Denture Liner, Denture Liner Kit And Method For Making A Denture Liner

Abstract

A denture liner for fitting a denture to gums in a mouth, comprising a self-supporting and shape-retaining layer that comprises a volume of a hydrophobic polymer component that inhibits the liner from absorbing moisture and a volume of a hydrophilic polymer component that hydrates a surface of the liner when exposed to moisture.

Description

[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 987,833, filed Nov. 12, 2004, which application is currently pending and which application is hereby incorporated by reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002] This invention relates to dental compositions based on blends of particular polymer, plasticizer, and adhesive constituents, and to the process of making such compositions. The compositions are useful in prosthodontics, including formulating denture liners which have a glass transition temperature lower than the lower of an ambient temperature at which the liner is applied and a temperature inside the oral cavity. The most preferred embodiments are phthalate free. The invention further relates to denture liner kits. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] When a denture is worn for a long period of time, the fit between the denture and the alveolar ridge worsens. The shape of the gums changes with time as the gums recede. Since the denture is made...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0017] Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a denture liner having both an improved adhesive action to form stronger and more lasting bonds between the denture and the oral cavity and an improved separability from the denture.

[0018] It is another object of the present invention to provide an improved denture liner, which can be readily applied and removed.

[0019] It is another object of the present invention to provide a denture liner which adjusts denture alignment to conform to user's gums in order to ensure an optimal fit.

Problems solved by technology

When a denture is worn for a long period of time, the fit between the denture and the alveolar ridge worsens.

Since the denture is made from a hard material, it is incapable of adjusting to the change in shape of the gums.

Thus, gaps begin to form between the denture and the gums.

This can lead not only to the loosening of the denture, but also to an ulcer and / or inflammation due to uneven pressure exerted by the denture.

These pastes and powders can be problematic in that they do not remain on the denture once the denture is inserted into the oral cavity.

Thus, the adhesive will not be retained on the denture reducing the ability of the denture to be secured to the gums.

Pastes and powders can be difficult to use because they require the denture wearer to ensure that the paste or powder is uniformly applied.

Pastes and powders are also deficient in that once the denture is removed these pastes and formed gels must be cleaned off of the denture.

While the above conventional denture liners can provide some of the much needed relief for denture wearers, these liners have a number of problems.

However, the liners tend to chemically bond to the denture, especially when the plasticizers are liberated over time.

Thus, the liners become extremely difficult to separate from the denture.

Also, conventional denture liners do not have mucoadhesive properties.

Such an approach, however, is deficient in that it leads to an inadequate hold or requires addition of a separate layer or layers of adhesives, which may interfere with the function of the liner and result in discomfort for the user.

While such a modification helps to peel the liner from the denture, liquid paraffin and squalane also decrease the adhesion of the liner to the gum, which can lead to denture slippage.

Also problematic is the inclusion of phthalates in the plasticizer component of state-of-the art denture liners.

Various advocacy groups are complaining that animal studies suggest that phthalates cause damage to an animal's internal organs such as kidneys, liver, lungs, and the reproductive system, including the testes.

Images