Products for teeth whitening

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to products for whitening teeth, and in particular, to products for whitening teeth containing embedded bleach.

BACKGROUND

In recent years, whitening has become very popular. More and more people decide to whiten your teeth. Tooth whitening toothpastes are used, rinse, chewing gum, outpatient bleaching and often used with a tray teeth whitening solutions, or purchased at retail, or produced by a dentist. The prior art products for bleaching teeth using the strip of material in combination with a reactive bleach. Despite the fact that such whitening products can be used for its intended purpose, there remains a need to improve the aesthetic properties and ease of use of these products for whitening teeth.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Proposed product for whitening teeth. This product consists of a substrate and tooth whitening composition. Tooth whitening composition includes first and second polymers, water, and a tooth whitening agent. The first polymer is a water soluble polymer and the second polymer is polyvinyl alcohol.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

While the specification concludes with claims particularly disclosing and claiming the present invention is straight, it is believed that the present invention will be better understood from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

1 is a side view in cross section of a tooth whitening product made in accordance with the present invention, the coating for the tooth whitening product is applied to the film;

2 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a tooth whitening product of the present invention, wherein the tooth whitening product comprises a web and a coating that completely fills voids mesh and the portion of the coating removed to show signs located underneath;

3 is a side view in cross section of the product shown in Figure 2, where voids are shown partially filled;

4 is a side view in cross section of the product shown in Figure 2, which shows the fully-filled voids;

5 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a tooth whitening product of the present invention, wherein the tooth whitening product comprises a web and a coating that partially connects voids mesh;

6 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a tooth whitening product of the present invention, wherein the tooth whitening product comprises a web and a coating that does not bridge the void mesh;

7 is a side view in cross section of another embodiment of a tooth whitening product of the present invention that comprises a perforated film;

8 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a tooth whitening product of the present invention which comprises a first layer and a second layer.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

All patents mentioned herein and patent applications are incorporated here by reference. All weight percentages refer to the tooth whitening composition after processing (e.g., after drying, cooling, curing, extrusion, or casting) unless stated otherwise. Reference is made to detailed embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals throughout the drawings denote the same elements, the elements having the same two last digits (e.g., 20 and 120) indicate similar elements. The present invention relates to products for whitening teeth comprising a tooth whitening composition comprising a tooth whitener and one or more water-soluble polymers, and optionally, water, and a plasticizer. In another embodiment, the present invention is directed to bleaching compositions comprising a polyethylene oxide polymer and another one embodiment the invention is directed to tooth whitening compositions comprising a polyvinyl alcohol polymer. The term "water soluble" as used herein preferably means a compound or composition which is soluble in water in an amount more than 5 wt.%, Preferably more than 10 wt.%, Or even more preferably more than 15 wt.%, When measured in water at 20 ° With unassisted pH adjusting agents, including solutes which requires a temperature above 20 ° C to dissolve in water, but which nevertheless comprise the above mentioned weight percentages when the solution is cooled to 20 ° C. Solubility is determined by centrifugation at 15,000 rev / min for 30 minutes without separation. Solutions containing water soluble polymer may be opaque, translucent or transparent. More preferably, "water soluble" refers to a compound or composition whose solubility in water is greater than 5 wt.%, Preferably more than 10 wt.% Or more preferably more than 15 wt.%, By mixing the first water at 20 ° C without adjusting the pH agents. Water-soluble polymers are preferably also hydratable. As used herein, the term "hydratable" refers to a compound or composition that absorbs water. Although the present invention will be described herein with respect to films or strips, it is contemplated that the present invention may be used in other products for whitening teeth, for example, dental trays. Suitable for use in the present invention, water-soluble polymers are also hydratable include ethylene oxide polymers, homopolymers or mixtures of ethylene oxide polymers of varying molecular weight ranging from 10,000 Daltons to 10,000,000 Daltons and preferably in the range from 100,000 to 1,500,000 Daltons . Such polyethylene oxide polymers are commercially available products. Polyethylene oxide having a molecular weight of from 10,000 to 1,000,000 Daltons is available from the Dow Chemical Company under the tradename POLYOXtm. Other suitable polymers include polypropylene oxide, polyacrylic acid cross-linked, e.g., Carbopol, linear polyacrylic acid, polyvinyl alcohol, sodium alginate, methyl methacrylate, xanthan gum, pectin, pullulan, guar gum, agar, polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), carrageenan, cellulose (e.g., hydroxypropyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose and hydroxymethyl cellulose), polyethylene oxide and polypropylene oxide copolymers (e.g., poloxamer), microcrystalline cellulose, copolymers of polyvinylpyrrolidone and polyvinyl acetate, copolymers of methyl polyvinyl esters, block copolymers of polyoxyethylene-polyoxypropylene and mixtures thereof. Although, as discussed in more detail later, the film thickness can be varied, the film may have a thickness from about 0.1 microns to about 1500 microns (μm). Tooth whitening composition can be formed as separate films, or may be covered, or coated, or in any other way connected to the protective layer or strip of material. The protective layer may be formed as a single layer or as a laminate formed of a plurality of layers, such as any combination of foam, mesh or strips of material. The protective layer may be soluble, partially soluble, insoluble, permeable, waterproof, or partially water permeable. The protective layer may be either continuous or discontinuous, for example made of a plurality of individual segments. Some examples of suitable protective layers are described in U.S. Patent №№5.891.453, 5,989,569 and US application №2004 / 0005277.

