Plasma Surface Treating Device for Tooth Whitening

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current tooth whitening methods rely on bleach, which can cause side effects, is costly, and involves irreversible damage, while existing light sources like halogen lights generate excessive heat, making them unsuitable for prolonged use.

Innovation Solution

A surface treating device and method using plasma generated at normal pressure to remove tooth surface pigmentation without bleach, employing a tube and electrode set to excite a working gas like helium into jet plasma, which is discharged to treat the tooth surface, offering a safer, cost-effective, and reversible solution.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If halogen light is used to activate bleach for tooth whitening, then the whitening effect is enhanced, but excessive heat is generated making it unsuitable for prolonged use

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelight intensityVSAvoidheat generation

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the halogen light source with a cold light source (LED or laser) to activate the bleach. This substitution eliminates excessive heat generation while maintaining the ability to activate the bleach for effective tooth whitening.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameters of the light source from halogen (high heat) to cold light sources like LED or laser (low heat). This parameter change allows prolonged exposure without causing thermal damage to the tooth or surrounding tissues.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If traditional bleach is used for tooth whitening, then pigmentation is removed, but side effects occur including gum irritation and potential damage to dental pulp

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewhitening effectivenessVSAvoidside effects

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies protective measures locally to the gums and dental pulp while applying the bleach to the tooth surface. The protective film is applied specifically to areas that need protection, allowing the bleach to work on the tooth surface without causing systemic side effects.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a protective film as an intermediary substance between the bleach and the sensitive areas (gums and dental pulp). This protective film allows the bleach to effectively whiten the teeth while preventing direct contact with and damage to the gums and pulp.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Duration of action of stationary object

If porcelain laminate veneer or crown therapy is used for tooth whitening, then long duration results are achieved, but the cost is too high and irreversible damage occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveduration of whitening effectVSAvoidtreatment complexity and cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a disposable or reusable bleach application system that is much less expensive than porcelain veneers or crowns. While the whitening effect may not last as long as porcelain solutions, it provides a cost-effective alternative that avoids irreversible damage and high costs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of removing tooth structure and adding porcelain (the conventional approach), the patent applies a chemical agent (bleach) that works from the outside to whiten the tooth surface, reversing the conventional wisdom of structural modification for cosmetic purposes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The plasma treatment effectively removes pigmentation with high oxygen radical concentration, reducing treatment time and costs, avoiding bleach-related side effects, and is safer for the tooth and user, with lower equipment costs and reduced heat generation.

Implementation Method 1

a voltage is provided to the working gas for exciting the working gas into plasma at a normal pressure

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPlasma: Plasma

Implementation Method 2

The voltage excites the working gas into plasma, and the plasma is discharged through an opening of the tube

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical discharge: Electric Arc

Implementation Method 3

the use of bleach is normally accompanied by the use of a light source to activate the bleach and shorten the course of therapy... the ingredients of bleach include oxidizing compounds such as hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide for reacting with the pigments deposited on the tooth surface to result in oxidation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOxidation: Oxidation

Data Source

PatentUS8277616B2Surface treating device and surface treating method

Publication Date: 2012.10.02 IND TECH RES INST

AI summary

A surface treating method for treating a tooth surface and a surface treating device thereof are provided. First, a working gas is filled into a tube. Next, a voltage is provided to the working gas for exciting the working gas into plasma. After that, the plasma is discharged through an opening of the tube for contacting the tooth surface.