Tooth whitening kit

Abstract

A tooth whitening kit comprising a hydrogen peroxide gel and a photoactivator gel adapted to be mixed together and applied to a tooth to be whitened; wherein the photoactivator gel comprises purified water, glycerol, a gelling agent and a photoactivator substance, and the photoactivator substance serves as a catalyst when exposed to blue light, enables hydrogen peroxide to be subjected to a decomposition reaction, generates water and oxygen and increases production of reactive oxygen species (ROS); wherein the photoactivator substance comprises a red azo dye, vitamin B2, fucus algae and potassium iodide.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a teeth whitening kit, comprising hydrogen peroxide gel and photo-activator gel. Background Art

[0002] Peroxides are commonly used in the form of gels to whiten human teeth. They can be applied at home using a customized overnight mask or directly onto the tooth surface by a dental surgeon during a dental procedure.

[0003] The different components of peroxide gradually decompose, releasing molecular oxygen and reactive forms of oxygen. Reactive forms of oxygen usually degrade spontaneously, but due to the action of antioxidant enzymes in saliva and gingival crevicular fluid, reactive oxygen is not abundant.

[0004] The ingredients of whitening gels used in dental procedures must be more aggressive in order to release more active forms of oxygen in a shorter period of time and achieve an acceptable whitening effect immediately during a single dental treatment of average duration. To achieve this, these ingredients must usually be activated using physical or chemical activators or catalysts.

[0005] The most commonly used chemical activators are various metal ions, such as iron ions, etc., mixed with peroxide gel in an alkaline solution. Peroxide decomposes faster in an alkaline environment, producing oxygen, although the presence of oxygen in the form of free radicals is limited.

[0006] Referring to the prior art, it has been found that active forms of oxygen are more effective for teeth whitening. The more free radicals generated, the better the whitening effect.

[0007] Light absorbing molecules, such as biologically acceptable dyes (CRAS: generally recognized as safe), are used to enhance the tooth whitening effect and amplify the generation of reactive oxygen species.

[0008] Certain colors selectively absorb emitted light (from LEDs or lasers) of different wavelengths, so they accumulate energy that is released gradually into the environment and also into the peroxide contained in the composition, catalyzing the production of active forms of oxygen. It turns out that light energy also intensifies the production of free radicals. In this case, the whitening gel should be used with a light-emitting device such as an LED lamp or a laser that emits blue light in the range of 480 to 500 nm, which is usually used in dental surgery. Summary of the invention

[0009] The object of the present invention is to eliminate the disadvantages of the prior art by providing a teeth whitening kit capable of activating the oxygen contained in the hydrogen peroxide gel to produce an active form of oxygen.

[0010] Another object is to provide a teeth whitening kit that is practical, reliable, efficient and effective.

[0011] These objects are achieved according to the invention having the features of the attached independent claim 1 .

[0012] Advantageous results of the invention emerge from the dependent claims. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0013] Further features of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description, which relates only to illustrative and non-limiting embodiments, which are illustrated in the following examples.

[0014] The teeth whitening kit according to the present invention comprises a hydrogen peroxide gel and a photoactivator gel.

[0015] The hydrogen peroxide gel contains 5% to 50% hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ).

[0016] The hydrogen peroxide gel comprises an aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution and a gelling composition.

[0017] For example, the gelling composition comprises:

[0018] - colloidal silicon dioxide in amorphous form,

[0019] -potassium aluminum silicate, and

[0020] -Crystallized alumina.

[0021] The aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution contains hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in a weight percentage of 10% to 50% relative to the total weight of the aqueous solution. 2 O 2 ).

[0022] Colloidal silica is also called hydrophilic fumed silica because it is made of silicon tetrachloride (SiCl 4 ) in the gas phase. Colloidal silica absorbs and retains water. Colloidal silica is in an amorphous form (atoms are randomly distributed). This means that, unlike crystalline silica, it is not dangerous if accidentally inhaled. Colloidal silica is in the form of a micronized powder with a particle size of 0.2 to 0.3 μm.

[0023] The hydrogen peroxide gel contains colloidal silicon dioxide in a weight percentage of 0.1% to 7%, preferably 2% to 5%, relative to the total weight of the gel.

[0024] The potassium aluminum silicate preferably comprises mica powder in crystalline form. Mica crystals are generally plate-shaped, have a rhombic or hexagonal cross-section, angles of about 60° and 120°, and exhibit a pseudo-orthorhombic or pseudo-hexagonal morphology.