Hydration of the water soluble polymer by saliva in the oral cavity allows release, for example, by increasing the mobility, diffusion or dissolution, the whitening agent incorporated into the polymer matrix. The bleaching agent is released from the tooth whitening product to the tooth surfaces that are in contact whitening composition. Bleaching or lightening agents suitable for the present invention include peroxides, metal chlorites, perborates, percarbonates, peroxyacids, persulfates, and combinations thereof. Suitable peroxide compounds include hydrogen peroxide, urea peroxide, calcium peroxide, and mixtures thereof. Suitable metal chlorites include calcium chlorite, barium chlorite, magnesium chlorite, lithium chlorite, sodium chlorite and potassium chlorite. The preferred chlorite is sodium chlorite. A preferred percarbonate is sodium percarbonate. Preferred persulfates are oxones.

Optionally, the water soluble polymer may be mixed with a plasticizer. Suitable for this purpose plasticizers include glycols such as propylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, methoxypolyethylene glycol, multinuclear alcohols, for example glycerol, sorbitol and xylitol, and glycerol esters such as glycerol triacetate. Glycerin can be used interchangeably with propylene glycol or polyethylene glycol, such as those available from Union Carbide Corp. Series Carbowax having a molecular weight of from 200 to 600 daltons. Other plasticizers include cellulose esters, sebacate esters, castor oil, tricresyl phosphate, phthalate, adipate, ethyl citrate, ethanolamine, and oligosaccharides.

Any of the herein described tooth whitening composition can optionally further comprise a quantity of water which can vary according to the ongoing processing, such as drying or curing. Embodiments of the present invention can include water in an amount not less than about 2 wt.%, Or about 4 wt.%, Or about 6 wt.%, Or about 10 wt.%, And (or) not more than about 90 wt.% or about 40 wt.%, or about 30 wt.% of the tooth whitening composition after processing.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the article 20 for whitening teeth comprises a water soluble polymeric film 22 and a solid whitening agent applied as a coating 24 on one side of a water soluble polymeric film 22, as shown in Figure 1. The solid whitening agent can be applied while the film is still tacky or after the film is dried, solidified or cooled. Overlay whitening agent in this manner reduces impact on the whitening agent of any water that may be used as a solvent in forming the film and also reduces the contact between the bleaching agent and water soluble polymer, as compared with the water hydratable film on which the tooth whitening agent is dispersed. In addition, the present embodiment has an increased concentration of the tooth whitening agent at the surface that is applied to the teeth. Such a coating can also facilitate the diffusion of the bleaching agent to the tooth surface since the coating is directly adjacent and (or) contact with the tooth surface during use. Suitable solid tooth whitening agents that can be applied to one side of a water soluble polymeric film include urea peroxide, calcium peroxide, percarbonate, sodium percarbonate, perborates, persulfates, and mixtures thereof. Such bleaching agents may be applied by spraying, by etching, grinding with a fine spray droplet spray, as well as other methods known in the art.

