METHOD FOR ENHANCED REMINERALIZATION OF TEETH

Abstract

A method for the treatment of teeth which comprises enhancing transport of substances through the tooth enamel by generating a gaseous plasma in proximity to the tooth.

Claims

1. A method for the treatment of teeth comprising: placing substances on or adjacent to the surface of the tooth enamel; enhancing the transport of those substances through the tooth enamel by generating a gaseous plasma in proximity to the tooth.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the treatment comprises remineralization of the tooth.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the gaseous plasma is a dielectric barrier discharge.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the method includes: placing a dielectric coated electrode in proximity to the teeth; applying a voltage signal to generate a dielectric barrier discharge in air between the teeth and the electrode.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the method includes: placing a dielectric coated electrode between adjacent teeth; applying a voltage signal to generate a dielectric barrier discharge in air between the teeth and the electrode.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the method includes applying substances containing one or more of fluoride, calcium or phosphate to human or animal teeth in order to remineralize the tooth.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0039] The invention is more fully described, by way of non-limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0040] FIG. 1 is a substitute circuit diagram of DBD application to a tooth;

[0041] FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram for generation of DBD;

[0042] FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic representation illustrating the method of the invention;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0043] FIG. 1 shows a simplified circuit diagram illustrating the general principles of the invention, where: V represents a pulsed high voltage; C.sub.gap is the capacitance of the gap between the electrode and the treated tooth; C.sub.body represents the capacitance of the treated body; and R.sub.DBD represents the resistance of DBD discharge.

[0044] As the human or animal body is predominantly made of water, the tissue dielectric constant is sufficiently high to create DBD between the device electrode and the tooth. Most of the applied voltage appears across the DBD gap between the electrode and the tooth but the electrical current is held at a safe level. Such an arrangement is usually described as a Floating Electrode Dielectric Barrier Discharge (FEDBD), as a ground connection is not necessary. The low temperature, low current and non-destructive nature of the discharge renders this methodology safe for use on patients.

[0045] FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a circuit diagram 2, which can be used to generate and apply the DBD. The circuit includes a high voltage ignition coil driver 3, which controls the voltage output from a high voltage coil HVC, between a high voltage terminal hv and a low voltage terminal lv. An electrode 4 and capacitor C are connected in parallel to the high voltage coil though a spark gap W. A second spark gap S is provided between the capacitor and ground. T represents the treated tooth and DBD indicates the location of the dielectric barrier discharge. Grounding of tooth T is not necessary and such an optional connection 5 is shown as a dashed line.

[0046] The dielectric covering the electrode 4 may be formed of one or more dielectric coatings. In that regard, the dielectric may be formed of any suitable material such as ceramics, Kapton tape, quartz, glass, polyether ether ketone (PEEK), polypropylene or the like, with a high electric breakdown strength and low dielectric loss.

[0047] The device is preferably tunable by adjusting the properties of the driving impulse from the high voltage coil driver 3, such as the amplitude, frequency, duty cycle, waveform, etc. More crudely, the spark gaps, which define the distance between the spark gap electrodes, can be adjusted.

[0048] The device could also be tuned by changing the DC power supply voltage of the driver and/or coil driving voltage. Alternatively, other elements of the circuit could be varied such as the electrode, spark gaps, coil or capacitor, which would also affect the behavior of the device.

[0049] The device has been described simply for the purpose of illustration and other circuits could instead be used, provided the circuit is capable of generating DBD when the electrode is placed in close proximity to a treated tooth a tooth in need of treatment.

[0050] A more advanced version of the device could contain auto-tuning hardware and/or software to optimize the discharge.

[0051] Furthermore, a direct (DC) or alternating (AC) bias voltage can be applied using an auxiliary electrode, which is, ideally, electrically separated from the DBD electrode. Such electrode can be touching the tooth directly, or be separated from the tooth. The electrode could be placed remotely from the DBD electrode, for example within the handheld part of the chassis of the device to provide electrical bias or ground connection to the patient's body, or in close proximity to the DBD electrode, for example around the DBD electrode or within the DBD electrode area of the device.

[0052] Such auxiliary electrode may be used to limit or expand the treated area, as the electrical field or current created by the auxiliary electrode could inhibit or promote transport of specific ions on the surface of the tooth enamel or within the enamel.

[0053] Importantly though, the discharge will always be a pattern of micro-discharges, characteristic of DBD so that there is no spark generation, which might cause discomfort or injury. As such, the invention is non-destructive and safe to use. To protect against spark generation, the electrode is coated in a dielectric material, which ensures the discharge is always DBD.

[0054] With the above in mind, the device is operated with short pulses of high voltage and long breaks in between, which means the duty cycle is low compared to a continuous sinusoidal signal. Accordingly, the power required to generate a DBD is minimal, which further renders the device safe for use on patients.

[0055] The described circuits are set up to operate with filamental DBD. However, any other similar type of discharge will suffice. For example, a uniform DBD discharge or any other suitable form of atmospheric pressure glow discharge will suffice.

[0056] In either case the device, or at least the electrode 4, is preferably portable and hand

[0057] As described above, DBD could be created between the device electrode and the treated tooth only when there is a gas, preferably air, present between the electrode and the tooth.

[0058] A substantially not flat electrode can be used. FIG. 3 illustrates an example of a curved electrode 4. While electrode 4 may be directly in contact with the surface of the tooth to be treated 6 while a signal is applied from the device, DBD will be created in the air above the treated tooth, indicated by reference numeral 7, at locations adjacent to the contact area between the electrode and the tooth, where the electrode is in close proximity to the tooth.

[0059] Moreover, the electrode 4 may be substantially not flat, for example curved, dented, corrugated, pitted, perforated or similar, only locally, creating a number of areas where DBD is present.

[0060] Furthermore, the electrode 4 may consist of a number of electrodes.

[0061] To apply the DBD to a larger area, or to improve the uniformity of the treatment, a suitably sized and portable electrode 4 could be moved along, in contact or in close proximity to, the surface of the tooth 6.

[0062] In particular, the electrode 4 may be of shape of a wire or a thin tape, resembling a dental floss or tape. In one embodiment, such electrode may be made of copper wire 0.1-0.5 mm thick, covered with polyether ether ketone (PEEK). Such electrode might be placed between the teeth to remineralize the enamel on the adjacent interstitial areas of the teeth where tooth decay is frequently initiated.