Tooth whitening product

The present invention relates to a tooth whitening product, more specifically, a tooth whitening product incorporating a whitening agent.

Whitening teeth has been very popular over the last few years. More and more consumers are choosing to whiten their teeth. Options for whitening teeth include toothpaste, mouthwash, chewing gum, in-clinic bleaching, and most commonly, tooth whitening solutions used with over-the-counter or dentist trays. Can be mentioned.

<p> Tooth whitening products that use strips of material in combination with chemical whitening actives are known in the art. While these whitening products may function for their intended purpose, there is a continuing need to improve the handling and aesthetics of these tooth whitening products.</p>

<p> Tooth whitening products are provided. The tooth whitening product has a back layer and a tooth whitening composition. The tooth whitening composition includes a first polymer, a second polymer, water and a tooth whitening agent. The first polymer is a water-soluble polymer and the second polymer is polyvinyl alcohol.</p>

The present specification concludes with claims that specify, point out, and explicitly claim the invention, but the following description made in conjunction with the accompanying drawings is believed to better understand the invention.

All patents and patent applications referenced herein are incorporated herein by reference. All weight% herein refers to a tooth whitening composition after processing (eg, after drying, after cooling, after curing, after extrusion, or after casting), unless otherwise stated. Although embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail, those examples are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, where similar numbers indicate the same element but have the same last two digits (eg 20 and). 120) implies that they are similar elements. The present invention is directed to tooth whitening products comprising a tooth whitening agent or tooth bleaching agent, one or more water-soluble polymers, and optionally a tooth whitening composition comprising water and a plasticizer. In another embodiment, the present invention is directed to a dental bleaching composition comprising a polyethylene oxide polymer, and in yet another embodiment, the present invention is directed to a dental bleaching composition comprising a polyvinyl alcohol polymer. As used herein, the phrase "water-soluble" is preferably more than 5% by weight, preferably more than 10% by weight, soluble in water when measured in water at 20 ° C. without the assistance of a pH regulator. , Or more preferably a compound or composition in excess of 15% by weight, requiring a temperature above 20 ° C to solubilize in water, as described above when the solution is cooled to 20 ° C. Includes solutes that still have% by weight. Solubility is 1570 rad / s (15, It is confirmed by not separating by centrifugation at 000RPM) for 30 minutes. The solution containing the water-soluble polymer may be opaque, translucent, or transparent. More preferably, "water soluble" is more than 5% by weight, preferably more than 10% by weight, or more preferably 15% soluble in water when first mixed in water at 20 ° C. without the assistance of a pH regulator. Means a compound or composition that is in excess of% by weight. The water-soluble polymer is also preferably hydrateable. As used herein, the phrase "hydrateable" is intended to refer to a compound or composition that absorbs water. Although the present invention will be described herein with respect to these films or strips, it is believed that the present invention can be used with other tooth whitening products such as dental trays. Water-soluble polymers that are also hydrateable suitable for use in the present invention range from about 0.016 ag (10,000 daltons) to about 16.6 ag (10,000,000 daltons), and preferably from about 0.16 ag (100,000) to about. Examples include ethylene oxide polymers with molecular weights varying in the range of 2.5ag (1,500,000 daltons), homopolymers or mixtures of ethylene oxide polymers. Such ethylene oxide polymers are commercially available from a variety of sources. Molecular weight is 0.016 to 1.66ag (10,000 to 1,000, Polyethylene oxide in the range of 000 Dalton) is available from Dow Chemical Company under the trade name POLYOX®. Other suitable polymers include polypropylene oxide, crosslinked polyacrylic acid (eg Carbopol), linear polyacrylic acid, polyvinyl alcohol, sodium alginate, methyl methacrylate, xanthan gum, pectin, pullulan, guar gum, agar, Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), carrageenan, cellulose (eg, hydroxypropyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose and hydroxymethyl cellulose), polyethylene oxide polypropylene oxide copolymer (eg, poroxamer), microcrystalline cellulose, polyvinylpyrrolidone polyvinyl acetate copolymer, polyvinyl ester -Methyl copolymers, polyoxyethelene-polyoxypropylene block copolymers, and mixtures thereof. The thickness of the film may vary, but the film may have a thickness of about 0.1 micrometer to about 1500 micrometers (μm), as more fully described below. The tooth whitening composition may be provided as a stand-alone film, or may be applied to the back layer or strip of material, coated, or otherwise provided with the back layer or strip of material. .. The back layer can be provided as a single layer or as a laminate formed from multiple layers such as any combination of foams, meshes, or strips of material. The back layer can be water-soluble, partially water-soluble, water-insoluble, water-permeable, impermeable, or partially water-permeable. The back layer can be continuous or discontinuous (ie, formed from multiple separate segments). Examples of some suitable underlayers are U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,891,453, 5,989,

