy that is deposited into the dental tissue and can vary from 0.1 mm (for pits and fissures) to 1.5 mm for the wider areas of the tooth.
The drying of the melted material into the tooth is performed by air spraying. Right after the laser beam melts the polymer or the ceramic into the tooth, an air spray follows to cool down the tooth area that has accepted the implantation. This cooling down turns -progressively- the temperature of the irradiated spot back to the normal level.
The thermoplastic polymers that can be used in this invention are all the polymers that can be melted by a laser or a flame and their melting point does not exceed the melting point of the dental tissue that will receive this implantation. The ceramics follow the same rule. Every ceramic compound can be used if it can be melted by a laser or a flame and its melting point does not exceed the melting point of the dental tissue that will receive the implantation.
The following references are provided as additional information to assist the skilled artisan in further understanding and utilizing the present invention. The documents cited below are hereby incorporated herein by reference.
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References for air abrasion 1. Awliya W. Oden A. Yaman P. Dennison JB. Razzoog ME. Shear bond strength of a resin cement to densely sintered high-purity alumina with various surface conditions. Acta Odontologica Scandinavica. 56(1):9-13, 1998 Feb. Health Sciences Library (Boston).
2. Mayes J. Porth R. Air abrasion: the new "drill-less" dentistry [interview by Phillip Bonner]. Dentistry Today. 16(9):58, 60, 62-5, 1997 Sep.
3. Feigenbaum N. Adhesives and air abrasion. [Review] [6 refs] Dentistry Today. 14(4):98, 100-1, 1995 Apr.
4. Zyskind D. Zyskind K. Hirschfeld Z. Fuks AB. Effect of etching on leakage
of sealants placed after air abrasion. Pediatric Dentistry. 20(l):25-7, 1998 Jan- Feb. Health Sciences Library (Boston).
5. Christensen GJ. Air abrasion tooth cutting: state of the art 1998. Journal of the American Dental Association. 129(4):484-5, 1998 Apr. Health Sciences Library (Boston).
6. Boston DW. Alperstein KS. Boberick K. Cavosurface margin geometry in conventional and air abrasion Class V cavity preparations. American Journal of Dentistry. 10(2):97-101, 1997 Apr.
7. Radz GM. Air abrasion: the future of restorative microdentistry. Compendium of Continuing Education in Dentistry. 18(6):534-8, 540, 1997 Jun. Health Sciences Library (Boston).
8. Olsen ME. Bishara SE. Damon P. Jakobsen JR. Comparison of shear bond strength and surface structure between conventional acid etching and air- abrasion of human enamel. American Journal of Orthodontics & Dentofacial Orthopedics. 112(5):502-6^ 1997 Nov. Health Sciences Library (Boston).
9. Kanellis MJ. Warren JJ. Levy SM. Comparison of air abrasion versus acid etch sealant techniques: six-month retention. Pediatric Dentistry. 19(4):258-61, 1997 May-Jun. Health Sciences Library (Boston).
10. Willems G. Carels CE. Verbeke G. In vitro peel/shear bond strength evaluation of orthodontic bracket base design. Journal of Dentistry. 25(3-4):271- 8, 1997 May-Jul. Health Sciences Library (Boston).
11. Kotlow LA. New technology in pediatric dentistry. New York State Dental Journal. 62(2):26-30, 1996 Feb. Health Sciences Library (Boston).
12. Kupiec KA. Barkmeier WW. Laboratory evaluation of surface treatments for composite repair. Operative Dentistry. 21(2):59-62, 1996 Mar-Apr. Health Sciences Library (Boston).
13. Sonis AL. Air abrasion of failed bonded metal brackets: a study of shear bond strength and surface characteristics as deteπriined by scanning electron microscopy. American Journal of Orthodontics & Dentofacial Orthopedics. 110(l):96-8, 1996 Jul. Health Sciences Library (Boston).
14. Brown JR. Barkmeier WW. A comparison of six enamel treatment procedures for sealant bonding. Pediatric Dentistry. 18(1):29-31, 1996 Jan-Feb. Health Sciences Library (Boston).
15. Roeder LB. Berry EA 3rd. You C. Powers JM. Bond strength of composite to air-abraded enamel and dentin. Operative Dentistry. 20(5): 186-90, 1995 Sep- Oct. Health Sciences Library (Boston). 16. Berry EA 3rd. Ward M. Bond strength of resin composite to air-abraded enamel. Quintessence International. 26(8):559-62, 1995 Aug. Health Sciences Library (Boston).
17. Laurell KA. Hess JA. Scanning electron micrographic effects of air- abrasion cavity preparation on human enamel and dentin. Quintessence International. 26(2): 139-44, 1995 Feb. Health Sciences Library (Boston).
18. Los SA. Barkmeier WW. Effects of dentin air abrasion with aluminum oxide and hydroxyapatite on adhesive bond strength. Operative Dentistry. 19(5): 169-75, 1994 Sep-Oct. Health Sciences Library (Boston).
19. Latta MA. Barkmeier WW. Bond strength of a resin cement to a cured composite inlay material. Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry. 72(2): 189-93, 1994 Aug. Health Sciences Library (Boston).
20. Swift EJ Jr. Brodeur C. Cvitko E. Pires JA. Treatment of composite surfaces for indirect bonding. Dental Materials. 8(3): 193-6, 1992 May. Health Sciences Library (Boston).
21. Huennekens SC. Daniel SJ. Bayne SC. Effects of air polishing on the abrasion of occlusal sealants. Quintessence International. 22(7):581-5, 1991 Jul. Health Sciences Library (Boston).
22. Ferrari M. Cagidiaco MC. Breschi R. Evaluation of resin-bonded retainers with the scanning electron microscope. Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry. 59(2): 160-5, 1988 Feb. Health Sciences Library (Boston).