[0025] Potassium aluminum silicate can also be a food additive known as E555, used as a carrier for E171 (titanium dioxide) and E172 (iron oxides and hydroxides) dyes.

[0026] The hydrogen peroxide gel contains potassium aluminum silicate in a weight percentage of 0.1% to 5%, preferably 1% to 3%, relative to the total weight of the gel.

[0027] Alumina (Al 2 O 3 ) is preferably corundum powder. The crystal form of corundum is plate-like, prism-like or barrel-like (according to the bipyramidal sequence).

[0028] The hydrogen peroxide gel contains aluminum oxide in a weight percentage of 0.1% to 5%, preferably 1% to 3%, relative to the total weight of the gel.

[0029] To obtain the whitening gel, the solid ingredients (colloidal silicon dioxide, potassium aluminum silicate, and aluminum oxide) are first mixed.

[0030] Then, the mixture of solid components is poured into an aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution and planetarily stirred with a stirrer, thereby obtaining a gel-form product.

[0031] As the aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution is added, the crystal molecules contained in the solid component mixture produce a gel, in which the aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution is attracted to the crystal molecules, thereby surrounding the crystal molecules and forming an atmosphere surrounding the crystal molecules. Light can penetrate this hydrogen peroxide atmosphere and accelerate the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide into water and oxygen through the conversion of oxygen into reactive oxygen species (ROS).

[0032] Light Activator Gel Contains:

[0033] -Pure water,

[0034] -glycerin,

[0035] - a gelling agent, and

[0036] - A photoactivator substance that acts as a catalyst when exposed to blue light, causing a decomposition reaction of hydrogen peroxide to generate water and oxygen, increasing the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS).

[0037] Photoactivator substances include:

[0038] - red azo dyes,

[0039] - Vitamin B2,

[0040] - Fucus vesiculosus seaweed, and

[0041] -Potassium iodide.

[0042] The red azo dye preferably comprises Allura Red, which is an azo dye having strong polar characteristics, soluble in water, and selectively absorbs blue light of 480 to 500 nm (i.e., the wavelength used in teeth whitening lamps), thereby greatly increasing the activity of hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ) decomposes into water (H 2 O) and oxygen (O 2 The photoactivator gel contains the azo dye in an amount of 0.001% to 1% by weight relative to the total weight of the photoactivator gel.

[0043] Vitamin B2 is preferably riboflavin. Vitamin B2 is a water-soluble vitamin and an endogenous photosensitizer. When exposed to blue light from a dental lamp, vitamin B2 acts as a photocatalyst for hydrogen peroxide, thereby promoting the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) during the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide into oxygen and water. The photoactivator gel contains vitamin B2 in an amount of 0.01% to 2% by weight relative to the total weight of the photoactivator gel.

[0044] Fucus vesiculosus seaweed (INCI name) contains a natural algae extract that strongly absorbs the blue light emitted by a dental lamp, causing the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide to form oxygen free radicals. The photoactivator gel contains Fucus vesiculosus seaweed in a weight percentage of 0.1% to 5% relative to the total weight of the photoactivator gel.

[0045] Potassium iodide (KI) enhances the photocatalytic effect of Fucus vesiculosus seaweed and increases the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) during the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide into oxygen and water. The photoactivator gel contains potassium iodide in a weight percentage of 0.0001% to 0.001% relative to the total weight of the photoactivator gel.

[0046] When the final gel obtained from the kit of the present invention is activated with blue light from a dental lamp, the four photoactivator substances described above contribute to a synergistic effect to maximize the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) during the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide into oxygen and water.

[0047] Advantageously, the photoactivator gel also contains citronellol to further increase the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). 10 H 20Citronellol (Citronellol) is a natural acyclic monoterpenoid containing molecules that selectively oxidize in the presence of hydrogen peroxide. Thus, citronellol oxidizes when in contact with hydrogen peroxide contained in the hydrogen peroxide gel, generating active oxygen species that aid in tooth whitening. The photoactivator gel contains citronellol in a weight percentage of 0.001% to 0.01% relative to the total weight of the photoactivator gel.

[0048] In view of the fact that the photoactivator gel contains organic substances such as Fucus seaweed, it is advantageous that such photoactivator gel may contain an antimicrobial agent such as phenoxyethanol in an amount of 0.1% to 1% by weight relative to the total weight of the photoactivator gel.