Hydration of water-soluble polymers by saliva in the oral cavity allows the release (eg, solubilization, diffusion, or transfer) of whitening agents incorporated into the polymer matrix. The whitening agent is released from the tooth whitening product to the tooth surface to which the tooth whitening composition is applied. Examples of whitening agents or bleaching agents suitable for carrying out the present invention include peroxides, metal chlorites, perborates, percarbonates, peroxy acids, persulfates, and combinations thereof. Suitable peroxide compounds include hydrogen peroxide, urea peroxide, calcium peroxide and mixtures thereof. Suitable metal chlorite salts include calcium chlorite, barium chlorate, magnesium chlorate, lithium chlorite, sodium chlorite, and potassium chlorite. A preferred chlorite is sodium chlorite. A preferred percarbonate is sodium percarbonate. The preferred persulfate is oxone.

If desired, the water-soluble polymer may be mixed with a plasticizer. Suitable plasticizers include glycols such as propylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, methoxypolyethylene glycol, polyhydric alcohols such as glycerin, sorbitol, and xylitol, and glycerol esters such as glycerol triacetate. Available from Union Carbide Corporation as Union Carbide's Carbowaxes series with molecular weights ranging from glycerin and propylene glycol or polyethylene glycol (eg, 0.00033 to 0.0009ag (200 to 600 daltons)). Is available). Other plasticizers include cellulose esters, sebacate esters, castor oil, tricresyl phosphate, phthalates, adipates, ethyl citrate, ethanolamine, and oligosaccharides.

If desired, any tooth whitening composition described herein may further comprise a certain amount of water. The amount of water present may vary depending on the degree of processing (eg, drying or hardening) that occurs. In this embodiment, after processing, the tooth whitening composition exceeds about 2% by weight, or exceeds about 4% by weight, or exceeds about 6% by weight, or exceeds about 10% by weight, and / or less than about 90% by weight. Alternatively, it may contain less than about 40% by weight, or less than about 30% by weight.

In one embodiment of the invention, as shown in FIG. 1, the tooth whitening product 20 comprises a water-soluble polymer film 22 and a solid whitening agent, wherein the solid whitening agent is the water-soluble polymer film 22. It is applied as a coating 24 on one surface. The solid whitening agent can be applied while the film is still sticky, or after the film has dried, cured, or cooled. Applying the dentate whitening agent in this manner reduces the exposure of the dentin whitening agent to water that may have been used as a solvent in forming the film, and also reduces the overall dentin whitening agent. The amount of contact between the water-soluble polymer and the dentin whitening agent is reduced as compared to a hydrateable film in which the solvent is dispersed. Further, in this embodiment, the concentration of the dentin whitening agent applied to the tooth on the tooth surface is increased. Such a coating can also help the tooth whitening agent diffuse towards the tooth surface, as it is directly adjacent to the tooth surface and / or contacts the tooth surface during use. Suitable solid dentate whitening agents that can be applied to one side of the water-soluble polymer film include carbimide peroxide, calcium peroxide, percarbonate, sodium percarbonate, perborate, persulfate, and Examples of these are mixtures. These dentate whitening agents can be sprayed or applied by gravure printing, mist grinding, drop grinding and other processes known in the art.

The coating of the solid dentate whitening agent may cover all or part of the water-soluble polymer film. The thickness of the coating is over about 0.001 micron, or over about 0.005 micron, or over about 0.01 micron, or over about 0.05 micron, or over about 0.1 micron, or over about 1 micron, or over 5 microns, and / or about. It can be less than 100 microns, or less than about 50 microns, or less than about 10 microns, or less than about 1 micron. The dose of dentate whitening agent per unit area is at least about 0.001 mg / cm²Or at least about 0.005 mg / cm²Or at least about 0.01 mg / cm²Or at least about 0.05 mg / cm²Or at least about 0.1 mg / cm²Or at least about 1 mg / cm²Or at least about 10 mg / cm²Or at least about 100 mg / cm², And / or about 500 mg / cm²Less than or about 250 mg / cm²Less than or about 100 mg / cm²Less than or about 10 mg / cm²Can be less than. Other materials can be mixed with the solid dentin whitening agent or applied sequentially before or after applying the solid dentate whitening agent. For example, binders, adhesives, starches, sweeteners and flavors, colorants (eg, to help distinguish the active side of the strip from the inactive side), tooth whitening from surfaces such as casting plates. Release agents that promote the release of the composition (eg, talc powder, mannitol powder, lecithin, corn oil, beeswax, silica, calcium monostearate, glycerol monostearate, alkali salts of long-chain fatty acids), alkalis. Acidity regulators, surfactants (eg, polysolvate 80 and glyceryl oleate), including agents or acidifying agents, and other oral care active substances can be applied as part of the application process. The solid dentate whitening agent can be applied in a dry form, but it is believed that a solvent can be used with the dentate whitening agent during application. In one embodiment, a solvent that solubilizes both the water-soluble polymer and the dentate whitening agent can be used when applying the dentin whitening agent to the surface of the water-soluble film. In this process, the dentate whitening agent is solubilized in a solvent and then applied to the surface of the water-soluble film so that the solvent can solubilize part of the film so that at least one dentate whitening agent is in the film. Distributed in parts. Alternatively, the solvent may only solubilize the dentate whitening agent, in which case a separate coating is formed on one side of the film after the solvent has evaporated or removed. Suitable solvents include solvents that can solubilize the dentate whitening agent at a given temperature but do not solubilize the water-soluble polymer at that temperature. Some examples are cellosolve acetate, anisole, 1,

