Method of, and system for smoothing teeth

Abstract

A method of smoothing teeth by, for instance, filling in cracks, chips and eroded areas by applying calcium and/or casein and/or phosphate and a source of OH.sup.− ions thereto. The method optionally provides that very thin layer(s) of dental cement be interlaced with other applied materials, and that the results be maintained in contact with the teeth involved by application of a composition of matter that adheres to said teeth and holds the results in place, while allowing at least some permeation of saliva therethrough. The method can optionally involve application of a backing strip or tray or the like to secure the other materials in place, but this is not a requirement where the composition of matter is sufficiently securing.

Claims

1. A method of smoothing teeth consisting of the steps: a) providing at least one tooth that is to be smoothed; practicing steps b) and c), or b) and c) and d) sequentially in the order as listed, or simultaneously via first mixing the components in steps b) and c), or b) and c) and d), respectively and then practicing said steps as a single step; b) applying a calcium powder or calcium containing composition to an area on said at least one tooth that is to be smoothed; c) applying a composition of matter that, when contacted by saliva provides OH.sup.− ions to said area on said at least one tooth that is to be smoothed, over said calcium powder or calcium containing composition; d) applying a composition of matter that adheres to teeth and serves as a barrier between teeth and gums and oral environment to said area of said at least one tooth that has had a calcium powder or calcium containing composition and the composition of matter that, when contacted by saliva provides OH.sup.− ions, said composition of matter serving to retain said calcium powder or calcium containing composition and the composition of matter that, when contacted by saliva provides OH.sup.− ions, in place without requiring use of a backing strip; e) maintaining the result of practicing steps a)-c) for at least one hour; and f) repeating at least steps b)-d).

2. A method as in claim 1, in which said calcium powder or calcium containing composition comprises, in addition to calcium, phosphate, independently or as calcium phosphate; and/or in which casein, which comprises at least one amino acid, is also applied, in mixture with said calcium powder or calcium containing composition, or sequential thereto so that both calcium and casein are present prior to step c).

3. A method as in claim 1, which prior to step b) or after step c), involves application of dental cement layer to a depth of less than a millimeter.

4. A method as in claim 1, in which method provides that said calcium or calcium containing composition of matter, and said composition of matter that when contacted by saliva provides OH.sup.− ions, are secured within a “U” shaped element that at least partially encompasses said at least one tooth.

5. A method as in claim 1 wherein said calcium powder or calcium containing composition and said composition of matter that, when contacted by saliva provides OH.sup.− ions are mixed together, and wherein said mixture is contained in, along with said composition of matter that adheres to teeth and serves as a barrier between teeth and gums and oral environment, are applied from a single container which provides separate access to said mixture of: said calcium powder or calcium containing composition and said composition of matter that when contacted by saliva provides OH.sup.− ions, and said composition of matter that adheres to teeth and serves as a barrier between teeth and gums and oral environment.

6. A method as in claim 1, in which the composition of matter that, when contacted by saliva provides OH.sup.− ions; is selected from the group consisting of: sodium bicarbonate; and potassium bicarbonate; and in which the composition of matter that adheres to teeth and serves as a barrier between teeth and gums and oral environment; comprises at least one selection from the group consisting of: beeswax; honey; gum; lanolin; tallow; carnuba; candelilla; soy; ceresin; montan; paraffin; ethylenic polymers; chlorinated naphthalenes; Fisher-Tropsch; castor wax; glycowax; carnuba wax; and optionally comprises at least one oil selected from the group consisting of: castor oil; almond oil; cashew oil; hazelnut oil; macadamia oil; pecan oil; pistachio oil; walnut oil; coconut oil; corn oil; cottonseed oil; canola oil; olive oil; palm oil; peanut oil; safflower oil; sesame oil; soybean oil; sunflower oil; acia oil; blackcurrant oil; borage oil; evening primrose oil; amaranth oil; apricot oil; argan oil; avocado oil; babassu oil; ben oil from moringa oleifera; carob oil; coriander seed oil; false flax oil from coriander seeds; grape seed oil; hemp oil; meadowfoam seed oil; mustard oil; okra seed oil; perilla seed oil; pine seed oil; poppyseed oil; prune kernel oil; pumpkinseed oil; quinoa oil; ramtil oil; rice bran oil; thistle oil; wheat germ oil; radish oil; rapeseed oil; cod oil; and optionally at least one selection from the group consisting of: oils; fragrances; preservatives; flavoring; colorings; medicinals; and decay inhibiting materials; and optionally further consists of at least one selection from the group: almond flavoring; beef flavoring; chicken flavoring; turkey flavoring; lamb flavoring; fish flavoring; liver flavoring; egg flavoring; dairy flavoring; mint flavoring; orange flavoring.

