338 results about "Maxillary gingiva" patented technology

Peptides have been identified that bind with high affinity to body surfaces, such as, hair, skin, nails, teeth, gums, corneal tissue, and oral cavity surfaces. Peptide-based body surface reagents formed by coupling a body surface binding peptide to a benefit agent are described. The peptide-based body surface reagents include peptide-based hair conditioners, hair colorants, skin conditioners, skin colorants, nail colorants, and oral care reagents. The peptide-based hair conditioners and hair colorants are comprised of a hair-binding peptide coupled to a hair conditioning agent or a coloring agent, respectively. The peptide-based skin conditioners and skin colorants are comprised of a skin-binding peptide coupled to a skin conditioning agent or a colorant, respectively. The peptide-based nail colorants are comprised of a nail-binding peptide coupled to a coloring agent. The peptide-based oral care reagents are comprised of an oral cavity surface-binding peptide coupled to an oral care benefit agent. In all these compositions, the peptide may be directly coupled to the active agent or the coupling may be via a spacer. Personal care compositions containing these peptide-based body surface reagents are also described.

A toothbrush is provided for cleaning and/or massaging of teeth and gums having a mechanical vibratory element and a head having cleaning/treating elements on a plurality of different types of cleaning areas which provide for an enhanced cleaning, scrubbing and massaging effect. The cleaning/treating elements have different physical characteristics so that in addition to providing a varied cleaning/treating effect from the cleaning/treating elements themselves there is enhanced treatment as a result of the movement of the cleaning/treating elements imparted by the mechanical vibratory device.

An improved pulsatory slit apparatus to be connected for a dental hygiene. Supply line valves to be shutoff before connecting the devices. By disconnecting cold water conduit of a faucet of a sink from a domestic cold water supply line valve in a bathroom and reconnecting it to 19B, and by connecting the valve to 18A as shown in FIG. 1, it becomes an operative device as shown in FIG. 2. For a combination of hot and cold water, by disconnecting the cold water supply line valve as previously stated and by disconnecting the hot water conduit of the faucet from the hot water supply line valve in a bathroom and reconnecting the cold water connector to a top right side straight end 19B of an apparatus and the hot water connector to a top left side straight end 19B of the apparatus as shown in FIG. 3, this process completes a connection of the faucet and the apparatus. To complete the connection of the apparatus and the supply lines it requires two conduits of the same size hexagonal or of similar configurational nuts at the four ends of the conduits. One conduit connects to the cold water supply line valve and the other end of the conduit connects to the bottom right side straight end 19B of the apparatus. The second conduit connects to the hot water supply line valve and the other end of the conduit connects to a bottom left side straight end 19B of the apparatus as shown in FIG. 3. This process completes the connections of the supply lines of the apparatus and it becomes an operative device as shown in FIG. 4. An open-shutoff orifice valve directs the water to a hand held cylindrical device. The hand held cylindrical device having a pressure control valve assembly and the assembly having an off-on pressure control dial. A nipple of a slit orientation is attachable to the hand held cylindrical device. The hand held cylindrical device with the pressure control dial at fingertip redirects the water under pressure to the nipple for users' teeth and gums. The nipple provides the users strong pulsatory slits of thousands of tiny pulses, not just droplets as described in the prior arts. The pressure control dial let the users control the desirable pressure for comfortable use of the dental hygiene pulsatory slit apparatus.

Mouthpiece (1) having vestibular shield (21) overlapping a user's teeth and gums, gases passageway means extending through said vestibular shield allowing for the passage of said gases through mouthpiece and extra oral sealing (25) means associated with gases passageway, said passageway in use causes gases to be diffused (outlets 23, 24) when exiting from gases passageway. Mouth piece may have a noseflap to seal the user's nose or provide a passageway for use'r s nasal passages. Mouthpiece may have adjustment means to alter distance between said vestibular shield and said extra-oral sealing means.

A process of whitening a tooth provided by the invention includes the steps of providing a delivery device for mechanical dispensing of a predetermined amount of a whitening composition to an applicator tip; dispensing the amount of whitening composition to the applicator tip; applying the amount of whitening composition disposed on the applicator tip to the tooth to be whitened; and allowing the whitening composition to remain in contact with the tooth for a period of time sufficient to whiten the tooth. Optionally, the process further includes the step of exposing the whitening composition to light. A gum or candy for tooth bleaching is detailed along with methods of use. A device adapted to dispense an amount of a dental whitening composition optionally includes a light source for activating the whitener.