The water-soluble polymer film 22 can be prepared using a conventional extrusion method, calendering method, pressing method or solution casting method. For example, to prepare a film by solution casting of polyethylene oxide, an ethylene oxide polymer or a mixture of polymers is dissolved in a sufficient amount of solvent that is compatible with the polymer. Examples of suitable solvents include water, alcohol, acetone, ethyl acetate, or mixtures thereof. After the solution is formed, add the plasticizer with agitation, heat to aid dissolution if necessary until a clear, homogeneous solution is formed, then whitening agent, flavoring agent, etc. Add with other ingredients. The solution is coated on a suitable supporting material and dried to form a film. The support material must have surface properties that evenly spread the polymer solution over the intended support material width without breaking the bond between the two substrates. Examples of suitable supporting materials include glass, stainless steel, Teflon, polyethylene impregnated kraft paper. The solution can also be cast on the back layer, pouch or portion of the package for the tooth whitening composition described above. Drying of the film may be carried out in a hot air tank using a drying oven, drying tunnel, vacuum dryer, or any other suitable drying device, after which the dentate whitening agent is sprayed onto the film. Can be done.

In another embodiment of the invention, it is possible to increase the efficacy and / or stability of the dentin whitening agent by forming a water-soluble film in a solvent other than water, which allows the teeth during the formation process. The whitening agent does not come into contact with water and can prevent residual water from remaining after the film is manufactured. As used herein, the term "stability" is intended to refer to the tendency of a material to maintain its original concentration or structure over a period of time. As used herein, the term "efficacy" is intended to refer to the amount of whitening of teeth per unit time. In one process, the water-soluble polymer and dentate whitening agent are mixed and then fed to the extruder, where the twist caused by mechanical action melts the hydrateable polymer. The molten polymer is then extruded into a film that is molded into a tooth whitening product.

The efficacy of the dentin whitening agent can also be increased by reducing the amount of water-soluble polymer that forms the film. In one embodiment, the water-soluble polymer film further comprises a water-insoluble organic additive and / or a water-insoluble inorganic additive, reducing the amount of the water-soluble polymer, resulting in solubilization of the dentate whitening agent during use. Is the maximum. Suitable water-insoluble organic materials include polyolefins (eg, polyethylene, polypropylene, polybutene, polyisoprene and copolymers thereof) and polyesters. Suitable water-insoluble inorganic materials include calcium phosphate, calcium pyrophosphate and titanium dioxide and silica. Water-insoluble additives are at least about 10% by weight, or at least about 20% by weight, or at least about 30% by weight, and / or less than about 90% by weight, or less than about 80% by weight, or less than about 70% by weight of the film. , Or less than about 50% by weight, or less than about 40% by weight, or less than about 30% by weight. In these embodiments, the amount of water-soluble polymer is at least about 5% by weight, or at least about 10% by weight, or at least about 20% by weight, or at least about 30% by weight, and / or less than about 90% by weight of the film. , Or less than about 80% by weight, or less than about 70% by weight. Water-insoluble additives can be ground before being incorporated into the film. In one embodiment, the average particle size of the water-insoluble additive is at least about 1 micron, or at least about 20 microns, or at least about 25 microns, and / or less than about 100 microns, or less than about 50 microns, or about 25. Less than a micron, or less than about 10 microns. Use for reaction with dentate whitening agents as more water is available to solubilize the dentin whitening agent than to hydrate or otherwise solubilize the hydrateable polymer. In addition to reducing the amount of water-soluble polymer that can be produced, it is possible to increase the concentration of dentin whitening agent available on the tooth surface during hydration. Tooth whitening agent is US Pat. No. 6,419,