References for acid-etching
1. A. Buonocore MG. A simple method of increasing the adhesion of acrylic filling materials to enamel surfaces. J. Dent. Res 1955; 34:849-853.
2. B. Gwinnett AJ. Matsui A. A study of enamel adhesives. The physical relationship between enamel and adhesive. Arch. Oral Biol 1967; 12: 1615-1620
3. C. Relief DH. Effect of conditioning the enamel surface with phosphoric acid. J. Dent. Res. 1973; 52:333-341
4. D. Gwinnett AJ. Histologic changes in human enamel following treatment with acidic adhesive conditioning agents. Arch Oral Biol 1971; 16:731-738
5. E. Silverstone LM, Saxton CA, Dogon IL, Fejerskov O. Variation in the pattern of acid etching of human dental enamel examined by scanning electron microscopy. Caries Res 1975; 9:373-387
6. F. Seow WK. Amaratunge A. The effects of acid-etching on enamel from different clinical variants of amelogenesis imperfecta: an SEM study. Pediatric Dentistry. 20(l):37-42, 1998 Jan-Feb. Health Sciences Library (Boston).
7. Seow WK. Amaratunge A. The effects of acid-etching on enamel from different clinical variants of amelogenesis imperfecta: an SEM study. Pediatric Dentistry. 20(l):37-42, 1998 Jan-Feb. Health Sciences Library (Boston).
8. Zyskind D. Zyskind K. Hirschfeld Z. Fuks AB. Effect of etching on leakage of sealants placed after air abrasion. Pediatric Dentistry. 20(l):25-7, 1998 Jan- Feb. Health Sciences Library (Boston).
9. Moritz A. Gutknecht N. Schoop U. Goharkhay K. Wernisch J. Sperr W. Alternatives in enamel conditioning: a comparison of conventional and innovative methods. Journal of Clinical Laser Medicine & Surgery. 14(3): 133-6,
1996 Jun.
10. Gunadi G. Nakabayashi N. Preparation of an effective light-cured bonding agent for orthodontic application. Dental Materials. 13(1):7-12, 1997 Jan. Health Sciences Library (Boston).
11. Ariyaratnam MT. Wilson MA. Mackie IC. Blinkhorn AS. A comparison of surface roughness and composite/ enamel bond strength of human enamel following the application of the Nd:YAG laser and etching with phosphoric acid. Dental Materials. 13(l):51-5, 1997 Jan. Health Sciences Library (Boston).
12. Chan AR. Titley KC. Chernecky R. Smith DC. A short- and long-term shear bond strength study using acids of varying dilutions on bovine dentine. Journal of Dentistry. 25(2): 145-52, 1997 Mar. Health Sciences Library (Boston).
13. Reisner KR. Levitt HL. Mante F. Enamel preparation for orthodontic bonding: a comparison between the use of a sandblaster and cunent techniques. American Journal of Orthodontics & Dentofacial Orthopedics. l l l(4):366-73, 1997 Apr. Health Sciences Library (Boston).
14. Chung KH. Hwang YC. Bonding strengths of porcelain repair systems with various surface treatments. Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry. 78(3):267-74,
1997 Sep. Health Sciences Library (Boston).
15. Cagidiaco MC. Fercari M. Vichi A. Davidson CL. Mapping of tubule and intertubule surface areas available for bonding in Class V and Class II preparations. Journal of Dentistry. 25(5):379-89, 1997 Sep. Health Sciences Library (Boston).
16. Kuhar M. Cevc P. Schara M. Funduk N. Enhanced permeability of acid- etched or ground dental enamel. Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry. 77(6):578-82, 1997 Jun. Health Sciences Library (Boston). 17. Hummel SK. Marker V. Pace L. Goldfogle M. Surface treatment of indirect resin composite surfaces before cementation. Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry. 77(6): 568-72, 1997 Jun. Health Sciences Library (Boston).
18. Meredith N. Setchell DJ. In vitro measurement of cuspal strain and displacement in composite restored teeth. Journal of Dentistry. 25(3-4):331-7, 1997 May- Jul. Health Sciences Library (Boston).
19. Perdigao J. Lambrechts P. van Meerbeek B. Tome AR. Vanherle G. Lopes AB. Morphological field emission-SEM study of the effect of six phosphoric acid etching agents on human dentin. Dental Materials. 12(4):262-71, 1996 Jul. Health Sciences Library (Boston).
20. Cowan AJ. Wilson NH. Wilson MA. Watts DC. The application of ESEM in dental materials research. Journal of Dentistry. 24(5):375-7, 1996 Sep. Health Sciences Library (Boston).
21. Wong M. Eulenberger J. Schenk R. Hunziker E. Effect of surface topology on the osseointegration of implant materials in trabecular bone. Journal of Biomedical Materials Research. 29(12): 1567-75, 1995 Dec. Health Sciences Library (Boston).
22. Uno S. Finger WJ. Phosphoric acid as a conditioning agent in the Gluma bonding system. American Journal of Dentistry. 8(5):236-41, 1995 Oct.
23. Goracci G. Mori G. Bazzucchi M. Marginal seal and biocompatibility of a fourth-generation bonding agent. DentalMaterials. l l(6):343-7, 1995 Nov. Health Sciences Library (Boston).
24. van Gogswaardt DC. Behrens VG. The effectiveness of an indicator gel in the detection of exposed dentine. Journal of Dentistry. 23(6):375-6, 1995 Dec. Health Sciences Library (Boston).
25. Richards A. Coote GE. Pearce El. Proton probe and acid etching for determining fluoride profiles in porous porcine enamel. Journal of Dental Research. 73(3):644-51, 1994 Mar. Health Sciences Library (Boston).