7. A method of smoothing teeth comprising the steps of: a) providing an area of at least one tooth to be smoothed; b) applying to said area of said at least one tooth that is to be smoothed, a composition of matter that consists of at least one selection from the group consisting of: b1) dental cement layer to a depth of less than a millimeter; and b2) a composition of matter that adheres to teeth and serves as a barrier between teeth and gums and oral environment; and at least one selection from the group consisting of: b3) a composition of matter that, when contacted by saliva provides OH.sup.− ions; b4) a composition of matter that comprises bio-available calcium and optional phosphate containing composition of matter; b5) a powdered casein containing composition of matter; and b6) a powdered calcium containing composition of matter; in an order that encourages the at least one selection from the group b3), b4), b5) and b6) to be retained by the at least one selection from the group consisting of b1) and b2) in contact with said area of said at least one tooth to be smoothed; c) maintaining the scenario of at least two selections achieved in step b) for at least half an hour; and d) repeating steps b) and c).

8. A method as in claim 7 wherein b1), b2) b3), b4), b5) and b6) are selected, said method comprising: a′) applying a b1) layer of dental cement to a depth of less than one millimeter; b′) applying b3), b4), b5) and b6), as selected from the group consisting of: a mixture of b3), b5) and b6); a mixture of b3), b4) and b5); a mixture of b3) and b4); c′) applying b2); d′) maintaining the result of practicing steps a′)-c′) for at least one hour; and e′) repeating steps a′)-d′).

9. A method as in claim 7 wherein: a′ b2), b3) and b4) are selected, and wherein b4) and b3) are applied sequentially in the recited order, or mixed together, in ratios selected from the group consisting of: a1′) approximately ½ b4) and ½ b3) by volume or the equivalent by weight; a2′) approximately ⅗ b4) and ⅖ b3) by volume or the equivalent by weight; a3′) approximately ⅘ b4) and ⅕ b3) by volume or the equivalent by weight; b′) applying b2) to secure said b4) and b3) in place; c′) maintaining the result of practicing steps a′)-d)′ for at least one hour; and d′) repeating steps a′)-c′).

10. A method as in claim 7 wherein b3), b5) and b6) are selected and present in amounts selected from the group consisting of: b3), b5) and b6) are each approximately equal ⅓ parts of a total amount by volume, or the equivalent by weight, b5) and b6) are each approximately equal ⅖ parts with b3) being present in a lesser ⅕ part of the total by volume, or the equivalent by weight, and b6) is approximately 3/6, b5) approximately in a 2/6 and b3) approximately ⅙ of the total by volume, or the equivalent by weight; said selected amounts of b3), b5) and b6) being mixed together with the result then being applied to said area of said at least one tooth that is to be smoothed, followed by selected application of b1) or b2) such that it serves to maintain contact of the mixed together b3), b5) and b6) with said area of said at least one tooth that as to be smoothed.

11. A method as in claim 7, in which step b) involves selection of the b1) dental cement layer to a depth of less than a millimeter, and wherein said b1) dental cement layer is applied in at least one order selected from the group consisting of: a′) before at least one selection from b3)-b6); and b′) after at least one selection from b3)-b6).