Coating of the solid tooth whitening agent can cover all the water soluble polymer film or a portion thereof. The thickness of the coating can be greater than about 0.001 microns, or be greater than about 0.005 microns, or about 0.01 microns, or be greater than about 0.05 microns, or greater than about 0.1 microns, or greater than about 1 micron, or greater than about 5 microns, and (or) less than about 100 microns, or less than about 50 microns, or less than about 10 microns, or less than about 1 micron. The dosage of bleaching agent per unit area is at least about 0.001 mg / cm2, or at least about 0.005 mg / cm2, or at least about 0.01 mg / cm2, or at least about 0.05 mg / cm2 or at least about 0.1 mg / cm2, or at least about 1 mg / cm2, or at least about 10 mg / cm2, or at least about 100 mg / cm2, and (or) less than about 500 mg / cm2, or less than about 250 mg / cm2, or less than about 100 mg / cm2, or less than about 10 mg / cm2. Other materials may be mixed with the solid tooth whitening agent or may be applied sequentially before or after application of said bleaching agent. For example, as a separate step may be applied to binders, adhesives, starches, sweeteners and flavorants, colorants (e.g., to facilitate detection of active and inactive sides of the strip), releasing agents (e.g., talc powder, powdered mannitol, lecithin, oil of wheat, beeswax wax, silica, glycerol monostearate, calcium monostearate, glycerol, alkali metal salts of fatty long chain acids) which facilitate release of the bleaching composition from the surface, for example, duplex model plate, pH adjusters include alkalinizing or acidifying agents, surfactants (e.g. , polysorbate 80 and glyceryl oleate), and other active ingredients for oral care. Although the bleaching agent can be applied in dry form, it is understood that in using the bleaching agent together with the solvent can be used. In one embodiment, a solvent which dissolves both water-soluble polymer and a whitening agent, can be employed when applying the tooth whitening agent to the surface of the water-soluble film. In this process, the bleach dissolves in a solvent and then applied to the surface water-soluble film so as to at least partially dispersed therein as the solvent dissolves the film portion. Alternatively, the solvent may only dissolve the whitening agent, wherein the discontinuous coating remains on one side of the film after solvent evaporation or removal. Suitable solvents could include solvents that can dissolve the whitening agent at a given temperature, but not dissolved at the same temperature, a water-soluble polymer. Some examples include cellosolve, anisole, 1,4-dioxane, ethyl acetate, ethylenediamine, dimethyl cellosolve, cellosolve solvent, alcohols such as ethanol, methanol or isopropanol, carbitol solvent, n-butanol, cuyl Cellosolve, n-butyl, 2 propanol and methyl cellosolve, and mixtures thereof.

The water soluble polymeric film 22 can be obtained by conventional extrusion, calendaring, pressing or solvent casting. For example, to prepare a film by casting a solution of polyethylene oxide, ethylene oxide polymer or mixture of polymers is dissolved in a sufficient amount of a solvent which is compatible with this polymer. Examples of suitable solvents include water, alcohols, acetone, ethyl acetate, or mixtures thereof. After the formation of the solution was added, with stirring, a plasticizer and if necessary, is heated to facilitate dissolution until until a clear and homogeneous solution, then add the whitening agent and any other ingredients such as flavoring. The solution is applied onto a suitable carrier material and dried to obtain a film. The carrier material must have such properties that allow the polymer solution to spread evenly over the surface of the selected carrier does not impregnate it, thus forming a frangible barrier between the two substrates. Examples of suitable carrier materials include glass, stainless steel, teflon, polyethylene-impregnated kraft paper. The solution may also be poured onto the substrate described above, in a pocket or on a portion of the package for the bleaching composition to teeth. Drying said film may be carried out in a high temperature air bath using a drying oven, a tube furnace, a vacuum drier, or any other suitable drying equipment, after which the film may be sprayed on the tooth whitening agent.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the efficiency and (or) the stability of the agent for whitening of teeth can be increased by forming the water soluble film with a solvent other than water, to the bleaching agent does not come into contact with water in the formation, and that the film had no traces water after manufacture. As used herein, the term "stability" refers to the tendency of material to retain the original concentration or structure over a fixed period of time. In the framework of this application, the term "efficiency" refers to the amount of bleaching agent per unit time. In one embodiment of the method the water soluble polymer and a tooth whitening agent are mixed and then fed into a screw extruder, where, under the action of mechanical force takes place melting water hydratable polymer. Next, molten resin is extruded into a film from which the molded product to whiten teeth.

The efficacy of the bleaching agent can also be increased by reducing the amount of water soluble film forming polymer. In one embodiment, the water soluble polymer film further comprises water insoluble organic and (or) inorganic additives to reduce the amount of water soluble polymer so that the dissolution of the tooth whitening agent is maximized during use. Suitable water insoluble organic materials include polyolefins (e.g., polyethylene, polypropylene, polybutenes, polyisoprenes, and copolymers thereof) and polyester. Suitable water insoluble inorganic materials include calcium phosphate, calcium pyrophosphate, titanium dioxide and silicon dioxide. Water-insoluble additives can be at least about 10%, or at least about 20%, or at least about 30%, and (or) less than about 90%, or less than about 80%, or less than about 70%, or less than about 50%, or less than about 40%, or less than about 30% by weight of the film. In these embodiments, the amount of water-soluble polymer is at least about 5%, or at least about 10%, or at least about 20%, or at least about 30%, and (or) less than about 90%, or less than about 80%, or less than about 70% by weight of the film. Before introduction into the film-insoluble additive may be pre-crushed. In one embodiment, the average particle size of water insoluble additives 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 less about 25 microns, or less than about 10 microns. In addition to reducing the amount of water soluble polymer capable of interacting with the tooth whitening agent when hydrated may increase the concentration of the bleaching agent available on the tooth surface, since the amount of water available for the dissolution of the bleaching agent, more than hydrating or otherwise dissolving a water-soluble polymer. The tooth whitening agent can be admixed with the water-soluble polymer, as described in U.S. Patent №6.419.906, or deposited onto the film as previously described.