[0049] Considering that the photoactivator gel contains minerals such as potassium iodide, it is advantageous that such photoactivator gel may contain a chelating agent such as ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) in an amount of 0.01% to 2% by weight relative to the total weight of the photoactivator gel.

[0050] The mixture of purified water, glycerol and gelling agent will form a gel with the desired consistency. The gelling agent may contain a vinyl polymer (Carbopol) in a weight percentage of 0.1% to 3% relative to the total weight of the gel.

[0051] The amount of water and glycerol can vary widely depending on the desired consistency of the gel. For example, the photoactivator gel contains 10% to 60% glycerol by weight based on the total weight of the photoactivator gel.

[0052] To obtain the photoactivator gel, the liquid substances (water, glycerin, and optionally phenoxyethanol) are mixed together to form a liquid mixture.

[0053] Solid substances (photoactivator substance and gelling agent) are mixed together to form a solid mixture, and then the solid mixture is mixed with a liquid mixture to obtain a photoactivator gel.

[0054] The hydrogen peroxide gel and the photoactivator gel are stored in two separate packages and mixed before use. The hydrogen peroxide gel and the photoactivator gel are mixed in a ratio ranging from 1:20 to 1:1 of hydrogen peroxide gel to photoactivator gel. The mixing of the two gels can be performed in a variety of ways.

[0055] Two syringes connected to each other by a connector can be used. The first syringe is filled with hydrogen peroxide gel and the second syringe is filled with light activator gel. The two syringes are connected to each other by the connector and the two gels are mixed by back and forth motion of the syringe plungers until the final gel has a uniform consistency and color. The final gel is filled in one of the syringes and applied directly to the teeth to be whitened.

[0056] Another method of mixing and preparing the final gel may be to use a double-chamber syringe, i.e. two syringes connected together in one system. The plungers of the syringes are actuated simultaneously by a pressure device. The contents of the syringes are mixed at the outlet of the double-chamber syringe through a mixing nozzle comprising a mixing spiral. The final gel obtained by mixing the hydrogen peroxide gel and the photoactivator gel is applied directly to the teeth to be whitened.

[0057] After the final gel is applied, blue light is irradiated onto the final gel to activate a photoactivator substance that reacts with hydrogen peroxide, which acts as a catalyst to cause a decomposition reaction of hydrogen peroxide to generate water and oxygen and produce reactive oxygen species (ROS) that contribute to teeth whitening.

[0058] Blue light is emitted by known types of dental lights.

[0059] It is within the capabilities of those skilled in the art that equivalent variations and modifications may be made to the present embodiments of the invention, while remaining within the scope of the invention as expressed by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A teeth whitening kit comprising a hydrogen peroxide gel and a photoactivator gel suitable for mixing together and applying to teeth to be whitened; in, The photoactivator gel comprises: -Pure water, -glycerin, - a gelling agent, and - a photoactivator substance that acts as a catalyst when exposed to blue light, causing a decomposition reaction of hydrogen peroxide to generate water and oxygen, increasing the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS); Wherein the photoactivator substance comprises: - red azo dyes, - Vitamin B2, - Fucus seaweed, and -Potassium iodide.

2. The kit of claim 1, wherein the red azo dye comprises Allura Red.

3. The kit according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the photoactivator gel contains the azo dye in a weight percentage of 0.001% to 1% relative to the total weight of the photoactivator gel.

4. The kit according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the vitamin B2 is riboflavin.

5. Kit according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the photoactivator gel contains vitamin B2 in a weight percentage of 0.01% to 2% relative to the total weight of the photoactivator gel.

6. Kit according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the photoactivator gel comprises Fucus vesiculosus seaweed in a weight percentage of 0.1% to 5% relative to the total weight of the photoactivator gel.

7. Kit according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the photoactivator gel comprises potassium iodide in a weight percentage of 0.0001% to 0.001% relative to the total weight of the photoactivator gel.

8. A kit according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the photoactivator gel comprises citronellol to further increase the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS).

9. The kit according to claim 8, wherein the photoactivator gel comprises citronellol in a weight percentage of 0.001% to 0.01% relative to the total weight of the photoactivator gel.

10. Kit according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the photoactivator gel comprises an antimicrobial agent, such as phenoxyethanol, in a weight percentage of 0.1% to 1% relative to the total weight of the photoactivator gel.

11. Kit according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the photoactivator gel comprises a chelating agent, such as ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), in a weight percentage of 0.01% to 2% relative to the total weight of the photoactivator gel.