12. A method as in claim 7 wherein b2), and the mixture of: b3), b5) and b6) or b3); b4) and b5); or b3) and b4); is selected, and wherein the mixture of b3), b5) and b6), or b4) and b5) and b3) or b4) and b2), are contained in and applied from a single container which provides separate access to the mixture of the mixture of; b3), b5) and b6); or b4) and b5) and b3); or b4); and the b2).

13. A method as in claim 7, consisting of: a) at least one selection from the group consisting of: b4); b5; and b6); is applied to said area of said tooth to be smoothed; b) a b3) composition of matter is applied to said area of said tooth to be smoothed; c) a b2) composition is applied is applied to said area of said tooth to be smoothed; d) maintaining the result of practicing steps a)-c) for at least one hour; and e) repeating steps b)-d).

14. A method as in claim 7, in which a composition of matter comprising b3) and at least one selection from the group consisting of: b4); b5); and b6); is secured within a “U” shaped element that at least partially encompasses said at least one tooth.

15. A method as in claim 7 in which step b) comprises selecting and applying at least one of b4, b5) and b6), separately or a mixture where two are selected, and wherein said b2) is also selected and applied to aid with securing said b4), b5) and/or b6) in place.

16. A method as in claim 7, in which the step b) involves the selections of b2) and b3) being applied in sequence or simultaneously as a mixture.

17. A method as in claim 7, in which the step b) involves the selections of b4) and b3) being applied in sequence, or simultaneously as a mixture, followed by b2).

18. A method as in claim 7, in which the step b) involves the selections of b5) and b3) being applied in sequence or simultaneously as a mixture, followed by b2).

19. A method as in claim 7, in which the step b) involves the selections of b6) and b3) being applied in sequence or simultaneously as a mixture, followed by b2).

20. A method of smoothing teeth comprising the steps of: a) providing an area of at least one tooth to be smoothed; b) applying a composition of matter to said area of said at least one tooth comprising a selection from the group consisting of: b1) a mixture of 50% calcium powder and 50% sodium or potassium bicarbonate, by volume or equivalent by weight; b2) a mixture of at least 50% calcium powder and at least 25% sodium or potassium bicarbonate and up to 25% casein that comprises at least one amino acid, all by volume or equivalent by weight; b4) a mixture of at least 50% calcium phosphate and at least 25% sodium or potassium bicarbonate, and up to 25% casein that comprises at least one amino acid, all by volume or equivalent by weight; c) maintaining the scenario of achieved in step b) for at least a few minutes; and d) repeating steps b) and c).

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0804] FIG. 1A shows a Chap-Stick type tubular container for composition.

[0805] FIG. 1B shows a tubular container containing both calcium and/or casein containing and substantially not calcium and/or casein containing compositions of matter, one centrally and one surrounding said central location.

[0806] FIG. 1C shows a tubular container containing both calcium and/or casein containing and substantially not calcium and/or casein containing compositions of matter, one on one side of a diameter and one on the other side of said diameter.

[0807] FIG. 2 shows a stick of composition material that can be applied to teeth.

[0808] FIG. 3 demonstrates a tub of composition from which a person can apply composition by use of fingers.

[0809] FIG. 4 demonstrates use of an applicator held by fingers to apply composition.

[0810] FIG. 5 demonstrates application of composition via a spray.

[0811] FIG. 6 demonstrates application of composition by syringe.

[0812] FIG. 7 demonstrates application of a composition of matter via applying a form-fit “U” shaped element containing said calcium and/or casein containing composition, or another composition to teeth.

[0813] FIG. 8A demonstrates a lower tooth with rough top edge which contains a “groove”, before practice of the present invention.

[0814] FIG. 8B demonstrates the lower tooth of FIG. 8A with a smoother top edge after practice of the present invention method.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0815] Turning now to FIG. 1A, there is shown a Chap-Stick type tubular container for calcium and/or casein containing composition of matter (CM). This is a preferred embodiment.

[0816] FIG. 1B shows a tubular container as in FIG. 1A, containing both calcium and/or casein containing (CM1) (CM2) and not necessarily calcium and/or casein containing (CM2) (CM1) compositions of matter, one centrally located (CM2) and one surrounding said central location (CM1). (Note, the definitely calcium and/or casein containing composition can be either centrally located, or surrounding the central location).