In yet another embodiment of the present invention to improve the hydration of the film in the tooth whitening product includes a membrane or mesh. This membrane or mesh can be formed by fibers oriented at random or in the form of geometric shapes. 2 shows a tooth whitening product 120 comprising a grid 32. The grid 32 is formed by the fibers 34 are oriented in a repeating geometric pattern. The fibers may be made of one or more water-insoluble, water-soluble or water hydratable polymers and may contain embedded a tooth whitening agent. If the fibers are formed from water insoluble materials, the mesh may play the same role as the previously described films that contain water-insoluble materials. These fibers are arranged in such a way that formed between them voids 36. Voids can facilitate hydration of the grid 32 and, consequently, the dissolution of the bleaching agent. Voids can vary in size or may have a substantially constant size throughout the grid. For example, voids may be smaller in one area and more than at the other, depending on the desired rate of hydration. Fibers 34 can have a diameter of 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 less than about 50 microns, or less than about 20 microns. The distance 38 between fibers 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 product for bleaching teeth 200, shown in Figure 3, includes a grid 32 coated with a coating or layer 44. Grid 32 can be formed from a water soluble, water insoluble, or water hydratable polymer or other material, such as other polymers (e.g., poliprolpilen, polyethylene, etc.) and cellulose. Fibers 34 grid 32 can be oriented at random or in an orderly manner. Cladding 44 comprises a water soluble polymer and a tooth whitening agent. The coating may also include other materials, such as a plasticizer, water, water insoluble additives, etc. Such a coating may connect the cavities 36 so that the grid 32 formed a substantially continuous layer. The coating may completely fill the voids, as shown in Figure 3, or partially, as shown in Figure 4, with respect to tooth whitening product 320. When the voids are filled partially formed pouch 50 can facilitate hydration of the mesh, and thus, the dissolution and release of the tooth whitening agent. Alternatively, the coating 44 can only partially joining the voids, as shown in Figure 5 for the tooth whitening product 420. In yet another embodiment, the coating 44 does not bridge the void 36 grid 32, but merely coats the fibers 34, either wholly or partly, as shown in the experiment in Figure 6 for the tooth whitening product 520.

The concentration of the tooth whitening agent within the coating and (or) fibers and amount of water soluble polymer may vary within the scope of embodiments grid depending on the extent to which the coating binds voids and (or) coats the fibers and based upon the desired rate of dissolution of the bleaching agent. Desirably, any combination of completely filled voids partially filled voids partially connected voids and to protect the coated fibers with one embodiment of the invention.

In another, related, embodiment of the apertured film may be used, with no individual cells as shown in Figure 7. In item 620, the tooth whitening single or multi-layer film may comprise a water-soluble polymer, a tooth whitening agent, a plasticizer, and optionally water. Such a film can be perforated after it is dried or cured. Void holes or apertures 630 formed in the perforations may be through or only partially penetrate deep into the thickness of the film. Voids 636 may have the same dimensions as previously described with respect to the voids of the grid. Voids 636 may form a messy or repeating pattern and vary in size and shape as previously described. Further, the present embodiment includes the coating of the bleaching agent, as described above, or other features of embodiments of the invention, as previously discussed.