26. Walsh LJ. Abood D. Brockhurst PJ. Bonding of resin composite to carbon dioxide laser-modified human enamel. Dental Materials. 10(3): 162-6, 1994 May. Health Sciences Library (Boston).
27. Oikarinen KS. Nieminen TM. Influence of acid-etched splinting methods on discoloration of dental enamel in four media: an in vitro study. Scandinavian Journal of Dental Research. 102(6):313-8, 1994 Dec. Health Sciences Library (Boston).
28. Meechan JG. McCabe JF. Beynon AD. Adhesion of composite resin to bone— a pilot study. British Journal of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery. 32(2):91-3, 1994 Apr. Health Sciences Library (Boston).
29. Suliman AH. Swift EJ Jr. Perdigao J. Effects of surface treatment and bonding agents on bond strength of composite resin to porcelain. Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry. 70(2): 118-20, 1993 Aug. Health Sciences Library (Boston).
30. Swift EJ Jr. Brodeur C. Cvitko E. Pires JA. Treatment of composite surfaces for indirect bonding. Dental Materials. 8(3): 193-6, 1992 May. Health Sciences Library (Boston).
31. Yiu CK. Wei SH. Management of rampant caries in children. [Review] [47 refs] Quintessence International. 23(3): 159-68, 1992 Mar. Health Sciences Library (Boston).
32. Smales RJ. Effects of enamel-bonding, type of restoration, patient age and operator on the longevity of an anterior composite resin. American Journal of Dentistry. 4(3): 130-3, 1991 Jun.
33. Soderholm KJ. Roberts MJ. Variables influencing the repair strength of dental composites. Scandinavian Journal of Dental Research. 99(2): 173-80, 1991 Apr. Health Sciences Library (Boston).
34. Hosoya Y. Goto G. Effects of cleaning, polishing pretreatments and acid etching times on unground primary enamel. Journal of Pedodontics. 14(2):84- 92, 1990 Winter. Health Sciences Library (Boston).
35. Frentzen M. Koort HJ. Kermani O. Dardenne MU. [Preparation of hard tooth structure w ith Excimer lasers]. [German] Deutsche Zahnarztliche Zeitschrift. 44(6):454-7, 1989 Jun. Health Sciences Library (Boston).
36. Iijima Y. Koulourides T. Mineral density and fluoride content of in vitro remineralized lesions. Journal of Dental Research. 67(3):577-81, 1988 Mar. Health Sciences Library (Boston).
37. Ishikiriama A. Oliveira J de F. Vieira DF. Mondelli J. Influence of some factors on the fit of cemented crowns. Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry. 45(4) :400- 4, 1981 Apr. Health Sciences Library (Boston).
38. Vainio J. Kilpikari J. Tormala P. Rokkanen P. Experimental fixation of bone cement and composite resins to bone. Archives of Orthopaedic & Traumatic Surgery. 94(3): 191-5, 1979 Aug.
39. Tsvetkova G. [Dental acid etching methods— theoretical premises and practical application]. [Review] [48 refs] [Bulgarian] Stomatologiia. 60(2): 152-8, 1978 Mar-Apr. 40. Gwinnett AJ. Status report on acid etching procedures. Council on Dental Materials and Devices. Journal of the American Dental Association. 97(3):505-8, 1978 Sep. Health Sciences Library (Boston).
41. Koch G. Paulander J. [Clinical evaluation of composite restorations made with acid etching methods]. [Swedish] Svensk Tandlakaretidskrift. 69(6): 191-6, 1976.
42. Rowe AH. A modification of the acid-etching technique for restoring fractured incisors. Journal of Dentistry. 2(l):35-6, 1973 Oct. Health Sciences Library (Boston).
Miscellaneous References
1. Lyons KM. Rodda JC. Hood JA. Use of a pressure chamber to compare microleakage of three luting agents. International Journal of Prosthodontics. 10(5):426-33, 1997 Sep-Oct.
2. Kydd WL. Nicholls JL Harrington G. Freeman M. Marginal leakage of cast gold crowns luted with zinc phosphate cement: an in vivo study. Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry. 75(1):9-13, 1996 Jan. Health Sciences Library (Boston).
3. White SN. Yu Z. Tom JF. Sangsurasak S. In vivo microleakage of luting cements for cast crowns. Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry. 71(4):333-8, 1994 Apr. Health Sciences Library (Boston).
4. Prati C. Fava F. Di Gioia D. Selighini M. Pashley DH. Antibacterial effectiveness of dentin bonding systems. Dental Materials. 9(6):338-43, 1993 Nov. Health Sciences Library (Boston).
5. Blair KF. Koeppen RG. Schwartz RS. Davis RD. Microleakage associated with resin composite-cemented, cast glass ceramic restoration. International Journal of Prosthodontics. 6(6):579-84, 1993 Nov-Dec.
6. Zaimoglu A. Karaagaclioglu L. Uctasli. Influence of porcelain material and composite luting resin on microleakage of porcelain laminate veneers. Journal of Oral Rehabilitation. 19(4):319-27, 1992 Jul. Health Sciences Library (Boston).
7. White SN. Sorensen JA. Kang SK. Caputo AA. Microleakage of new crown and fixed partial denture luting agents. Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry.
67(2): 156-61, 1992 Feb. Health Sciences Library (Boston).
8. Berg JH. Pettey DE. Hutchins MO. Microleakage of three luting agents used with stainless steel crowns. Pediatric Dentistry. 10(3): 195-8, 1988 Sep. Health Sciences Library (Boston).
The following is a list of polymers which will be useful as a protective O 00/09030
- 30
substance in the present invention.