In another embodiment of the invention, a web, scrim or mesh is further incorporated into the tooth whitening product to improve film hydration. Webs, scrims or meshes can be formed from fibers that are aligned in a random or repeating geometric pattern. With reference to FIG. 2, a tooth whitening product 120 containing a web 32 is illustrated. The web 32 is formed from fibers 34 arranged in a repeating geometric pattern. The fibers can be formed from one or more water-insoluble, water-soluble, or hydrateable polymers and may be incorporated therein. If the fibers are formed from a water-insoluble material, the web may function in a manner similar to the films described above incorporating the water-insoluble material. The fibers are arranged in such a manner as to provide voids 36 between the fibers. The voids can promote the hydration of the web 32 and therefore the solubilization of the dentin whitening agent. The size of the voids can vary or can be substantially constant over the entire web. For example, the voids may be smaller in one region and larger in another, depending on the desired hydration rate. Fiber 34 is at least about 1 micron, or at least about 5 microns, or at least about 10 microns, or at least about 20 microns, or at least about 50 microns, and / or less than about 200 microns, or less than about 100 microns, or about 50. It can have a fiber diameter of less than a micron, or less than about 20 microns. The interfiber spacing 38 is at least about 1 micron, or at least about 5 microns, or at least about 10 microns, or at least about 20 microns, or at least about 50 microns, or at least about 1 mm, or at least about 1.5 mm, and / or. Less than about 5 mm, or less than about 2.5 mm, or less than about 1.5 mm, or less than about 50 microns.

In an alternative embodiment, the tooth whitening product 220 shown in FIG. 3 comprises a web 32 having a coating or layer 44 applied thereto. The web 32 can be formed from a water-soluble, water-insoluble, or hydrateable polymer, or other polymer (eg, polypropylene, polyethylene, etc.) and other materials such as cellulose. The fibers 34 of the web 32 can be arranged in a random or repeating pattern. Coating 44 contains a water-soluble polymer and a dentate whitening agent. The coating may include other materials such as plasticizers, water, water-insoluble additives. The coating can bridge the voids 36 so that a substantially solid layer is formed on the web 32. The coating may completely fill the voids as shown in FIG. 3 or partially fill the voids as shown in FIG. 4 for the tooth whitening product 320. When the voids are partially filled, the pockets 50 formed can promote the hydration of the web and thus the solubilization and release of the dentate whitening agent. Alternatively, the coating 44 may only partially bridge the voids to the tooth whitening product 420, as shown in FIG. In another embodiment, further, the coating 44 does not bridge the voids 36 of the web 32 to the tooth whitening product 520, as shown in FIG. 6, but merely the fibers 34 in whole or in part. Just coat.

The concentration of the dentin whitening agent in the coating and / or the fiber, as well as the amount of the water-soluble polymer, depends on the extent to which the coating bridges the voids and / or coats the fiber, and the desired solubilization of the dentin whitening agent. Based on the rate, it can be changed within these web embodiments. As will be appreciated, in one embodiment, any combination of complete void filling, partial void filling, partial void bridging, and fibrous coating may be provided.

In a related embodiment, a perforated film without a clear web or scrim may be provided, as shown in FIG. In the tooth whitening product 620, a monolayer or multilayer film containing a water-soluble polymer, a tooth whitening agent, a plasticizer, and optionally water may be provided. The film can be perforated after drying or curing. The voids, holes or openings 630 formed during the perforation process can penetrate the thickness of the film completely or may penetrate only part of the thickness of the film. Void 636 can have the same diameter as described above for web voids. As mentioned above, the voids 636 are provided in a random or repeating pattern and can be resized and shaped. Furthermore, this embodiment may include coating of a dentate whitening agent as described above or other mechanisms of the embodiment described above.

In another embodiment of the invention, the tooth whitening product 720 is provided in the form of a laminated film, as shown in FIG. The laminated film contains two or more layers containing a water-soluble polymer and / or a hydrateable polymer. The first layer 64 to be applied to the tooth further comprises a dentin whitening agent. The polymer should be at least about 1% by weight, or at least about 10% by weight, or at least about 20% by weight, and / or less than about 90% by weight, or less than about 70% by weight, or less than about 50% by weight of the first layer. Configure. Tooth whitening agents are at least about 1% by weight, or at least about 10% by weight, or at least about 15% by weight, and / or less than about 70% by weight, or less than about 60% by weight, or about 50% by weight of the first layer. Configure less than%. The residue of the first layer may contain water or other material such as the water-insoluble additives or plasticizers mentioned above. The second layer 66, located adjacent to the lips and / or cheeks during use, is preferably free of dentin whitening agents. The polymer of the second layer 66 is at least about 20% by weight, or at least about 30% by weight, or at least about 40% by weight of the second layer, and / or less than about 100% by weight, or less than about 90% by weight, or about. Consists of less than 80% by weight. The plasticizer is at least about 0.1% by weight, or at least about 1% by weight, or at least about 2% by weight of the second layer, and / or less than about 40% by weight, or less than about 30% by weight, or less than about 20% by weight. To configure. The remainder of layer 66 may include water, water-insoluble additives, or other materials such as oral care active substances other than dentate whitening agents. Examples of other oral care active substances suitable for use with the present invention include phosphates (eg, pyrophosphates, polyphosphates, polyphosphonates, and mixtures thereof), fluoride ion sources, antibacterial agents. Agents, anti-inflammatory agents, nutrients and enzymes. These oral care active substances are further described in US Pat. No. 6,096, It is described in No. 328 (and the patent cited herein). These oral care active substances can also be incorporated into films containing only a single layer and formed from water-soluble polymers and / or hydrateable polymers (eg, polyethyylene oxide) and plasticizers. , Its basic formation is described in US Pat. No. 6,419,906.