In another embodiment, a tooth whitening product 720 has the form of laminated films, as shown in Figure 8. The laminated film comprises two or more layers, including a water-soluble, and (or) the hydratable polymer. The first layer 64 which is applied to the teeth, further comprises a tooth whitening agent. The polymer is at least about 1%, or at least about 10%, or at least about 20%, and (or) less than about 90%, or less than about 70%, or less than about 50% by weight of the first layer. The tooth whitening agent comprises at least about 1%, or at least about 10%, or at least about 15%, and (or) less than about 70%, or less than about 60%, or less than about 50% by weight of the first layer . The balance of the first layer can comprise water or other materials, such as the previously described water insoluble additives or a plasticizer. The second layer 66 is facing using the lips and (or) the cheeks preferably contains a whitening agent. The polymer of the second layer 66 is at least about 20%, or at least about 30%, or at least about 40%, and (or) less than about 100%, or less than about 90%, or less than about 80% by weight of the second layer. The plasticizer is at least about 0.1%, or at least about 1%, or at least about 2%, and (or) less than about 40%, or less than about 30%, or less than about 20% by weight of the second layer . The balance of the second layer 66 can comprise other materials, such as water, water insoluble additives or active ingredients for oral care, other than a bleaching agent. Examples of other active ingredients for oral care, suitable for use in the present invention include phosphates (e.g., pyrophosphates, polyphosphates, polyphosphonates and mixtures thereof), fluoride ion sources, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory agents, nutrients, and enzymes. These active ingredients for oral care are further described in U.S. Patent №6.096.328 (as well as in patents cited therein). These other active components of oral care products may also be incorporated into a film composed of a single layer and formed from a water soluble and (or) the water-insoluble polymer (e.g., polyethylene oxide) and a plasticizer, the basic synthesis is described in U.S. Patent №6.419.906.

The composition of the first layer 64 and second layer 66 product 720 can be adapted to different functionalities. For example, the first layer 64 may comprise less water soluble / hydratable polymer than the second layer 66, so that the first layer 64 hydrates more quickly, and the dissolution of the tooth whitening agent occurs more rapidly and efficiently, i.e. a large concentration is achieved in less time. The second layer can contain relatively more water soluble / hydratable polymer so that it acts as a barrier layer preventing diffusion of solute from the tooth whitening agent, but provides some hydration from the back side of the tooth whitening product. Also, since the second outer layer contains more water-soluble polymers, it continues to remain as a film longer than the first layer 64, thus the tooth whitening agent has a longer term impact on the teeth. The absence of the bleaching agent in the second layer may also increase tissue resistance as peroxide source is not directly in contact with the soft tissue of the lips or cheeks. Product 720 for tooth whitening can be performed by casting the first layer, and then a second layer over the first before or after the first layer is cured or dried. The layers can be pressed together at the rollers, between which there is a gap, through which the first and second layers. The first and second layers may comprise the same or different water-soluble polymers.

In another aspect of the present invention, the film comprising a water soluble polymer and a tooth whitening agent has a thin shape with increased concentration of the bleaching agent. The thickness of such a film is at least about 1 micron, or at least about 5 microns, or at least about 10 microns, or at least about 15 microns, 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 microns, or less than about 15 microns. The concentration of the tooth whitening agent is 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, there may be used higher concentrations of bleaching agent, whereas the resistance of the soft tissue remains acceptable and there is no need for cumbersome rubber barriers or other artificial soft tissue barriers. The expression "artificial barrier" as used herein, refers to any physical means that prevents or is intended to prevent the migration of the bleaching agent to the soft tissue adjacent the teeth during bleaching. Other artificial barriers can include light-cured resin. The expression "resistance to soft tissue" as used herein relates to the degree to which a user experiences a sensation often described as burning or stinging or experiences irritation of the soft tissue of the gums. This feeling can range from mild to severe. In addition, one or more layers, preferably not containing a bleaching agent can come into contact with the previously described layer containing the tooth whitening agent.

In another embodiment, the tooth whitening composition comprises two or more water-soluble polymer, a bleaching agent, and optional plasticizer, and (or) water. Tooth whitening composition can be applied as a layer on a substrate, used as a single film, or in other forms. In one embodiment, the first water-soluble polymer is polyvinyl alcohol and the second water-soluble polymer is selected from the group consisting of polyethylene oxide, polypropylene oxide, polyacrylic acid cross-linked, for example, Carbopol (Carbopol), linear polyacrylic acid, acrylate copolymers (e.g., Avalure AC Production Noveon Inc., Cleveland, Ohio), sodium alginate, methyl methacrylate, xanthan gum, pectin, pullulan, guar gum, agar, polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), carrageenan, cellulose (e.g., carboxymethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose and hydroxymethylcellulose), copolymers of polyethylene-polypropylene oxide (e.g., poloxamer), microcrystalline cellulose, copolymers of polyvinylpyrrolidone and polyvinyl acetate, copolymers of methyl polyvinyl esters, block copolymers of polyoxyethylene-polyoxypropylene, polyurethane (e.g., Avalure UR production Noveon Inc., Cleveland, Ohio), acrylic and methacrylate copolymers acid (e.g., Pemulen production Noveon Inc., Cleveland, Ohio), and mixtures thereof. It is believed that the combination of polyvinyl alcohol with a second water-soluble polymer attached bleaching composition good initial adhesion properties when applied to the teeth in combination with long retention time on the teeth due to the polymer of polyvinyl alcohol, which in particular may be suitable for prolonged use, e.g., for night.