[0817] FIG. 1C shows a tubular container as in FIG. 1A, containing both calcium and/or casein containing (CM1) (CM2) and not necessarily calcium and/or Casein containing (CM2) (CM1) compositions of matter, one on one side of a diameter (CM1) and one on the other side of said diameter (CM2).

[0818] FIG. 2 shows a stick of composition of matter (CM), (calcium and.or casein containing or not), that can be applied to teeth. Much like a Crayon it preferably has a surrounding paper.

[0819] FIG. 3 demonstrates a tub of composition of matter (CM) from which a user can apply composition by use of fingers.

[0820] FIG. 4 demonstrates use of an applicator (ST) held by a user's fingers which can be used to apply composition of matter (CM).

[0821] FIG. 5 demonstrates application of composition of matter (CM) can be via a spray container.

[0822] FIG. 6 demonstrates application of composition of matter (CM) can be by syringe.

It is noted that in the cases of FIGS. 2-6 a user will typically apply bio-available calcium and optional phosphate and/or powdered casein and/of calcium, (eg. by direct application with fingers or by brushing with a calcium containing toothpaste such as Sensodyne Pronamel, or preferably MI Paste and swishing it over teeth), to areas of teeth needing smoothing, and then apply a composition of matter, not necessarily containing calcium and/or casein, using the respective systems in said FIGS. 2-6.

[0823] When a one compartment system is utilized, it can contain a composition of matter comprising: [0824] >0.0- 4/16, nominally ⅛ of b2); [0825] 8/16- 12/16, nominally ⅝ oil; and [0826] 2/16- 6/16, nominally 2/8 at least one selection from the group consisting of: [0827] b3); [0828] b4); [0829] b5); and [0830] b6).

[0831] When a two compartment system is utilized, one compartment can contain a composition of matter comprising: [0832] >0.0- 4/16, nominally ⅛ of b2); [0833] 8/16- 12/16, nominally ⅝ oil; and [0834] 2/16- 6/16, nominally 2/8 at least one selection from the group consisting of: [0835] b4); [0836] b5); and [0837] b6);
and the other a second composition of matter comprising: [0838] >0.0- 4/16, nominally ⅛ of b2); [0839] 8/16- 12/16, nominally ⅝ oil; and [0840] 2/16- 6/16, nominally 2/8 b3).

[0841] FIG. 7 demonstrates application of a composition of matter via applying a form-fit “U” shaped element containing said calcium and/or casein containing composition, or another composition, to teeth. The “U” shaped element directly maintains contact between the composition and teeth, and can be custom formed using dental Alginate. Note, that a try need not be for a full upper of lower set of teeth, but, for instance, can be formed to fit just one or more frontal teeth, such as shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B. It is noted that FIG. 7 can be custom fabricated by a dentist who, takes an impression of a patient's mouth, makes a plaster model therefrom, adds wax to areas corresponding to areas of a patient's teeth which are to be smoothed, followed by forming a custom-fit “U” shaped element therefrom, perhaps by a Vacu-form process. In use a patent can then apply Calcium, Casein, Oraparx etc. and then secure the result in contact with teeth with the custom-fit “U” shaped element.

[0842] FIG. 8A demonstrates a lower tooth with rough top edge which contains a “groove”, before practice of the present invention.

