US4877401A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method of preventing tooth decay by laser beam irradiation and chemical treatment
Assignee: University of Utah Research Foundation Inc
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Filing: 1988-03-09
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Granted: 1989-10-31
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Expires: 2008-03-09
Abstract
Abstract A method for preventing tooth decay comprising: (1) laser irradiation of the tooth's surface with a carbon dioxide laser (wavelength=10.6 microns) at 20 to 50 watts for 1 to 400 seconds, and (2) subsequent chemical treatment of the tooth with a chemical agent such as ethane-1-hydroxy-1, 1-diphosphonic acid at concentrations greater than about 0.00001 molar. The resulting tooth has a reduced dissolution rate in acid and increased resistivity to cavities.
Inventors
- 👤 William I. Higuchi
- 👤 Jeffrey I. Fox
- 👤 G. Lynn Powell
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 02:59
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61K; A61K8/00; A61K8/18; A61K8/30; A61K8/55; A61Q; A61Q11/00; A61K2800/00; A61K2800/80; A61K2800/81; A61N; A61N5/00; A61N5/06; A61N5/0601; A61N5/0603; A61N2005/0606
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
73 words
A method of treating a tooth comprising: irradiated said tooth with a laser beam at a power ranging from about 20 watts to about 50 watts for a period of time ranging from about 1 second to about 400 seconds; and thereafter applying ethane-1-hydroxy-1, 1 diphosphonic acid as a dissolution rate-inhibiting agent to said tooth, said dissolution rate inhibiting agent being in a sufficient concentration to decrease the dissolution rate of that tooth.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
73 words
A method of treating a tooth comprising: irradiated said tooth with a laser beam at a power ranging from about 20 watts to about 50 watts for a period of time ranging from about 1 second to about 400 seconds; and thereafter applying ethane-1-hydroxy-1, 1 diphosphonic acid as a dissolution rate-inhibiting agent to said tooth, said dissolution rate inhibiting agent being in a sufficient concentration to decrease the dissolution rate of that tooth.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein said laser beam has been generated by a carbon dioxide laser.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method according to claim 2 wherein said dissolution rate-inhibiting agent is present in a saliva solution at a concentration of at least about 0.00001 molar.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method according to claim 3 wherein said ethane-1-hydroxy-1,1-diphosphonic acid is applied to said tooth in a pharmaceutical delivery system containing a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of ethane-1-hydroxy-1,1-diphosphonic acid.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method according to claim 4 wherein said pharmaceutical delivery system includes a fluorine compound.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method acording to claim 4 wherein said pharmaceutical delivery system is a mouthwash.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method according to claim 4 wherein said pharmaceutical delivery system is a chewing gum.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method according to claim 4 wherein said pharmaceutical delivery system is a toothpaste.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1992-10-30 | 1993-05-01 | 1993-10-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-10-30 | 1997-05-01 | 1997-10-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-10-30 | 2001-05-01 | 2001-10-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |