A kit includes a multi-phase oral composition for whitening teeth and an electromagnetic radiation source. The multi-phase oral composition for whitening teeth includes from about 0.002% to about 30%, by weight of the multi-phase oral composition, of a discontinuous aqueous phase having a bleaching agent, where a concentration of the bleaching agent is up to 10%, by weight of the multi-phase oral composition, and at least about 50%, by weight of the multi-phase oral composition, of a continuous hydrophobic phase of petrolatum. The electromagnetic radiation source is capable of directing electromagnetic radiation with one or more wavelength in the range from about 200 nm to about 1700 nm toward at least one tooth. The electromagnetic radiation source emits electromagnetic radiation in a range from about 100 mW/cm.sup.2 to about 250 mW/cm.sup.2.

Zinc-fluoride compositions, dental articles comprising zinc-fluoride compositions, and methods for reducing bacteria on a tooth surface and/or remineralizing a tooth surface are described.

Automated devices for detecting and removing dental biofilms are described herein. In some embodiments, the disclosed subject matter includes a device for administering a suspension comprising iron oxide nanoparticles to teeth to chemically treat and mechanically remove dental biofilms. In some embodiments, disclosed subject matter includes a device for administering a suspension comprising iron oxide nanoparticles and hydrogen peroxide to teeth to kill bacteria within a biofilm matrix and degrade the biofilm matrix and assembling the iron oxide nanoparticles into autonomous magnetic bristles or antimicrobial robots to mechanically remove biofilm. Devices and methods for real-time detection of dental plaque and monitoring of removal of dental plaque are also disclosed herein.

A method of whitening teeth that decreases the amount of time that the whitening composition is in contact with the teeth. Specifically, by pretreating the whitening composition with light before contacting the teeth with the whitening composition, the amount of time that the whitening composition needs to be in contact with the teeth can be reduced. In one aspect, the method may include dispensing a tooth whitening composition from a reservoir device into a channel of a mouth tray; activating an electromagnetic radiation source to emit light onto the tooth whitening composition in the channel of the mouth tray for a first period of time to pretreat the tooth whitening composition; and inserting the mouth tray into the oral cavity of the user so that the user's teeth are in contact with the tooth whitening composition in the channel for a second period of time to whiten the teeth.

A device to deliver an oral care substance to a tooth surface or a gingival tissue surface includes a body and an oral care substance. The body is orally acceptable and malleable, including beeswax and having a first surface configured to be applied to the tooth surface and/or the adjoining gingival tissue surface. The first surface is configured to adhere to the tooth surface and/or the adjoining gingival tissue surface. The oral care substance is deposited on the first surface and/or impregnated into the body, the substance being configured to contact the tooth surface and/or the adjoining gingival tissue surface.

Multi-phase oral care compositions for whitening teeth including hydrophilic bleaching agent particles in a hydrophobic phase with a cone penetration consistency value of from about 25 to about 300. The hydrophilic bleaching agent particles can include peroxide compounds and/or hydrogen peroxide adducts. The hydrophilic bleaching agent particle can have a solubility in water of at least about 20 parts, by weight of the particles, in about 100 parts, by weight, of water.

In one aspect, embodiments relate to a system for preventative dental laser treatment that ensures even irradiation of a laser beam. The system includes, a laser arrangement configured to generate the laser beam. The laser beam has one or more of a super-Gaussian energy profile and a transverse ring mode. The system also includes a focus optic. The focus optic is configured to converge the laser beam with a numerical aperture of 0.1 or less to a focal region. The system also includes a hand piece configured to direct the laser beam at a surface of a dental hard tissue. The system additionally includes a controller. The controller is configured to control one or more parameters of the laser source, such that a portion of the surface of the dental hard tissue is heated to a temperature in a range between 400° Celsius and 1300° Celsius.

An oral varnish comprising a combination of two different viscosity dimethicone components, wherein the difference between the two different viscosity dimethicone components is about 2.0 million cP or greater; and comprising at least one active ingredient, which is preferably a fluoride donor.

Oral treatment devices formed from wax-based compositions that are thermally stable when formed into a three-dimensional shape to a temperature of at least 45° C. and plastically deformable at room temperature (25° C.). The wax-based compositions include a wax fraction homogeneously blended with a polymer fraction. The wax fraction includes at least one wax. The polymer fraction includes at least one polymer selected such that, when the wax and polymer are homogeneously blended together, they yield a wax-based composition having the desired properties of thermal stability and plastic deformability. Oral treatment devices are dimensionally stable to a temperature of at least 40° C. without external support and can be plastically deformed in a user's mouth to become at least partially customized to the size and shape of user's unique dentition and/or an appliance in a user's mouth.

An oral gel composition suitable for the treatment of oral leukoplakia comprising a combination of diclofenac with hyaluronic acid and methods of administering the oral gel that may include a device that prolongs contact time of the oral gel with the areas of the mucosa that are affected by oral leukoplakia.