POLYMER LIST
Tradenames, Generic Polymers, and Suppliers
Tradename Material Manufacturer
A
Acctuf PP copolymer Amoco Polymers
Acetron Acetal DSM
Aclon fluoropolymer Allied Signal
ACP PVC Alpha Gary
Acrylite acrylic Cyro Industries
Acryrex acrylic Chi Mei Industrial
Adell thermoplastic resin Adell
Adflex Montell
Adpro polypropylene Huntsman
Adstif Montell
Affinity plastomer Dow Plastics
Aim PS Dow Plastics
Akulon nylon 6,66 DSM
Akuloy nylon 6,66 alloys DSM
Alathon HDPE, HDPE copolymer Lyondell Polymers
Albis nylon 6, 66 Albis Canada
Alcryn TP elastomer DuPont Algoflon fluoropolymer Auismont
Alphatec TP elastomer Alpha Gary
Amilan nylon Toray Industries
Amoco thermoplastic resin Amoco
Amodel PPA (polyphthalamide) Amoco Polymers
Apec PC (high temperature) Bayer
API polystyrene American Polymers
Aqualoy nylon 6/ 12, 66, PP ComAlloy
Aquathene polyethylene Quantum
Alcryn TP elastomer DuPont
Arcel styrene / ethylene copolymer Nova Chemicals
Ardel polyarylate Amoco Polymers
Arnitel TP elastomer DSM
Aropol thermoset resin Ashland
Arpro expandable PP bead JSP
Arpak expandable PP bead JSP
Ashlene nylon 6, 66, 6/ 12 Ashley Polymers
Astryn PP alloy, co- and Montell homopolymer, TPO
Attane ULDPE Dow Plastics
AurumTP polyimide Mitsui Toatsu
AVP (various) Polymerland
Azdel thermoplastic resin Azdel
B Bapolene polyethylene Bamberger
Barex acrylonitrile copolymer BP Chemicals
Bayblend polycarbonate/ABS Bayer
Baydur structural foam PUR RIM Bayer
Baylon nylon 6/6 Bay Resins
Beetle urea formaldehyde Cytec Industries
Benvic PVC Solvay
Beta Beta Polymers
Bexloy ionomer DuPont
Boltaron FR PP GenCorp
C
Cabot thermoplastic resin Cabot
Cadon SMA copolymer Bayer
Calibre polycarbonate Dow Plastics
Capron nylon 6, 66, 66/6 Allied Signal
Carilon aliphatic PK Shell
Cefor polypropylene Shell
Celanese nylon 6, nylon 6/6 Hoechst-Celanese
Celanex polyester (PBT) Hoechst-Celanese
Celcon acetal copolymer Hoechst-Celanese
Celstran long fiber reinforced Hoechst-Celanese
Centrex ASA, ASA+AES Bayer
Cevian ABS, ABS+PBT,SAN Daicel C-flex SBS, SEBS Concept Polymer
Chemigum TP elastomer Goodyear
Chemlon Nylon 6,66 Chem Polymer
Claradex ABS Shin-A
Compodic DIC Trading
Comshield PP ComAlloy
Comtuf impact resistant resins ComAlloy
Cosmic Cosmic
Corton mineral filled material PolyPacific
Crastin PBT DuPont
Crystalor polymethylpentene (PMP) Phillips Chemical
CTI Nylon 66 M.A.Hanna
Cycogel ABS Nova Polymers
Cycolac ABS, ABS+PBT GE Plastics
Cycolin ABS/PBT GE Plastics
Cycoloy polycarbonate/ABS GE Plastics
Cyglas TS polyester Cytec Industries
Cymel melamine formaldehyde Cytec Industries
Cyrex acrylic / poly carbonate Alloy Cyro Industries
Cyrolite acrylic Cyro Industries
D
Delrin acetal DuPont
Desmopan TP polyurethane Bayer Dexplex TPO D&S Polymers
Diamon Diamond Polymers
Dimension Nylon 6 alloy Allied Signal
Dowlex HDPE, LLDPE Dow Plastics
Drexflex TP elastomer D&S Plastics
Duraflex polybutylene Shell
Dural PVC Alpha Gary
Durel polyarylate Hoechst-Celanese
Durethan nylon 6 Bayer
Durez thermoset resins Occidental
Dylark SMA copolymer Nova Chemicals
Dylene polystyrene Nova Chemicals
Dylite expandable polystyrene Nova Chemicals
Dynaflex SBS, SEBS GLS Plastics
E
Eastabond PET Eastman Chemical
Eastalloy PC+Polyester Eastman Chemical
Eastapak PET Eastman Chemical
Eastar (various polyesters) Eastman Chemical
Eastman thermoplastic resin Eastman Chemical
Ecdel TP elastomer Eastman Chemical
Ecoprene TP Elastomer Rubber & Plastics Solutions
Edistir polystyrene Enichem Ektar PET, PBT, P T po lyester Eastman Chemical
Ektar FB TP elastomer Eastman Chemical
Elastalloy TP elastomer GLS corp
Elastollan polyurethane TPE BASF
Electrafil electrically conductive DSM polymers
Elexar TP Elastomer Teknor Apex
Elvamide nylon copolymer DuPont
Eltex HDPE Solvay
Eltex P PP Solvay
Elvax EVA copolymer DuPont
Emac EMA copolymer Chevron Chemical
Emiclear Toshiba
Emi-X (various) LNP
Empee polyethylene, polypropylene Monmouth
Enathene ethylene butyl acrylate Quantum
Engage TP elastomer Dow Plastics
Epalex PolyPacific
Eref PA/PP alloy Solvay
Escalloy PP (stress crack resist) ComAlloy
Escoracid terpolymer Exxon Chemical
Escorene polypropylene Exxon Chemical
Estaloc polyurethane BF Goodrich
Estane polyurethane TPEBF Goodrich Evalca EVA copolymer Eval
Exact plastomer Exxon Chemical
Extron glass filled material PolyPacific
Exxtral TP elastomer Exxon Chemical
F
Faradex conductive wire filled DSM
Ferrene polyethylene Ferro
Fenex polypropylene Feno
Feno Ferro
Fenocon Polyolefin Ferro
Fenoflo polystyrene Feno
Fenopak PP/PE alloy Ferro
Fiberfil fiber reinforced material DSM
Fiberloc fiber reinforced PVC Geon
Fiberstran long fiber reinforced DSM material
Fina polyolefin Fina Oil
Finaclear polystyrene, SBS Fina Oil
Finaprene TP elastomer Fina Oil
Flexalloy PVC Teknor Apex
Flexomer polyethylene (ULDPE) Union Carbide
Flexprene TP elastomer Teknor Apex
Fluorocomp reinforced fluoropolymer LNP
Foamspan thermoplastic foam ComAlloy Foraflon PVDF Atochem
Formion ionomer A. Schulman
Fortiflex polyethylene Solvay
Fortilene polypropylene Solvay
Fortron PPS Hoechst-Celanese
FR-P CPC Lucky
FTPE Fluorelastomer 3M Performance Polymers
G
Gapex nylon Ferro
Geloy ASA, ASA+PC, ASA+PVC GE Plastics
Geolast TP elastomer Advanced Elastomer
Sys.