The composition of the first layer 64 and the second layer 66 of the tooth whitening product 720 can be adapted to impart different functionality. For example, the first layer 64 may contain less water-soluble polymer / hydrateable polymer than the second layer 66, so that the first layer 64 hydrates the dentate whitening agent more quickly. And thereby solubilize the dentate whitening agent more quickly and more effectively (ie, provide higher concentrations more quickly). The second layer can contain a relatively large amount of water-soluble polymer / hydrateable polymer, whereby the second layer allows some hydration from the back side of the tooth whitening product, while still allowing some hydration. It acts as a barrier layer that prevents the solubilized dentin whitening agent from diverging away from the teeth. Also, the second outer layer contains more water-soluble polymer and therefore remains in a film-like state longer than the first layer 64, so that the dentin whitening agent acts on the teeth for a longer period of time. Let's go. Also, without the dentin whitening agent from the second layer, tissue tolerance can be improved because the peroxide source is not directly adjacent to the soft tissues of the lips and cheeks. The tooth whitening product 720 can be formed by first casting the first layer and then casting the second layer on top of the first layer before or after the first layer has dried or hardened. The layers can be pressed together by aligned rollers, thus blocking the gap created between the first and second layers. The first and second layers may contain the same water soluble polymer or separate water soluble polymers.

In another aspect of the invention, the film containing the water-soluble polymer and the dentin whitening agent is provided in a thin form with an increased concentration of the dentin whitening agent. The thickness of the film is at least about 1 μm, or at least about 5 μm, or at least about 10 μm, or at least about 15 μm, and / or less than about 2 mm, or less than about 1 mm, or less than about 0.5 mm, or less than about 0.25 mm, or Less than about 0.1 mm, or less than about 20 μm, or less than about 15 μm. Concentrations of dentate whitening agents are at least about 1%, or at least about 10%, or at least about 15%, or at least about 20%, or at least about 25%, and / or less than about 70%, or less than about 60%. , Or less than about 50%, or less than about 40%, or less than about 30%. Surprisingly, these high levels of dentin whitening agents are utilized while maintaining acceptable soft tissue tolerability without the need for cumbersome rubber dams or other artificial soft tissue barriers. Can be done. As used herein, the term "artificial barrier" means any physics intended to prevent or prevent the tooth whitening agent from moving onto the soft tissue adjacent to the tooth during bleaching action. Intended to point to a means. As another artificial barrier, a photocurable resin can be mentioned. As used herein, the phrase "soft tissue tolerability" refers to the degree to which the user perceives the perception often expressed as burning or stinging, or the degree to which the user perceives irritation of the gingival tissue. Intended to point. This perception can range from mild to severe. In addition, one or more layers, preferably free of dentate whitening agents, can be provided adjacent to the aforementioned layers containing dentate whitening agents.

In another embodiment of the invention, the tooth whitening composition comprises two or more water-soluble polymers, a tooth whitening agent, and optionally a plasticizer and / or water. The tooth whitening composition may be provided as a stand-alone film or, in other shapes, as a layer on the back layer. In one embodiment, the first water-soluble polymer is polyvinyl alcohol and the second water-soluble polymer is polyethylene oxide, polypropylene oxide, crosslinked polyacrylic acid (eg, Carbopol), linear polyacrylic acid. , Acrylate Polymers (eg, Noveon, Avalure AC) from Inc), Cleveland, Ohio), sodium alginate, methyl methacrylate, xanthan gum, pectin, purulan, guar gum, agar, polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), carrageenan, cellulose (eg, carboxymethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl) Cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, and hydroxymethylcellulose), polyethylene oxide polypropylene oxide copolymers (eg, poroxamer), microcrystalline cellulose, polyvinylpyrrolidone polyvinylacetate copolymers, polyvinylester-methyl copolymers, polyoxyethelene-polyoxy Propropylene block copolymers, polyurethanes (eg Noveon, Inc, Avalure UR from (Cleveland, Ohio)), acrylic acid-alkyl methacrylate copolymers (eg Noveon, Inc.) Selected from the group consisting of Pemulen) from Inc), (Cleveland, Ohio) and mixtures thereof. The combination of polyvinyl alcohol and a second water-soluble polymer, coupled with the long-term adhesion provided by the polyvinyl alcohol polymer, provides a tooth whitening composition with good initial adhesive properties for application to teeth. Is believed to be particularly beneficial for long-term wear applications (eg overnight) use.

