Dentistry – Orthodontics – Bracket
Reexamination Certificate
1999-11-24
2001-07-31
Lucchesi, Nicholas D. (Department: 3732)
Dentistry
Orthodontics
Bracket
C433S020000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06267590
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to dental products, such as used for orthodontic purposes, having an inorganic antimicrobial agent.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Orthodontic treatment requires the use of appliances such as brackets, arch wires, retainers, braces and other paraphernalia in the mouth. When present in the mouth, these appliances interfere with normal oral hygiene. As a result, the prevention and treatment of oral diseases, such as gingivitis, periodontitis and dental caries, becomes very difficult during a course of orthodontic treatment. The appliances provide locations where food can accumulate and they thereby constitute a source for bacteria growth. Accordingly, it would be desirable to make these types of appliances in a manner such as to prevent the adverse effects of bacterial action.
Various efforts have been made to provide antimicrobial action for medical type products to be implanted into the body has been considered. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,906,466 describes an antimicrobial composition comprising antimicrobial silver compounds deposited on a physiologically inert oxide support material. In Japanese Patent Abstract No. 08041611 an alloy exhibiting antimicrobial properties is disclosed. None of these are specifically directed to orthodontic appliances.
Attempts have been made to solve various aspects of this problem in the field of orthodontic appliances. For example, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,068,107 an elastic retainer member, such as formed by an elastic polymeric material, is provided with a dentally active pharmacological agent, such as halide salt and various compositions that contain fluoride. The agent is released in the mouth. Such a product suffers from the defect of the agent being depleted over time, thereby requiring replacement of the appliance. Also, this approach is not easily used for metal orthodontic appliances. U.S. Pat. No. 5,716,208 discloses an orthodontic bracket to be attached to a tooth that has an outer coating that contains an organic antimicrobial agent, the preferred one disclosed being 2,4,4′-trichloro-2′-hydroxy-diphenyl ether (triclosan) which is a halogenated diphenyl ether. Triclosan is an organic compound, and therefore suffers from the disadvantage that antibiotic resistance can develop over time with continued use. Furthermore, triclosan is suspected of inducing skin irritation.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to dental appliances, particularly for use in orthodontic applications. The appliances are either of plastic or metal and contain an inorganic antimicrobial agent which imparts substantial antimicrobial action to materials that contact the appliance. In accordance with the invention, preferred inorganic agents are antimicrobial particles (e.g., zeolite particles) containing antimicrobial metal ions (e.g., silver ions), as the active agents. Such zeolites can effect a sustained release of the active component, such as silver, into the mouth cavity over an extended period of time. Zeolites are preferred as the inorganic agent since they are long-lasting and effective even in the environment of the mouth, where there is prolonged contact with saliva. Therefore, the appliances do not have to be replaced to maintain the antimicrobial action, or are replaced less frequently than prior art devices having antimicrobial action.
Where the dental product is formed of a polymeric plastic resin, the antimicrobial agent is mixed with the resin that is used to form the product. The agent also can be mixed with an elastomer to produce an appliance having elastic properties. Alternatively, a coating containing the antimicrobial agent also can be used. In a dental appliance formed of metal, the agent is contained in a coating which is bonded to the product.
The present invention is applicable to various types of orthodontic appliances, such as arch wires and brackets and elastic members such as retainers.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide dental appliances, such as used for orthodontic purposes, containing an antimicrobial agent.
A further object is to provide orthodontic dental appliances formed of plastic or metal which contain a zeolite as an inorganic antimicrobial agent.
Still a further object is to provide orthodontic dental appliances made of metal or plastic in which the antimicrobial zeolite is present in a coating applied to either a plastic or metal product or incorporated into the resin forming the plastic product.
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Barry John E.
Pastecki Elizabeth A.
Trogolo Jeffrey A.
AgION Technologies, LLC
Fuierer Marianne
Hultquist Steven J.
Lucchesi Nicholas D.
Welch II Edward K.
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