Geon PVC Geon
Glaskyd alkyd CYTEC
Glastic thermost resin Glastic
Goldrex acrylic Hanyang Chemical
Grilamid nylon 12 EMS-American
Grilon
Grilon nylon 6, 66 EMS-American
Grilon
Grilpet PET EMS-American
Grilon
Grivory nylon EMS-American
Grilon
H
Halar fluoropolymer Ausimont Halon fluoropolymer Ausimont
Hanalac ABS Miwon
Haysite thermoset resin Haysite
Hercuprene TP elastomer J-Von
Hetron thermoset resin Ashland
Hifax PP, TPE, TPO Montell
HiGlass glass filled polypropylene Himont
Hiloy high strength resin ComAlloy
Histat electrically conductive United Composite:
HiVal polyethylene (HDPE) General Pol
Hivalloy PP alloy Montell
Hostacen metallocene PP Hoechst-Celanese
Hostacom reinforced PP Hoechst-Celanese
Hostaflon fluoropolymers Hoechst-Celanese
Hostaform acetal copolymer Hoechst-Celanese
Hostalen PE Hoechst-Celanese
Hostalen-GUR UHMW PE Hoechst-Celanese
Hostalen PP polypropylene Hoechst-Celanese
Hostalloy polyolefin alloy Hoechst-Celanese
Huntsman thermoplastic Huntsman
Hyflon fluoropolymer Auismont
Hylar PVDF Auismont
Hylon nylon 6, 66 Hale
Hytrel TP elastomer DuPont O 00/09030
- 39 -
Impetpolyester (PET) Hoechst-Celanese
Interpol polyurethane Cook Composites
Iotek ionomer Exxon
Isoplast TPU Dow Plastics
Iupiace PPO/PPE Mitsubishi
Iupilon polycarbonate Mitsubishi
Iupital acetal Mitsubishi
Ixan PVDF Solvay
Ixef polyarylamide Solvay Polymers J
J-Plast TP elastomer J-Von
K
Kadel PAEK Amoco Polymers
Kamax acrylic copolymer AtoHaas
Kemcor LDPE, HDPE Kemcor Australia
Kematal acetal copolymer Hoechst-Celanese
Kibisan SAN Chi Mei Industrial
Kibiton SBS Chi Mei Industrial
Koblend polycarbonate/ABS EniChem America
Kodapak PET polyester Eastman
Kodar PETG polyester Eastman
Kohinor vinyl Rimtec
Kopa Nylon 6,66 Kolon America Kraton styrenic TPE Shell Chemical
K-Resin styrene/butadiene Phillips Chemical copolymer
Kynar PVDF Atochem
L
Ladene polystyrene SABIC
Lexan polycarbonate GE Plastics
Lomod TP elastomer GE Plastics
Lubricomp wear resistant material LNP
Lubrilon nylon 6,66,6/ 12,PBT Comalloy
Lubriloy internally lubricated LNP material
Lucel acetal copolymer Lucky
Lucet acetal copolymer Lucky
Lumax PBT alloy Lucky
Lupan SAN Lucky
Lupol polyolefin Lucky
Lupon nylon 66 Lucky
Lupos ABS Lucky
Lupox PBT Lucky
Lupoy ABS+PBT Lucky
Luran SAN.ASA BASF
Lusep PPS Lucky
Lustran ABS, SAN, ABS+Acrylic Bayer
Luxis nylon 6/6 Westover Lytex epoxy Quantum Compo!