Tooth whitening compositions comprising polyethylene oxide polymers and polyvinyl alcohol polymers will be described therein. A third water-soluble polymer may also be provided. A preferred tertiary water-soluble polymer is crosslinked polyacrylic acid (eg, Carbopol). Polyethylene oxide has an average molecular weight of greater than about 100,000, or more than about 200,000, or more than about 300,000, or more than about 600,000, and / or less than about 10,000,000, or less than about 4,000,000, or less than about 1,500,000, or less than about 900,000. May be. Tooth whitening compositions are about 10% by weight, or about 20% by weight, or about 30% by weight, or about 40% by weight, and / or less than about 90% by weight, or less than about 60% by weight. Alternatively, it may contain less than about 50% by weight of polyethylene oxide. The tooth whitening composition may contain a mixture of polyethylene oxides having different average molecular weights. Tooth whitening compositions are about 0.5% by weight, or about 2% by weight, or about 5% by weight, and / or less than about 90%, or less than 50%, or less than 20% by weight. Alternatively, it may contain less than about 15% by weight, or less than about 10% by weight, polyvinyl alcohol. The ratio of polyethylene oxide polymer to polyvinyl alcohol polymer is about 10: 90 to about 90: 0.5, or about 50: 2 to about 30 :. It may be 20. Polyvinyl alcohol may be hydrolyzed to varying degrees. The degree of hydrolysis indicates the degree of conversion of polyvinyl acetate to polyvinyl alcohol. As the degree of hydrolysis of polyvinyl alcohol increases, the mixture of polyethylene oxide and polyvinyl alcohol will be more adhesive and less cohesive. Therefore, as the degree of hydrolysis of polyvinyl alcohol increases, less polyvinyl alcohol is needed for the same amount of polyethylene oxide to provide the same level of adhesion. Polyvinyl alcohol may be hyperhydrolyzed, fully hydrolyzed, moderately hydrolyzed, or partially hydrolyzed. In general, the range of hydrolysis from partial hydrolysis to superhydrolysis is from about 70% (partial hydrolysis) to about 99.5% (superhydrolysis). In one embodiment, the extent of hydrolysis is about 70% over, or about 80% over, or about 87% over, and / or less than about 99%, or less than about 95%, or less than about 91%. As used herein, the phrase "hydrolysis" is intended to refer to the level of hydrolysis of the raw material prior to the manufacture of the tooth whitening composition. In another embodiment, the range of hydrolysis is from about 87% to about 91% by weight and the amount of polyvinyl alcohol is from about 5% to about 50% by weight of the tooth whitening composition. The tooth whitening composition may also contain a plasticizer, if desired. In one embodiment, the tooth whitening composition is about 1% by weight, or about 10% by weight, or about 20% by weight, and / or less than about 80%, or less than about 60%, or about. It may contain less than 80% by weight of plasticizer. A preferred plasticizer is polyethylene glycol. A more preferred plasticizer is polyethylene glycol having a molecular weight of about 200 to about 9,000. The tooth whitening composition may also optionally include water at the same levels as described herein. The tooth whitening composition is about 0. Even if it contains hydrogen peroxide in excess of 5% by weight, or in excess of about 3% by weight, or in excess of about 6% by weight, and / or less than about 40% by weight, or less than about 20% by weight, or less than about 10% by weight. Good. Also, the above-described embodiments of tooth whitening compositions containing two water-soluble polymers have been described herein such as meshes or scrims, water-insoluble organic or water-insoluble inorganic additives, perforations, etc. Any other embodiment of the embodiment may be incorporated.

Non-limiting examples of the above-described embodiments incorporating a mixture of polyethylene oxide and polyvinyl alcohol will be described below. It will be appreciated that these compositions may include additional ingredients, or other ingredients may be substituted with those listed. Each example describes a pre- and post-processing tooth whitening composition formulation that reduces the water content.

Example 1<tables num="1"><img file="JP2010111678A_D0001.tif" /></tables>

Example 2<tables num="2"><img file="JP2010111678A_D0002.tif" /></tables>

Example 3<tables num="3"><img file="JP2010111678A_D0003.tif" /></tables>

Example 4<tables num="4"><img file="JP2010111678A_D0004.tif" /></tables>

Embodiments of the polyethylene oxide / polyvinyl alcohol mixture of the present invention comprising Examples 1 to 4 include a first mixture containing polyethylene oxide and a solvent (eg, water), and a first mixture containing polyvinyl alcohol and a solvent (eg, water). It can be made by preparing a mixture. It will also be appreciated that mixtures of solvents may also be used herein. Both mixtures are stirred separately until both polyethylene oxide and polyvinyl alcohol are sufficiently hydrated. The first and second mixtures are combined and a dentate whitening agent (eg, hydrogen peroxide) and optionally a plasticizer (eg, polyethylene glycol 600) are added. The tooth whitening composition may be cast on a back layer or a suitable dry surface. The tooth whitening composition is then dried until the desired amount of solvent is removed. The tooth whitening composition can be freeze-dried, or a tunnel dryer incorporating radiant heating or convection heating can be used. In one embodiment, the tooth whitening composition is about 0.085 m at room temperature.³/ Minute ~ about 0.3m³It can be dried in a drying box using a nitrogen-air mixture with a flow rate of / minute. The drying time may be about 15 minutes to about 2 hours, or about 20 minutes to about 60 minutes.

