Method and apparatus for preventing plaque, calculus, and hard deposits in body cavities and the mouth

Abstract

A method and apparatus, for treating plaque and calculus in the mouth cavityparticularly on teethare disclosed. The apparatusand accordingly the methodis comprised of introducing at least one first-component comprising a material with a redox potential for preventing anions precipitation; and introducing at least one second-component comprising a material with a redox potential for preventing cations precipitation.

Claims

1. A method for treating plaque and calculus in the oral cavity comprising: placing at least one first unit comprising a material with a redox potential for inhibiting anion precipitation in a self-supporting attachment to at least one tooth and/or gingivae in the oral cavity; and, placing at least one second unit comprising a material with a redox potential for inhibiting cation precipitation in a self-supporting attachment to at least one tooth and/or gingivae in the oral cavity; in proximity to the at least one first unit; the proximity corresponding to a distance between the at least one first unit and the at least one second unit to cause the redox potentials of the materials change to produce non-precipitant compounds.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one first unit and the at least one second unit are on one side of a sticker, with the other side of the sticker including adhesive for the self-supporting attachment of the at least one first unit and the at least one second unit, to the at least one tooth and/or gingivae in the oral cavity.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the material of the at least one first unit includes metals.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the metals are selected from the group consisting of: gold, zinc, copper, mercury, and alloys thereof.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the material of the at least one second unit includes metal salts.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the metal salts include at least one metal, the metal selected from the group consisting of: gold, platinum, zinc, copper, and magnesium.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Attention is now directed to the drawings, where like reference numerals or characters indicate corresponding or like components. In the drawings:

(2) FIG. 1 is an apparatus in accordance with the present invention in an example operation; and,

(3) FIG. 2 is an alternative apparatus in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(4) Attention is now directed to FIG. 1. The apparatus 11 is shown, for example, a sticker that is attached to one or more teeth 10, typically on the inner side. The teeth 10 may include, for example, one of the lower incisors. The illustrated sticker 11 is with two units, a first unit 12a, which is made of an alloy of gold, zinc, copper and mercury, and a second unit 12b, which is made of gold salts, platinum salts, zinc salts, copper salts and magnesium salts. The materials of the units are react as described above and treat plaque and calculus-prevents precipitation and reverse the existing precipitations.

(5) FIG. 2 shows the apparatus 11 where a controller 13 has been added to the apparatus 11. The controller 13 functions in cases that the materials are slowly released, the releasing rate can be controlled by the controller 13 according to predetermined criteria. In a preferred embodiment the controller 13 can use a cathodic protection methods.

(6) While the present invention has been described, so as to enable one of skill in the art to practice the present invention, the preceding description is intended to be exemplary only. It should not be used to limit the scope of the invention, which should be determined by reference to the following claims.