초록 ▼

A dental appliance, such as of the orthodontic type, to be placed in the mouth and having an inorganic antimicrobial agent on a surface, the agent preferably being a zeolite. The dental appliance may comprise metal or a polymer and the agent may be present in a coating that is applied to the surface

A dental appliance, such as of the orthodontic type, to be placed in the mouth and having an inorganic antimicrobial agent on a surface, the agent preferably being a zeolite. The dental appliance may comprise metal or a polymer and the agent may be present in a coating that is applied to the surfaces of the appliance that are to be contacted by liquids or solids in the mouth. The appliance can be of a polymer resin or an elastomer incorporating the agent. A preferred antimicrobial agent is ceramic particles (e.g., zeolite particles) containing antimicrobial metal ions, e.g., silver ions, as the active agent.

대표청구항 ▼

[ We claim:] [1.]1. A dental appliance comprising a polymeric material incorporating ceramic particles with one or more antibiotic metal cations ion-exchanged thereon, wherein some or all of the ceramic particles are exposed to a surface of the polymeric material, such that upon placement into the m

[ We claim:] [1.]1. A dental appliance comprising a polymeric material incorporating ceramic particles with one or more antibiotic metal cations ion-exchanged thereon, wherein some or all of the ceramic particles are exposed to a surface of the polymeric material, such that upon placement into the mouth of a subject, water and cations can enter the exposed ceramic particles and effect an ion-exchange reaction to release an antimicrobially effective amount of antibiotic metal cations from the dental appliance.