Another embodiment of the invention for a tooth whitening composition comprising crosslinked polyacrylic acid, such as a carboxymethylene polymer sold under the trade name Carbopol, and a polyvinyl alcohol polymer, is here. Will be listed. Toothwhitening compositions are about 0.1% by weight, about 0.5% by weight, about 1% by weight, about 2% by weight, about 5% by weight, and / or less than about 10% by weight, about 15% by weight. Less than, less than about 20% by weight, less than about 25% by weight, less than about 30% by weight, less than about 40% by weight, less than about 50% by weight may contain crosslinked polyacrylic acid. Prior to processing, the tooth whitening composition was about 0.01% by weight, about 0.02% by weight, about 0.05% by weight, about 0.1% by weight, about 1% by weight, about 1.5% by weight, about 2% by weight. It may contain cross-linked polyacrylic acid in excess of%, over about 5% by weight, and / or less than about 10% by weight, less than about 15% by weight, and less than about 20% by weight. Suitable crosslinked polyacrylic acids include Carbopol 956, Carbopol 940, Carbopol 910, and Carbopol 970. Tooth whitening compositions are about 0.5% by weight, or about 2% by weight, or about 5% by weight, and / or less than about 90%, or less than 50%, or less than 20% by weight. Alternatively, it may contain less than about 15% by weight, or less than about 10% by weight, polyvinyl alcohol. The ratio of polyvinyl alcohol to crosslinked polyacrylic acid may be from about 0.5:50 to about 90: 0.01, or from about 1: 1 to about 10: 1, or from about 1: 6 to about 2: 1. Polyvinyl alcohol may be hydrolyzed to varying degrees and may optionally include a plasticizer, both of which are as described above. Further, the tooth whitening composition may contain water if desired. The tooth whitening composition is about 0.5% by weight or more than about 3% by weight, or about 6% by weight, and / or less than about 40% by weight, or less than about 20% by weight, or It may contain less than about 10% by weight hydrogen peroxide.

Non-limiting examples of tooth whitening compositions containing crosslinked polyacrylic acid and polyvinyl alcohol will be described below. It will be appreciated that these compositions may include additional ingredients, or other ingredients may be substituted with those listed. Each example describes a pre- and post-processing tooth whitening composition formulation that reduces the water content.

Example 1<tables num="5"><img file="JP2010111678A_D0005.tif" /></tables>

Example 2<tables num="6"><img file="JP2010111678A_D0006.tif" /></tables>

Example 3<tables num="7"><img file="JP2010111678A_D0007.tif" /></tables>

Example 4<tables num="8"><img file="JP2010111678A_D0008.tif" /></tables>

In another embodiment, the dentate whitening composition of the present invention comprises PVP and polyethylene oxide, polypropylene oxide, crosslinked polyacrylic acid (eg, Carbopol), linear polyacrylic acid, polyvinyl alcohol, alginate. Sodium, methyl methacrylate, xanthan gum, pectin, pullulan, guar gum, agar, carrageNan, cellulose (eg, hydroxypropyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose and hydroxymethyl cellulose), polyethylene oxide polypropylene oxide copolymer (eg, poloxamer), microcrystalline cellulose, polyvinylpyrrolidone polyvinylacetate copolymer, polyvinyl ester-methyl copolymer, polyoxy Includes ethylene (polyoxyethelene) -polyoxypropylene block copolymers, and secondary polymers containing one or more mixtures thereof. The concentration of the primary polymer is less than about 50% by weight, less than about 40% by weight, less than about 30% by weight, less than about 25% by weight, less than about 20% by weight, less than about 15% by weight, or It may be less than about 10% by weight, while the concentration of the second polymer may be higher than the concentration of the first polymer, from about 0% to about 90% by weight of the dentate whitening composition. May be good. In another embodiment, the concentration of the second polymer may be in excess of about 50% by weight, or in excess of about 60% by weight, or in excess of about 70% by weight, or in excess of about 80% by weight of the tooth whitening composition. .. The tooth whitening composition may further include any aspect of any of the embodiments described herein. For example, the tooth whitening composition can further include water and / or a plasticizer. Examples of the plasticizer include glycols such as propylene glycol, polyethylene glycol and methoxypolyethylene glycol, polyhydric alcohols such as glycerin, sorbitol, and xylitol, and glycerol esters such as glycerol triacetate. Glycerin and propylene glycol or polyethylene glycol (molecular weight 0.00033 ~ 0. Union Carbide's Carbowaxes series in the range of 0009ag (200-600 Dalton), such as those available from Union Carbide Corporation) can be used. Other plasticizers include cellulose esters, sebacate esters, castor oil, tricresyl phosphate, phthalates, adipates, ethyl citrate, ethanolamine, and oligosaccharides. Concentrations of water and / or plasticizers are greater than about 40% by weight, or more than about 45% by weight, or more than about 50% by weight, or more than about 55% by weight, and less than about 80% by weight, of the tooth whitening composition. Alternatively, it may be less than about 70% by weight, or less than about 60% by weight.