M
Magnacomp Nylon 6, 6/ 10, PP LNP
Magnum ABS Dow Plastics
Makrolon polycarbonate, PC blend Bayer
Makroblend polycarbonate blend Bayer
Malecca styrenic copolymer Denki Kagaku
Maranyl nylon ICI Americas
Marlex polyethylene, polypropylene Phillips Chemical
Mater-Bi biodegradeable polymer Novamont
Microthene PE Quantum
Milastomer TP elastomer Mitsui
Mindel PSU, PSU alloy Amoco Polymers
Minion mineral filled nylon 6/6, DuPont 6/6/6
Morthane TPU Morton
Multibase ABS Multibase
Multi-Flam polypropylene Multibase
Multi-Flex TP elastomer Multibase
Multi-Hips polystyrene Multibase
Multi-Pro polypropylene Multibase
Multi-San SAN copolymer Multibase
N
NASSMMA acrylic Nova Chemicals Naxell polycarbonate (recycled) MRC Polymers
Norsophen Phenolic Norold Composites
Nortuff HDPE, polypropylene Polymerland
Noryl PPO, PPO alloy GE Plastics
Novalast TP elastomer Nova Polymers
Novalene TP elastomer Nova Polymers
Novamid nylon Mitsubishi
Novapol LLDPE,LDPE,HDPE Nova Chemicals
Novatemp PVC Novatec
Novon starch based polymer Novon
NSC Nylon, PS Thermofil
Nucrel EMAA copolymer DuPont
Nybex nylon 6/ 12 Nova
Nydur nylon 6 Bayer (now called Durethan)
Nylafil nylon 66 DSM
Nylamid nylon Polymer Service
Nylast TP elastomer Allied Signal
Nylatron glass reinforced nylon DSM
Nylene nylon Custom Resins
Nylind nylon 66 DuPont
Nyloy nylon 66, PC, PP Nytex Composites
Nypel nylon 6 Allied Signal
Nytron nylon 66 Nytex Composites o
Olehard filled polypropylene Chiso America
Ontex TP elastomer D&S Plastics
Optema EMA copolymer Exxon Chemical
Optix acrylic Plaskolite
Oxy vinyl Occidental
Oxyblend vinyl Occidental
Oxyclear PVC Occidental
P
Panlite polycarbonate Teijin Chemical
Paxon HDPE Paxon
Pebax PEBA Atochem
Pellethane polyurethane TP elastomer Dow Plastics
PermaStat (various) RTP
Perspex acrylic ICI Acrylics
Petlon PBT Albis
Petra polyester (PET) Allied Signal
Petrothene polyethylene, polypropylene, Quantum
TPO
Pibiter polyester (PBT) EniChem
Plaslok thermoset resins Plaslok
Plaslube lubricated materials DSM
Plenco thermoset resins Plastics Engineering Plexiglas acrylic AtoHaas (Rohm & Haas)
Pliovic vinyl Goodyear
PMC melamine formaldehyde Sun Coast
Pocan polyester (PBT) Albis
Polifil reinforced polyolefins Polifil
Polyfabs ABS A. Schulman
Polyfil Polyfil
Polyfine Tokutama Soda
Polyflam flame retardant thermoplastic A. Schulman
Polyflon fluoropolymer Dailtin
Polyfort polypropylene, polyethylene A. Schulman
Polylac ABS Chi Mei Industrial
Polyman ABS Alloy A. Schulman
Polypur reinforced or alloyed TPE A. Schulman
Polytron PVC alloy Geon
Polytrope TP elastomer A. Schulman
Polyvin PVC A. Schulman
Porene ABS Thai Petrochemical
Premi-glas glass reinforced SMC Premix
Premi-ject thick molding compound Premix (thermoset)
Prevail ABS/polyurethane Dow Plastics
Prevex PPE GE Plastics Primef PPS Solvay
Prism polyurethane RIM Bayer
Polyvin PVC A. Schulman
Primacor EAA copolymer Dow Plastics
Pro-Fax polyolefins Montell
Propak polypropylene PolyPacific
Pulse polycarbonate/ABS Dow Plastics
R
RTP RTP
Radel polyether sulfone Amoco Performance Products
Radiflam nylon FR Radicinovacips
Radilon nylon 6 Radicinovacips
Radipol nylon 6/6 Radicinovacips
Reny nylon 6/6 Mitsubishi
Replay polystyrene Huntsman
Reprean ethylene copolymer Discas
Resinoid thermoset resins Resinoid
Retain PE Dow Plastics
Rexene thermoplastic resin Rexene
Rexfiex polypropylene Rexene
Rilsan rotational molding resins Atochem
Rimplast TP elastomer Huls
Rimtec vinyl Rimtec Riteflex TP elastomer Hoechst-Celanese
Rogers thermoset resins Rogers
Ronfalin ABS DSM
Rynite polyester (PET.PBT) DuPont
Ryton PPS Phillips Chemical
S
Sabre PC+PET Dow Plastics
Santoprene TPE, TPO Advanced Elastomer Sys.
Saran vinylidine chloride Dow Plastics
Sarlink TPE, TPO DSM
Satinflex PVC Alpha Gary
Schulaflex flexible elastomers A. Schulman
Schulamid nylon 6, 66 A. Schulman
Schulink cross-linkable HDPE A. Schulman
Sclair polyethylene Nova Chemicals
Selar nylon, PET DuPont
Shell polyolefins Shell
Shinite PBT Shinkong
Sinkral ABS EniChem
Sinvet polycarbonate EniChem
Soarnol EVA copolymer Nichimen
Solef PVDF Solvay Polymers
Solvic PVC Solvay Polymers Spectar polyester copolymer Eastman
Stanyl nylon 46 DSM
Stanuloy PC.PET blend (recycled) MRC Polymers
Stapron ABS+PC, SMA DSM
Stat-Kon static dissipative material LNP
Stat-Loy static dissipative material LNP
Stereon styrene/butadiene bl. Firestone copolymer
Stypol thermoset resin Cook Composites
Styrafil filled styrenes DSM
Styron PS Dow Plastics
Styropor PS BASF
Sumiplex acrylic Sumitomo
Sunprene PVC elastomer A. Schulman
Suntra PPS Sunkyong Industries
Supec PPS GE Plastics
Superkleen PVC Alpha Gary
Suprel ABS/PVC Vista Chemical
Surlyn Ionomer DuPont
Synprene TP elastomer Synergistics Industries
T
Technyl nylon 66 Rhone-Poulenc
Tecoflex PUR Thermidics Tecothane PUR Thermidics
Tedur PPS Albis
Teflon fluoropolymer DuPont
Tefzel PE-TFE fluoropolymerDuPont
Tekron TP elastomer Teknor Apex
Telcar TP elastomer Teknor Apex
Telcar TP elastomer Teknor Apex
Tempalloy high temperature resin ComAlloy
TempRite CPVCBF Goodrich
Tenac acetal Ashai
Tenite polyolefin, cellulosic, CAB Eastman
Terluran ABS BASF
Terlux MABS BASF
Texalon nylon Texapol
Texapol Texapol
Texin polyurethane Bayer
Thermex heat dissipative materials ComAlloy
Thermocomp glass, carbon fiber LNP reinforced
Thermx copolyester Eastman
Tone PCL Union Carbide
Tonen TCA Plastics
Topalloy TCA Plastics
Topas cycloolefin copolymer Hoechst-Celanese Topex PBT Tong Yang Nylon
Toplex polycarbonate/ABS Multibase
Toray PBT Toray Industries
Torlon polyamide-imide Amoco Polymers
Toyolac ABS, polycarbonate /ABS Toray Industries
TPX polymethylpentene (PMP) Mitsui
Trefsin TP elastomer Advanced Elastomer Sys.