[0843] FIG. 8B demonstrates the lower tooth of FIG. 8A with a smoother top edge after practice of the present invention method or a period of a few weeks. Extended practice of the present invention leads to progressively better results. Note, the results of FIGS. 8A and 8B have been observed and are directly the experience of Applicant Welch. He attests that his teeth have become smoother in regions of the lower edges of upper frontal teeth, and the upper edges of lower frontal teeth. Applicant Welch can only attest to the “tongue” test. His treated teeth feel much smoother when he runs his tongue over them. The way Applicant Welch stumbled onto the present invention involved brushing and swishing Sensodyne ProNamel toothpaste over the rough edged teeth. He noticed over a very long period of time that the roughness of his teeth seemed to be smoothing out. He than began using the composition Applicant Wehrli had earlier developed, as described elsewhere in the Specification, and noticed a faster pace of the roughness being smoothed. Applicant Welch cautiously reported the effect to Applicant Wehrli, but after some time reported that he knew the effect was real. He then began applying powdered Coral Calcium to the rough edges of his teeth, and noticed a much faster pace of the roughness smoothing out. Applicant Welch as been practicing the present invention primarily at night, while sleeping and has also found that results do not brush off in the morning. An improved result has been achieved using MI (Trademark), Paste in place of coral calcium and Sensodyne Pro-Enamel (TM). This has been augmented by use of powdered casein. Applicant Welch has recently applied said MI Paste directly to the edges of his frontal teeth and then proceeded to apply the Composition of matter. It appears to Applicant Welch that calcium has been firmly incorporated into rough edges of his teeth at an improved rate. To be completely scientifically correct, Applicant Welch can not attest that “recalcification” is a warranted term at this time, but does attest that a definite smoothing effect has occurred on rough edges of his teeth by practice of the present invention. Applicant Wehrli has suggested that the presence of “OH.sup.−” ions provided by her previously developed composition of matter are necessary for the effect Applicant Welch has discovered.

[0844] In any of the foregoing methodology, it is noted that the composition of matter which is applied to maintain calcium and/or casein in place can itself contain calcium such as the MI Paste containing bio-available calcium and optional phosphate.

[0845] Also, while not Claimed as such herein, it is believed that the effect Applicant Welch has discovered is the result of the recalcification of the teeth subjected to the present invention methodology. Formal research would be necessary before such a definite claim of recalcification is justified.

[0846] It is also noted that while FIGS. 1B and 1C suggest using a single tube for dispensing both Calcium containing and not necessarily Calcium containing compositions of matter, it is within the scope of the Claims to use two tubes, one for Calcium containing and one for not necessarily Calcium containing compositions of matter.

[0847] It is also noted that very recent investigation of Mr. Welch's teeth suggests that the effect described results from a rebuilding of apparent enamel from location on his teeth which still have enamel present. Observation seems to indicate that the grooves in the tops of his lower front teeth are being compensated by enamel-like material growing up and into the grooves.

[0848] Also, it has been noticed that combining Sensodyne Pro-Enamel (TM) with Coral Calcium prior to application to teeth seems to improve adherence properties, however, a better result has proven possible using exclusively MI Paste (TM), without additional Sensodyne Pro-Enamel (TM) and/or Coral calcium. The MI Paste (TM), in combination with the composition of matter that serves to hold it in place for an extended time, has proven to adhere better. The Claims are structured to allow any calcium containing material with the composition of matter that serves to hold it in place for an extended time. Where Sensodyne Pro-Enamel (TM) is used, the calcium includes Potassium Nitrate and Sodium Fluoride. Where MI Paste (TM) is used the calcium present includes phosphate.

[0849] In the foregoing, any instance of the recital of the presence of a Calcium containing composition of matter can, unless stated otherwise, also be considered to contain a provider of OH.sup.− ions, such as sodium or potassium bicarbonate.

[0850] It is possible that the present invention might provide the seeds of a new approach to achieving more than smoothing rough portions of teeth. It might provide insight into a new approach to filling cavities.

[0851] Finally, it has recently been noted by Inventor Welch that brushing teeth and swishing the results around for a few minutes, using a combination of Coral Calcium and Sodium Bicarbonate in approximately equal proportions, or where the Sodium Bicarb content is reduced a bit and powdered Casein is added, results in all teeth feeling more generally more “substantial”.

[0852] Having hereby disclosed the subject matter of the present invention, it should be obvious that many modifications, substitutions, and variations of the present invention are possible in view of the teachings. It is therefore to be understood that the invention may be practiced other than as specifically described, and should be limited in its breadth and scope only by the Claims.