All of the above-described embodiments of the present invention are further combined with other layers, such as a thin protective coating layer, for example 10 nanometers (nm) to 500 microns (μm) thick, or a backing layer formed from strips of material. It can also be combined. The back layer may be water insoluble or water soluble or erodible, as described, for example, in US Published Patent Application 2003/0228264. The coating may be applied in a layer thin enough to match the whitening strip to the alignment of multiple teeth without interfering with the flexibility of the film. Some coatings are one or a combination of high molecular weight (ie, greater than 1.66ag (1,000,000 daltons)), ethyl cellulose, propyl cellulose, isopropyl cellulose, butyl cellulose, t-butyl cellulose, cellulose acetate, and. Derivatives of polyvinyl alcohol (eg, polyvinyl acetate and cellulose, etc.) can be mentioned.

The tooth whitening products of the present invention can be packaged as individual straps in a pouch, or rolls of film can be fed into a tape-like dispenser, where the individual strips are for use in the oral cavity. Can be cut from the roll, or the film can be provided with perforations or other fragility mechanisms that allow strips of a given length to be separated from the roll of film. If desired, the tooth whitening products of the present invention may further include a release liner. The release liner can be formed from any material that exhibits less affinity for the film and / or the web than the film or web exhibits for itself. The release liner can be formed from polymer films, paper, foil, woven fabrics, non-woven fabrics, and other suitable materials known in the art. If desired, the release liner can include coatings such as waxes, silicones, Teflon®, fluoropolymers and the like. The film of the present invention can be formed directly on the release liner. The release liner can be cut to the desired size either before or after the film is formed on it. The tooth whitening products of the present invention are also provided as dental tray liners, such as those described in US Pat. No. 5,098,303, where the strips are incorporated into the dental tray trough.

In using the tooth whitening products of the present invention, suitable when the film is hydrated by saliva in the oral cavity or pre-wet by immersing the strip in water and applied to the tooth surface. Will be applied to the teeth in a similar manner. In this regard, the tooth whitening product is formed to have a width dimension suitable for covering a row of teeth (upper row or lower row). Therefore, the tooth whitening product may be applied separately or simultaneously to the upper row of teeth or the lower row of teeth. The length dimension of the tooth whitening product is determined by the desired coating amount. In this regard, the number of teeth that should be whitened will determine the dimensions of the product. For example, it may be desired to whiten only the anterior teeth that are most visible to others. Therefore, the length of the tooth whitening product in this case can be shorter than in the case where it is desired to whiten all the teeth. The duration of application of the product to the teeth will depend on the type and concentration of the dentin whitening agent and the type and strength of the exogenous or endogenous stains.

The embodiments described herein provide the best examples of the principles of the invention and practical applications thereof, and as a result, those skilled in the art will make the invention suitable for the intended specific use in various embodiments. Selected and described to be available with various modifications. All such modifications and variations are within the scope of the invention as determined by the appended claims when properly, legally and fairly construed according to the extent to which they are entitled.

<figref num="1">It is a side sectional view of the tooth whitening product produced according to this invention, and the coating of the tooth whitening agent is applied to the film.</figref><figref num="2">It is a perspective view of another embodiment of the tooth whitening product of the present invention, in which the tooth whitening product comprises a web and a coating that completely bridges the voids of the web, in order to clarify the mechanism under it. In addition, part of the coating has been removed.</figref><figref num="3">FIG. 2 is a side sectional view of the tooth whitening product of FIG. 2, where the voids are shown as partially filled.</figref><figref num="4">FIG. 2 is a side sectional view of the tooth whitening product of FIG. 2, where the voids are shown as fully filled.</figref><figref num="5">FIG. 5 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the tooth whitening product of the present invention, wherein the tooth whitening product comprises a web and a coating that partially bridges the voids of the web.</figref><figref num="6">FIG. 5 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the tooth whitening product of the present invention, wherein the tooth whitening product comprises a web and a coating that does not bridge the voids of the web.</figref><figref num="7">Side sectional view of another embodiment of the tooth whitening product of the present invention comprising a perforated film.</figref><figref num="8">FIG. 3 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the tooth whitening product of the present invention including the first layer and the second layer.</figref>