Triax polycarbonate/ABS, ANS/ Nylon Bayer
Tribit PBT Sam Yang
Triloy PC+PBT, ABS+PC Sam Yang
Trirex PC Sam Yang
Tufrex ABS Bayer
Typlax Typlax
Tyril SAN Dow Plastics
U
Ube Ube Industries
Udel PSO Amoco Performance Products
Ultem polyetherimide GE Plastics
Ultradur polyester (PBT) BASF
Ultraform acetal BASF
Ultramid nylon BASF
Ultrapek PAEK BASF Industries
T
Technyl nylon 66 Rhone-Poulenc
Tecoflex PUR Thermidics
Tecothane PUR Thermidics
Tedur PPS Albis
Teflon fluoropolymer DuPont
Tefzel PE-TFE fluoropolymerDuPont
Tekron TP elastomer Teknor Apex
Telcar TP elastomer Teknor Apex
Telcar TP elastomer Teknor Apex
Tempalloy high temperature resin ComAlloy
TempRite CPVCBF Goodrich
Tenac acetal Ashai
Tenite polyolefin, cellulosic, CAB Eastman
Terluran ABS BASF
Terlux MABS BASF
Texalon nylon Texapol
Texapol Texapol
Texin polyurethane Bayer
Thermex heat dissipative materials ComAlloy
Thermocomp glass, carbon fiber LNP reinforced Thermx copolyester Eastman
Tone PCL Union Carbide
Tonen TCA Plastics
Topalloy TCA Plastics
Topas cycloolefin copolymer Hoechst-Celanese
Topex PBT Tong Yang Nylon
Toplex polycarbonate/ABS Multibase
Toray PBT Toray Industries
Torlon polyamide-imide Amoco Polymers
Toyolac ABS, polycarbonate
/ABS Toray Industries
TPX polymethylpentene (PMP) Mitsui Trefsin TP elastomer Advanced Elastomer
Sys.
Triax polycarbonate / ABS ,
ANS/ Nylon Bayer
Tribit PBT Sam Yang
Triloy PC+PBT, ABS+PC Sam Yang
Trirex PC Sam Yang
Tufrex ABS Bayer
Typlax Typlax
Tyril SAN Dow Plastics
U
Ube Ube Industries Udel PSO Amoco Performance Products
Ultem polyetherimide GE Plastics
Ultradur polyester (PBT) BASF
Ultraform acetal BASF
Ultramid nylon BASF
Ultrapek PAEK BASF
Ultrason - E polyether sulfone (PES) BASF
Ultrason - S polysulfone (PSO) BASF
Ultrastyr ABS Enichem America
Ultrathene EVA copolymer Quantum
Unichem PVC Color ite Plastics
Unival polyethylene Union Carbide
V
Valox polyester (PBT, PET, PCT) GE Plastics
Valtec Montell
Valtra polystyrene Chevron Chemical
Vandar polyester alloy Hoechst-Celanese
Vector SBS, SIS Dexco Polymers
Vectra liquid crystal polymer Hoechst-Celanese
Verton long fiber reinforced LNP
Vespel polyimide DuPont
Vestamid nylon Huls Victrex PEEKICI Advanced Materials
Vista vinyl Vista Chemical
VistaFlex TP elastomer Advanced Elastomer Sys.
Vistel PVC Vista Chemical
Vitax ASA Hitachi Chemical
Voloy flame retardant materials ComAlloy
Vybex polyester Ferro
Vydyne nylon Monsanto
Vyram TP elastomer Advanced Elastomer Sys.
Vythene PVC+PUR Alpha Gary
Wellamid nylon Wellman
WPP PP Washington Penn
X
Xenoy polycarbonate /polyester GE Plastics
XT-Polymer acrylic copolymer Cyro Industries
Xydar liquid crystal polymer Amoco Polymers
Z
Zemid PE, HDPE DuPont Canada
Zenite LCP DuPont
Zeonex polymethylpentene (PMP) Nippon Zeon Zylar acrylic copolymer Novacor
Zytel nylon DuPont
The present invention has been described in detail, including the preferred embodiments thereof. However, it will be appreciated that those skilled in the art, upon consideration of the present disclosure, may make modifications and/ or improvements on this invention and still be within the scope and spirit of this invention as set forth in the following claims.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:
1. A method of protecting teeth from decay comprising the steps of: a. etching the teeth; b. applying one or more protective substances to the etched teeth; and c. sealing the protected teeth.
2. A method of protecting teeth from decay comprising the steps of: a. etching the teeth; and b. applying one or more self-sealing protective substances to the etched teeth.
3. The method of claims 1 or 2, wherein the protective substance further includes at least one colorant material for changing the color of the teeth.
