Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
155 words
A method for bleaching a patient's teeth comprising: (a) obtaining a dental tray configured to cover a patient's teeth surfaces to be bleached and configured to hold a quantity of dental bleaching composition; (b) placing a quantity of dental bleaching composition within the dental tray, said dental bleaching composition comprising: a quantity of dental bleaching agent capable of bleaching vital tooth surfaces in contact with said dental bleaching agent; and a matrix material into which the dental bleaching agent is dispersed, said matrix material including carboxypolymethylene in the range from about 3.5% to about 12% by weight of the dental bleaching composition; (c) positioning the dental tray over the patient's teeth surfaces such that a portion of the dental bleaching composition is in contact with the patient's teeth surfaces to be bleached; (d) allowing the dental tray to remain positioned over the patient's teeth surfaces; and (e) removing the dental tray from the patient's teeth.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
155 words
A method for bleaching a patient's teeth comprising: (a) obtaining a dental tray configured to cover a patient's teeth surfaces to be bleached and configured to hold a quantity of dental bleaching composition; (b) placing a quantity of dental bleaching composition within the dental tray, said dental bleaching composition comprising: a quantity of dental bleaching agent capable of bleaching vital tooth surfaces in contact with said dental bleaching agent; and a matrix material into which the dental bleaching agent is dispersed, said matrix material including carboxypolymethylene in the range from about 3.5% to about 12% by weight of the dental bleaching composition; (c) positioning the dental tray over the patient's teeth surfaces such that a portion of the dental bleaching composition is in contact with the patient's teeth surfaces to be bleached; (d) allowing the dental tray to remain positioned over the patient's teeth surfaces; and (e) removing the dental tray from the patient's teeth.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
67 words
A method for bleaching a patient's teeth as defined in claim 1, wherein the step of obtaining a dental tray further comprises obtaining a dental tray constructed with reservoirs for holding additional dental bleaching composition such that when the dental tray is positioned over the patient's teeth surfaces, the additional dental bleaching composition within the reservoirs is in contact with the patient's teeth surfaces to be bleached.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method for bleaching a patient's teeth as defined in claim 1, further comprising the step of repeating steps (b) through (e).
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
46 words
A method for bleaching a patient's teeth as defined in claim 1, wherein the quantity of dental bleaching composition placed within the dental tray includes a matrix material comprising carboxypolymethylene in the range from about 4.5% to about 10% by weight of the dental bleaching composition.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
46 words
A method for bleaching a patient's teeth as defined in claim 1, wherein the quantity of dental bleaching composition placed within the dental tray includes a matrix material comprising carboxypolymethylene in the range from about 6% to about 8% by weight of the dental bleaching composition.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
53 words
A method for bleaching a patient's teeth as defined in claim 1, wherein the quantity of dental bleaching composition placed within the dental tray includes a matrix material comprising carboxypolymethylene in the range from about 15% to about 35% by weight of the total quantity of water in the total dental bleaching composition.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
53 words
A method for bleaching a patient's teeth as defined in claim 1, wherein the quantity of dental bleaching composition placed within the dental tray includes a matrix material comprising carboxypolymethylene in the range from about 20% to about 30% by weight of the total quantity of water in the total dental bleaching composition.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
49 words
A method for bleaching a patient's teeth as defined in claim 1, wherein the quantity of dental bleaching composition placed within the dental tray includes a carbamide peroxide as the dental bleaching agent in the range from about 3% to about 20% by weight of the dental bleaching composition.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
49 words
A method for bleaching a patient's teeth as defined in claim 1, wherein the quantity of dental bleaching composition placed within the dental tray includes a carbamide peroxide as the dental bleaching agent in the range from about 4% to about 15% by weight of the dental bleaching composition.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
51 words
A method for bleaching a patient's teeth as defined in claim 1, wherein the dental tray remains positioned over a patient's teeth for a period of time greater than about 3 hours and wherein the dental bleaching composition remains active while the dental tray is positioned over the patient's teeth surfaces.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
51 words
A method for bleaching a patient's teeth as defined in claim 1, wherein the dental tray remains positioned over a patient's teeth for a period of time greater than about 5 hours and wherein the dental bleaching composition remains active while the dental tray is positioned over the patient's teeth surfaces.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
51 words
A method for bleaching a patient's teeth as defined in claim 1, wherein the dental tray remains positioned over a patient's teeth for a period of time greater than about 8 hours and wherein the dental bleaching composition remains active while the dental tray is positioned over the patient's teeth surfaces.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
38 words
A method for bleaching a patient's teeth as defined in claim 1, wherein the quantity of dental bleaching composition placed within the dental tray is sufficiently tacky to retain the dental tray positioned against the patient's teeth surfaces.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method for bleaching a patient's teeth as defined in claim 1, wherein the quantity of dental bleaching composition placed within the dental tray becomes firmer upon contact with saliva.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
40 words
A method for bleaching a patient's teeth as defined in claim 1, wherein during the positioning step, a portion of the dental bleaching composition extends to the edge of the dental tray and forms a seal upon contact with saliva.