Described tooth whitening composition includes a polymer of polyethylene oxide and polyvinyl alcohol. It may also include a third water soluble polymer. A preferred third water soluble polymer is polyacrylic acid cross-linked, for example Carbopol. Polyethylene oxide may have an average molecular weight greater than about 100,000, or about 200,000, or about 300,000, or about 600,000 and or less than about 10,000,000, or about 4,000,000, or, preferably, 1,500,000, or about 900,000. Tooth whitening composition may comprise greater than about 10%, or about 20% or about 30% or about 40%, and (or) less than about 90%, or about 60% or about 50% by weight of polyethylene oxide. Tooth whitening composition may comprise mixtures of polyethylene oxides having different average molecular weights. The whitening composition may comprise greater than about 0.5%, or about 2% or about 5%, and (or) less than about 90%, or about 50% or about 20% or about 15% or about 10% by weight polyvinyl alcohol. The ratio of the polyethylene oxide polymer to the polyvinyl alcohol may be between about 10:90 and about 90: 0.5, or between about 50: 2 to about 30:20. The polyvinyl alcohol may have varying degrees of hydrolysis. It characterizes the degree of hydrolysis degree of conversion of polyvinyl acetate to polyvinyl alcohol. A mixture of polyethylene oxide and polyvinyl alcohol will be more adhesive and less viscous with increasing degree of hydrolysis of the polyvinyl alcohol. Consequently, for the same amount of polyethyleneoxide require minimal amount of polyvinyl alcohol, by increasing the degree of hydrolysis of the polyvinyl alcohol to provide the same level of adhesiveness. Polyvinyl alcohol may be sverhgidrolizovannym completely hydrolyzed, or partially hydrolyzed srednegidrolizovanym. Typically, the range of hydrolysis, from partially hydrolyzed to sverhgidrolizovannogo is from about 70% (partially hydrolyzed) and about 99.5% (sverhgidrolizovanny). In one embodiment, the range of hydrolysis is greater than about 70%, or about 80% or about 87%, and (or) less than about 99%, or about 95% or about 91%. As used herein, the term "hydrolysis" refers to the degree of hydrolysis of the raw material before preparing the tooth whitening composition. In another embodiment, the range of hydrolysis is between about 87% and about 91%, and the amount of polyvinyl alcohol - between about 5% and about 50% by weight of the bleaching composition. Tooth whitening composition may also optionally contain a plasticizer. In one embodiment, the whitening composition may comprise greater than about 1%, or about 10% or about 20%, and (or) less than about 80%, or about 60% or about 80% by weight of a plasticizer. Preferably, the plasticizer is polyethylene glycol. A more preferred plasticizer is polyethylene glycol having a molecular weight between about 200 and about 9000. The tooth whitening composition may also further comprise water in an amount indicated above. The whitening composition may include hydrogen peroxide in an amount greater than about 0.5%, or about 3%, or about 6%, and (or) less than about 40%, or about 20% or about 10% by weight of the composition . Mentioned earlier embodiments of the tooth whitening composition comprising two water soluble polymers may also incorporate aspects of all other embodiments of the composition described herein, for example, the cell or the coarse grid, water-insoluble organic or inorganic additives, perforations, etc.

The following are non-limiting examples of the above embodiments comprising a mixture of polyethylene oxide and polyvinyl alcohol. Desirably, such compositions may include additional ingredients or other ingredients enumerated be replaced. Each of the examples describes a tooth whitening composition formulation before and after processing to reduce the water content.

EXAMPLE 1

Polyethylene oxide WSR-1105 (MM 900000) Polyvinyl alcohol Gohsenol GL-05S (86,5% - 89%) of PEG 600VodaPeroksid vodorodamas.% To obrabotki626,582,53mas.% After obrabotki3010351015

EXAMPLE 2

Polyethylene oxide WSR-205 (MM 600000) Polyvinyl alcohol Gohsenol NH-26 (99.4%) of PEG 600VodaPeroksid vodorodamas.% To obrabotki7,50,55852mas.% After obrabotki402,52522,510

EXAMPLE 3

Polyethylene oxide WSR-1105 (MM 900000) Polyvinyl alcohol Gohsenol KH-17 (78,5- 81,5%) PEG 600VodaPeroksid vodorodamas.% To obrabotki456841mas.% 202530196posle processing

EXAMPLE 4

Polyethylene oxide WSR-N750 (MM 300000) Polyvinyl alcohol Gohsenol GL-05S (86,5% - 89%) of PEG 600VodaPeroksid vodorodamas.% To obrabotki6,53681,53mas.% After obrabotki341530615

Embodiments of mixtures of polyethylene oxide / polyvinyl alcohol according to the present invention, including examples 1 to 4 can be realized by preparing a first mixture comprising polyethylene oxide and a solvent such as water and a second mixture comprising polyvinyl alcohol and a solvent, e.g., water. It is understood that also allowed to use a mixture of solvents. The two mixtures are mixed separately until until and polyethylene oxide, and polyvinyl alcohol is not fully hydrated. The first and second mixtures are combined and added to the tooth whitening agent (e.g., hydrogen peroxide) and optionally a plasticizer (e.g., PEG 600). This tooth whitening composition may be cast on a substrate or a suitable drying surface. Then the bleaching composition is dried until removed until the amount of solvent required. Tooth whitening composition can be dried by freeze-drying or by means of a tube dryer, comprising a heat source or a convection heater. In one embodiment, the tooth whitening composition can be dried in a drying oven at room temperature using a mixture of nitrogen and air at a flow rate of between about 0.085 m3 / min to about 0.3 m3 / min. The drying time can vary between about 15 minutes and about 2 hours, or between about 20 minutes and about 60 minutes.

Now it will be considered another embodiment of the invention relates to tooth whitening compositions comprising a polyacrylic acid cross-linked, e.g. carboxymethylene polymer sold under the tradename Carbopol, and a polyvinyl alcohol polymer. Tooth whitening composition may comprise greater than about 0.1%, ca. ERNO 0.5%, about 1%, about 2%, about 5%, and (or) less than about 10%, about 15%, about 20%, about 25 %, about 30%, about 40%, about 50% by weight of polyacrylic acid crosslinked. Before processing the whitening composition may comprise greater than about 0.01%, about 0.02%, about 0.05%, about 0.1%, about 1%, about 1.5%, about 2%, about 5%, and (or) less than about 10%, about 15%, about 20% by weight of polyacrylic acid crosslinked. Suitable polyacrylic acid crosslinked include Carbopol 956, Carbopol 940, Carbopol 910 and Carbopol 970. tooth whitening composition may comprise greater than about 0.5%, or about 2% or about 5%, and (or) less than about 90%, or about 50% or about 20% or about 15% or about 10% by weight of polyvinyl alcohol. The ratio of polyvinyl alcohol and polyacrylic acid crosslinked may be between about 0.5: 50 and about 90: 0.01 or between about 1: 1 and about 10: 1, or between about 1: 6 to about 2: 1. The polyvinyl alcohol may have varying degrees of hydrolysis and may optionally include a plasticizer as described previously. Also, tooth whitening composition can comprise water. Tooth whitening composition may include hydrogen peroxide in an amount greater than about 0.5%, or about 3%, or about 6%, and (or) less than about 40%, or about 20% or about 10% by weight of composition.

The following are non-limiting examples of the invention, the tooth whitening composition comprising a cross-linked polyacrylic acid and polyvinyl alcohol. It is understood that these compositions may include additional ingredients or other ingredients may be substituted listed. Each example sets forth the tooth whitening composition formulation before and after processing to reduce the water content.

EXAMPLE 1

Carbopol 956Polivinilovy alcohol GH-23 (86.5% -89%) PEG 600VodaPeroksid vodorodaMac.% To obrabotki5% 10% 3% 2.5% 79.5% w.% After obrabotki20% 40% 12% 18% 10%

EXAMPLE 2

Carbopol 956Polivinilovy alcohol GH-23 (86.5% -89%) PEG 600VodaPeroksid vodorodaMas.% To obrabotki1,5% 15% 3,5% 78,5% 1,5% Mac.% After obrabotki6% 60% 13% 15 % 6%

EXAMPLE 3

Carbopol 956Polivinilovy alcohol GH-17 (78.5% -81.5%) PEG 600VodaPeroksid vodorodaMas.% To obrabotki10% 10% 5% 84% 2% Mac.% After obrabotki32% 32% 15% 15% 6%

EXAMPLE 4

Carbopol 956Polivinilovy alcohol GH-23 (86.5% -89%) PEG600VodaPeroksid vodorodaMas.% To obrabotki2,5% 12% 3.5% 81.5% 3% Mac.% After obrabotki8% 37% 15% 30% 10%