4. The method of Claim 1 or 2, wherein the protective substance comprises a polymer material.
5. The method of Claim 1 or 2, wherein the protective substance comprises a ceramic material.
6. A method of protecting teeth from decay comprising the steps of: a. the dental tissue is etched and dried; b. a protective polymer or ceramic material is applied to the etched dental tissue; and c. a laser beam or flame is used to melt the protective material into each tooth. AMENDED CLAIMS [received by the International Bureau on 9 December 1999 (09.12.99); original claims 1-6 replaced by new claims 1-7 (1 page)]
1. A method of protecting a tooth from decay/ restoring a tooth or painting a tooth, comprising the steps of:
a. etching at least one section of said tooth; b. drying said etched tooth? c. coating said etched and dried tooth sections with one or more protective and/or restorative preformed polymeric or nαn-hydroxyapatite ceramic substances, wherein said substances may alβo contain a colorant material; and, d. sealing said etched, dried and coated tooth.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein said preformed polymeric substance is a thermoplastic.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein said coating substance is in the form of a powder.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein said coating is applied by spraying or electrophoresis.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein said sealing is produced by a heat source.
6. The method of claim 4, wherein said heat source is selected from the group consisting of a laser, a flame and a hot air stream.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein said coating is self- sealing. STATEMENT UNDER ARTICLE 19 (1)
The elements in substitute claim 1 that distinguish over the Ferrace reference are: (i) the claimed invention uses a preformed polymeric coating (Ferrace produces a polymer only in situ ; and (ii) the claimed invention has an option of a colorant in the coating, whereas Ferrace does not mention coloring.
The elements in substitute claim 1 that diεtinguishe over the Stewart reference are: (i) the claimed invention specifically excludes hydroxyapatite, whereas Stewart's coating is limited to hydroxyapatite; and (ii) Stewart also does not mention a colorant.
PCT/US1999/017879 1998-08-10 1999-08-06 Dental treatment methods WO2000009030A1 (en)

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AU53420/99A AU5342099A (en) 1998-08-10 1999-08-06 Dental treatment methods
CA002310818A CA2310818A1 (en) 1998-08-10 1999-08-06 Dental treatment methods
EP99939061A EP1027007A4 (en) 1998-08-10 1999-08-06 Dental treatment methods

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

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US9612298P 1998-08-10 1998-08-10
US60/096,122 1998-08-10
US14452199P 1999-07-19 1999-07-19
US60/144,521 1999-07-19

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EP2108357A1 (en) * 2008-04-11 2009-10-14 Ernst Mühlbauer GmbH & Co.KG Conditioning agent for the etching of enamel lesions
EP2108356A1 (en) * 2008-04-11 2009-10-14 Ernst Mühlbauer GmbH & Co.KG Conditioning agent for the etching of enamel lesions
MD582Z (en) * 2012-07-09 2013-08-31 Государственный Медицинский И Фармацевтический Университет "Nicolae Testemitanu" Республики Молдова Method for preventing the dental caries in children with intellectual disabilities
US8853297B2 (en) 2006-05-11 2014-10-07 Charite Universitatsmedizin Berlin Method and means for infiltrating enamel lesions
DE102016123345B3 (en) 2016-12-02 2018-05-09 Tilman Kraus Device for drying tooth or bone surfaces
US12059315B2 (en) 2022-09-08 2024-08-13 Enamel Pure Systems and methods for estimating a trend associated with dental tissue

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Cited By (18)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US7495037B2 (en) 2003-08-29 2009-02-24 Ivoclar Vivadent Ag Dental coating materials
DE202006020480U1 (en) 2006-05-11 2008-09-04 Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin Enamel infiltration kit
DE202006020479U1 (en) 2006-05-11 2008-09-04 Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin Enamel infiltration kit
DE202006020483U1 (en) 2006-05-11 2008-09-11 Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin Enamel infiltration kit
DE202006020477U1 (en) 2006-05-11 2008-10-09 Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin Use of an infiltrant for the treatment or prevention of caries lesions
DE202006020476U1 (en) 2006-05-11 2008-10-09 Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin Infiltrant for the dental application
US8853297B2 (en) 2006-05-11 2014-10-07 Charite Universitatsmedizin Berlin Method and means for infiltrating enamel lesions
WO2009124672A1 (en) * 2008-04-11 2009-10-15 Ernst Mühlbauer Gmbh & Co. Kg Conditioning agent for the corrosion of enamel lesions
EP2108356A1 (en) * 2008-04-11 2009-10-14 Ernst Mühlbauer GmbH & Co.KG Conditioning agent for the etching of enamel lesions
WO2009124671A1 (en) * 2008-04-11 2009-10-15 Ernst Mühlbauer Gmbh & Co. Kg Conditioning agent for the corrosion of enamel lesions
EP2108357A1 (en) * 2008-04-11 2009-10-14 Ernst Mühlbauer GmbH & Co.KG Conditioning agent for the etching of enamel lesions
MD582Z (en) * 2012-07-09 2013-08-31 Государственный Медицинский И Фармацевтический Университет "Nicolae Testemitanu" Республики Молдова Method for preventing the dental caries in children with intellectual disabilities
DE102016123345B3 (en) 2016-12-02 2018-05-09 Tilman Kraus Device for drying tooth or bone surfaces
WO2018100056A1 (en) 2016-12-02 2018-06-07 Rainer Tilse Device for drying tooth or bone surfaces
US11565125B2 (en) 2016-12-02 2023-01-31 Rainer Tilse Device for drying tooth or bone surfaces
US12059315B2 (en) 2022-09-08 2024-08-13 Enamel Pure Systems and methods for estimating a trend associated with dental tissue
US12059316B2 (en) 2022-09-08 2024-08-13 Enamel Pure Systems and methods for dental treatment and verification
US12251282B2 (en) 2022-09-08 2025-03-18 Enamel Pure Systems and methods for dental treatment and remote oversight

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EP1027007A1 (en) 2000-08-16
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CA2310818A1 (en) 2000-02-24

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