A chewing gum comprising at least one active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) with a core onto which is applied at least one inner polymer film coating and thereafter onto which is applied at least one outer hard coating. A preferred API is nicotine. Flavoring agents may be incorporated in the core, in the at least one inner polymer film coating and/or in the at least one outer hard coating. The gums formed exhibit a long lasting effect of flavoring agent(s) and result in the domination of flavoring agents in the coating(s) over flavoring agent(s) in the core, thereby (a) avoiding problems of chemical or pharmaceutical incompatibility between an API in the core and flavoring agent(s) in the coating(s) and (b) achieving an increased control of the release of the API and of non-active excipients.

A computer-implemented system and method of intra-oral analysis for measuring plaque removal is disclosed. The system includes hardware for real-time image acquisition and software to store the acquired images on a patient-by-patient basis. The system implements algorithms to segment teeth of interest from surrounding gum, and uses a real-time image-based morphing procedure to automatically overlay a grid onto each segmented tooth. Pattern recognition methods are used to classify plaque from surrounding gum and enamel, while ignoring glare effects due to the reflection of camera light and ambient light from enamel regions. The system integrates these components into a single software suite with an easy-to-use graphical user interface (GUI) that allows users to do an end-to-end run of a patient record, including tooth segmentation of all teeth, grid morphing of each segmented tooth, and plaque classification of each tooth image.

The present invention relates to gums, lozenges, candies, tablets, liquids and spray compositions that contain orally administered medications and dietary supplements that are released in the oral cavity. The medications and dietary supplements contained therein may be delivered in a multi-phase mode. The compositions may also contain buffer systems that facilitate oral absorption. A rapid release is followed by slower release of medicant(s) and dietary supplements. The buffer system is released simultaneously with the medicant(s) and dietary supplements, thereby facilitating transmucosal and buccal absorption of active ingredient(s). The invention delivers, first, rapidly an initial pharmacologically effective dose of medicine and dietary supplements and, second, a prolonged pharmacologically sufficient dose for longer-term relief of symptoms or provision of therapeutic effect.

The present invention is directed to dental compositions, including dentifrices, containing ascorbic acid for removing and inhibiting dental biofilms which form plaque and tartar, and also for treating and preventing gingivitis and periodontitis. The ascorbic acid composition can contain may additional ingredients, including an enamel-strengthening component, and be used in many different forms, including breath spray, chewing gum, dental floss, dental powder, gargle, lozenge, mouth spray, mouth wash, tooth gel, tooth liquid, tooth paste and tooth strips. Also described in a method of using a dental composition containing ascorbic acid in order to treat plaque and tartar as well as gum disorders.

A chronotherapeutic pharmaceutical formulation comprising a core containing an active agent (e.g., a drug) and a surfactant and a delayed release compression coating comprising a natural or synthetic gum applied onto the surface of the core.

The present invention relates to compositions for a multi-modality center-filled chewing gum. The individual gum pieces, which include the compositions of the present invention, may include a center-fill region surrounded by a gum region. The gum region may include a gum base. The individual gum pieces optionally may be further coated with an external coating layer. At least two components that create a duality, such as two flavors, may be incorporated into different regions of the gum.

A method and apparatus is provided for cutting an elastomeric laminate that may include a layer of reinforcement cords, into a desired length without cutting through the cords. The method includes the step of cutting through the gum portion of the elastomeric composite material at a desired skive angle, and then opening up the skived cut. Next, the cord reinforcement layer is cut without severing the reinforcement cords. An elastomeric composite strip cut to the desired length is produced and has cut ends. One of the cut ends has the gum portion cut at a desired skive angle adjacent an overhang portion of the reinforcement layer. The opposite end of the elastomeric composite segment also has a skived portion to mate with the skived portion of the first cut end, and a gap in the cord ply to mate with the cord overhang of the first end, resulting in a splice. An improved anvil having independently controlled vacuum zones and adjustable width vacuum zones is also provided, as well as improved cutting mechanisms.

An abutment system for a dental implant includes an abutment having a base portion that is engageable with a dental implant and a shoulder disposed about the base portion that includes a hybrid ceramic material. The hybrid ceramic material includes at least 85% porcelain. An opaque can be applied to the exterior surface of the abutment. A pigment can also be added to the hybrid ceramic material so as to match the color of the patient's gum tissue. A method of preparing an abutment system includes the steps of forming a curable hybrid ceramic material into a shoulder about the base portion of an abutment, partially curing the hybrid ceramic material so as to form an initially cured shoulder, shaping the initially cured shoulder to a desired shape so that the shoulder conforms to at least one patient specific criterion, and completely curing the shoulder. A plurality of abutment systems may be assembled into a kit.