In another embodiment the tooth whitening composition according to the invention comprises polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) and a second polymer comprising one or more of polyethylene oxide, polypropylene oxide, acrylic acid crosslinked, e.g., Carbopol, linear polyacrylic acid, polyvinyl alcohol, sodium alginate , methyl methacrylate, xanthan gum, pectin, pullulan, gaurovaya gum, agar, carrageenan, cellulose (e.g., hydroxypropylcellulose, hydroxyethylcellulose, hydroxypropylmethylcellulose, and hydroxymethylcellulose), copolymers of polyethylene oxide-polypropylene oxide (e.g., poloxamer), microcrystalline cellulose, copolymers of polyvinyl acetate and polyvinyl pyrrolidone, copolymers of polyvinyl methyl ether, block copolymers of polyoxyethylene-polyoxypropylene and mixtures thereof. The concentration of the first polymer may be less than about 50%, less than about 40%, less than about 30%, less than about 25%, less than about 20%, less than about 15%, or less than about 10% by weight of the total weight of the tooth whitening composition while the concentration of the second polymer may exceed the concentration of the first polymer and may between about 0% and about 90% by weight of the tooth whitening composition. In another embodiment, the concentration of the second polymer is greater than about 50% or about 60% or about 70% or about 80% by weight of the tooth whitening composition. This tooth whitening composition may further include glycols such as propylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, methoxypolyethylene glycol, multinuclear alcohols such as glycerol, sorbitol and xylitol, and glycerol esters such as glycerol triacetate. As used glycerol, and propylene glycol or polyethylene glycol, such as those available from Union Carbide Corporation Carbowax series, has a molecular weight ranging from 200 to 600 daltons. Other plasticizers include cellulose esters, sebacate, castor oil, tricresyl phosphate, phthalate, adipate, ethyl citrate, ethanolamine, and oligosaccharides. The concentration of water and (or) a plasticizer may be greater than about 40%, or more than about 45%, or more than about 50%, or more than about 55% and less than about 80%, or less than about 70%, or less than about 60% by weight of the whitening composition to the teeth.

All of the above embodiments of the present invention may be further combined with other layers such as a thin protective coating layer thickness of from 10 nanometers to 500 microns, or a substrate formed by material strips. The support may be insoluble, soluble or degradable, such as for example described in published US application №2003 / 0228264. The coating materials may be applied in the form of a sufficiently thin layer so as not to affect the flexibility of the film and to allow the whitening strip meet a number of teeth. Some coating materials can be by themselves or in combination with high, for example with a molecular weight of more than 1,000,000 Daltons, and include ethyl cellulose, propyl, izopropiltsellyulozu, butiltsellyulozu, t-butiltsellyulozu, cellulose acetate, and derivatives of polyvinyl alcohol such as shellac and polyvinyl acetate.

Products for whitening teeth in accordance with the present invention may be packaged in pouches as individual strips or a roll of film are disposed according to a dispenser, wherein the individual strips may be cut off of roll for use in the oral cavity or the film can be perforated or otherwise fracturable fragments for separating the required length of the strip of roll. Optionally, the tooth whitening products of the present invention may further include a release liner. This coating film can be made from any material that exhibits less affinity for the film and (or) the grid than the film itself, and (or) mesh. The release liner may be formed from polymer films, paper, foils, woven, nonwoven and other suitable materials known in the art. Optionally, the coating film may include such a coating as wax, silicone, Teflon®, fluoropolymers, etc. Films in accordance with the present invention can be obtained directly on a release liner. The release liner may be cut into pieces of the desired size either before or after the application thereto of said film. Tooth whitening products of the present invention may also be used as coating for dental trays, such as described in U.S. Patent №5.098.303, wherein the strip introduced into the recess of the dental tray.

To use the tooth whitening products of the present invention, the film deposited on the surface of the teeth when moistened with saliva in the oral cavity or pre-wetted by dipping the strip in water, is adhered to the teeth properly. In this regard, the tooth whitening product is formed so that its width covers the row of teeth (upper or lower). Therefore, the tooth whitening product may be applied to the upper or lower set of teeth either simultaneously or alternately. Length of tooth whitening products is determined by the desired coating. In this regard, the number of teeth which it is desired to whiten will determine the dimensions of the product. For example, it may be desired to only whiten the front teeth, which are much more noticeable others. Accordingly, the length of whitening products in this case can be reduced compared with the bleaching of the teeth. The duration applying a product to the teeth will depend on the type and concentration of the tooth whitening agent, as well as the type and intensity of the external or internal contamination.

The embodiments described herein were chosen and described to best illustrate the principles of the invention and their practical application is accessible to any person skilled in the art in various embodiments and modifications which are suitable for a particular use. All such modifications and variations are within the scope of the present invention as defined by the claims that follow, when it is interpreted in accordance with breadth to which it properly, legally and equitably entitled.