초록 ▼

The present invention is directed to a dental bracket and associated kit used to attach a medicament-releasing pellet on a tooth. The kit is designed to provide slow release of fluoride or other medicament over a desired period of time. The medicament release kit includes a medicament-releasing pel

The present invention is directed to a dental bracket and associated kit used to attach a medicament-releasing pellet on a tooth. The kit is designed to provide slow release of fluoride or other medicament over a desired period of time. The medicament release kit includes a medicament-releasing pellet and a dental bracket. The bracket comprises a base and a socket configured to receive and retain the pellet at least partially therein. The device may be installed by a dental practitioner and remain attached to a patient's tooth for a few months or up to 20 years. The medicament-releasing pellet, designed to slowly release small quantities of fluoride or another medicament, may be replaced, for example, every 6 months to 2 years. Replacement of the medicament-releasing pellet may be performed at home or at a dentist's office.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A dental bracket designed to receive therein a fluoride or other medicament-releasing pellet, comprising: a base configured for attachment to a tooth surface; and a socket including an outer rim and an interior portion, the outer rim having a diameter or width that is less th

What is claimed is: 1. A dental bracket designed to receive therein a fluoride or other medicament-releasing pellet, comprising: a base configured for attachment to a tooth surface; and a socket including an outer rim and an interior portion, the outer rim having a diameter or width that is less than a maximum diameter or width of the interior portion such that the outer rim overhangs part of the interior portion, the outer rim, because it overhangs part of the interior portion of the socket, also partially overlapping and thereby securely mechanically retaining a pellet when inserted within the interior portion of the socket. 2. A dental bracket as recited in claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the base is perforated. 3. A dental bracket as recited in claim 1, wherein the base and socket are formed as a single piece. 4. A dental bracket as recited in claim 1, further comprising at least one auxiliary hole for aiding a dental practitioner in removing a medicament-releasing pellet from the socket. 5. A dental bracket as recited in claim 1, wherein the base is flexible so as to be conformable to the contour of a patient's tooth. 6. A dental bracket as recited in claim 1, wherein the bracket is formed of a plastic material. 7. A dental bracket as recited in claim 6, wherein the plastic material comprises a urethane. 8. A dental bracket as recited in claim 1, wherein the base is formed of a metal comprising at least one of stainless steel and nickel-titanium. 9. A dental bracket as recited in claim 8, wherein the base is formed by stamping, cold forming, electrochemical etching, or combinations thereof. 10. A dental bracket as recited in claim 1, further comprising an adhesive applied to the base. 11. A dental bracket as recited in claim 1, wherein the socket is substantially circular or partially spherical. 12. A dental bracket as recited in claim 1, wherein the socket is substantially elliptical or ellipsoidal. 13. A medicament release kit comprising: a dental bracket as recited in claim 1; and a medicament-releasing pellet that is sized and configured so as to be securely retained within the socket of the dental bracket. 14. A medicament release kit as recited in claim 13, wherein the medicament-releasing pellet is formulated so as to release fluoride when continuously exposed to saliva. 15. A medicament release kit as recited in claim 13, wherein the medicament-releasing pellet is formulated so as to release at least one medicament selected from the group comprising antimicrobial agents, anti-tartar agents, anti-plaque agents, anesthetics, desensitizing agents, tooth whitening agents, vitamins, minerals, nutrients, and mouth freshening agents. 16. A medicament release kit as recited in claim 13, wherein the medicament-releasing pellet is substantially spherical or circular. 17. A medicament release kit as recited in claim 13, wherein the medicament-releasing pellet is elliptical, ellipsoidal, bar-shaped or loaf-shaped. 18. A method of installing a medicament-releasing pellet within a patient's mouth, comprising: (a) providing a medicament release kit comprising: a dental bracket designed to receive therein a medicament-releasing pellet comprising: a base configured for attachment to a tooth surface, the base including a bonding surface; and a socket that is sized and configured to receive therein a correspondingly-sized and shaped pellet; and a medicament-releasing pellet (b) bonding the bonding surface of the base of the dental bracket to the patient's tooth using a curable adhesive resin that is cured by at least one of chemical curing, light curing or air curing; (c) applying an adhesive to at least one of the socket or medicament-releasing pellet; and (d) inserting the medicament-releasing pellet at least partially within the socket of the dental bracket in order for the adhesive resin to bond the medicament-releasing pellet within the socket. 19. A method as recited in claim 18, wherein (d) is performed prior to (b). 20. A method as recited in claim 18, wherein (b) is performed prior to (d). 21. A method as recited in claim 18, wherein the adhesive used to bond the medicament-releasing pellet within the socket comprises a silicone resin. 22. A dental bracket as recited in claim 1, the socket being positioned on the base so as to extend labially relative to a tooth to which the base is attached during use in order to permit insertion of a pellet into the socket after attachment of the base to a tooth.