The present invention is an eye preparation comprising a hydrophobic composition adapted for use on a contact lens inserted into a patient's eye and having a viscosity of 1 to 15,000 centistokes. The composition includes a silicone polymer, fluorinated silicone polymer, fluorocarbon polymer, fluorinated alcohol, or perfluorinated polyether composition, singly or blended, adapted to coat at least a portion of a contact lens inserted in a patient's eye. Silicone polymers for use in the invention include dimethicone, cyclomethicone, and silicone gums.

A dentifrice composition of the invention can be applied to teeth and/or gums by any conventional A dentifrice composition comprises (a) calcium carbonate having properties of particle size and angularity effective to provide mild abrasivity to dental enamel; (b) red iron oxide of low abrasivity in an effective amount on which to impart red color to the composition; and (c) a herbal component comprising at least one botanical or extract thereof, in a total herbal component amount effective to promote oral health.

An edible and/or chewable article of manufacture containing at least one food grade substance having adsorption affinity towards at least one dental plaque (biofilm) constituent and capable of reducing and/or removing the oral biofilm while present in the mouth. Particular articles of manufacture are chewing gums, sweets, candies, candy, and other nutritional bars, ice creams, chocolates, confectionery and bakery/pastry products, honey, dairy products and beverages, and oral hygiene products such as tooth pastes, oral gels and mouthwashes. A chewing gum having a conventional gum base and at least one food grade active substance having adsorption affinity towards at least one dental plaque (biofilm) constituent (bacteria and proteins and bacterial cell-free enzymes) and capable of reducing and/or removing the oral biofilm while present in the mouth. Active substances include polysaccharides and non-toxic salts thereof, such as alginates, chitosan, carboxymethylcellulose, agar and carrageenan, inorganic substances such as silica, hydroxyapatite and calcium carbonate and proteins, particularly gelatin and lectin. The article of manufacture removes and/or for prevents or reduces dental plaque (biofilm), and controlling oral, dental and periodontal diseases.

The present invention is drawn to disinfectant or sterilant compositions, which are human safe, e.g., food grade, food safe, or skin safe, etc. In one embodiment, an aqueous disinfectant or sterilant composition can comprise an aqueous vehicle, including water, from 0.001 wt % to 50 wt % of a peracid, and from 0.001 wt % to 25 wt % of a peroxide. Additionally, from 0.001 ppm to 50,000 ppm by weight of a transition metal or alloy thereof based on the aqueous vehicle content can also be present. The disinfectant composition can be used in the manufacture and formulation of products for human use or consumption including disinfectant mouthwashes, toothpastes, gums, ointments, and soaps.

An aqueous syrup for use in chewing gum, particularly pellet gum, comprises, on a dry basis, greater than about 98% polyols, of which i) about 50% to about 90% is sorbitol, ii) about 3% to about 30% is maltitol, iii) about 2% to about 20% are polyols, other than sorbitol and maltitol, with a degree of polymerization (DP) of 1 or 2, and iv) less than about 20% (and perhaps less than about 12%) are polyols with a DP of 3 or greater. The syrup is made with less than about 1.0% plasticizing agent, such as glycerin or propylene glycol. The syrup contains less than 5% water. The syrup can be made by evaporating a mixture of a sorbitol solution, a maltitol syrup and one or more polyols selected from the group consisting of mannitol, xylitol, lactitol, erythritol, hydrogenated isomaltulose, and combinations thereof. Methods of using the syrup to make chewing gum, and chewing gum products containing the syrup are also provided.

An electric toothbrush in which the brushing head moves in an elliptical motion such that, on the brushing stroke, the bristles are proximate the teeth, and in the recovery portion of the cycle the bristles are pulled away from the teeth. A position sensitive switch automatically switches from a forward to a reverse operation of the electric motor, depending on the positioning of the toothbrush in a user's hand, allowing the user to brush both the upper and lower teeth using a stroke carrying the bristles from the gum line to the ends of the teeth, as is recommended by dental professionals, without having to move the toothbrush from hand to hand or manually move the switch from the forward to the reverse positions. A bridge pad engages the face of the teeth, maintaining a proper distance between the teeth and bristles during the elliptical rotation of the brush head.