초록 ▼

A system for the strategic controlled delivery of materials to the dental surfaces of the intraoral cavity is disclosed. These materials have a desired or predetermined activity with respects to such dental surfaces. In particular, the system enables delivery of fluoridizing and other agents to inte

A system for the strategic controlled delivery of materials to the dental surfaces of the intraoral cavity is disclosed. These materials have a desired or predetermined activity with respects to such dental surfaces. In particular, the system enables delivery of fluoridizing and other agents to interproximal sites among others, specially to contact points/areas (aproximal sites), to enable the prevention, treatment, diagnosis, elimination or retardation of dental caries.

대표청구항 ▼

The invention claimed is: 1. A system for the controlled delivery of at least one material having a predetermined intraoral activity to an interproximal site of at least one dental surface in an oral cavity, comprising a polymeric matrix containing said material, said system being sufficiently flex

The invention claimed is: 1. A system for the controlled delivery of at least one material having a predetermined intraoral activity to an interproximal site of at least one dental surface in an oral cavity, comprising a polymeric matrix containing said material, said system being sufficiently flexible for insertion at said interproximal site to be physically affixed thereat and sufficiently tough to maintain mechanical integrity at said site, wherein said interproximal site comprises an area of contact and surrounding surfaces between said dental surface and an adjacent dental surface. 2. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said matrix comprises a hydrophilic polymer that enables the matrix to be fixed by swelling in situ by the hydration thereof in the oral cavity after accommodation at said interproximal site. 3. A system as claimed in claim 2, wherein said polymeric matrix has a three dimensional form having an external surface, wherein at least a portion of said external surface is adapted for contact with at least said interproximal site of said dental surface to deliver said material to said site. 4. A system as claimed in claim 3, wherein said matrix is in the form of a disc having at least one external substantially flat surface for contact with at least said interproximal site of said dental surface to deliver said material to said site. 5. A system as claimed in claim 4, wherein said matrix is in the form of a disc having at least one external substantially concave surface for contact with at least said interproximal site of said dental surface to deliver said material to said site. 6. A system as claimed in claim 3, wherein said matrix is in the form of a pellet having at least one external substantially oval surface for contact with at least said interproximal site of said dental surface such as to deliver said material to said site. 7. A system as claimed in claim 3, wherein said matrix is in the form of a toroidal ring having at least one external substantially annular surface for contact with at least said interproximal site of said dental surface such as to deliver said material to said site. 8. A system as claimed in claim 3, wherein said matrix is in the form of a wedge having at least one external longitudinal surface for contact with at least said interproximal site of said dental surface such as to deliver said material to said site. 9. A system as claimed in claim 3, wherein said matrix is in the form of a wedge having at least one winged member at least at one longitudinal end thereof, said wedge having at least one external longitudinal surface for contact with at least said interproximal site of said dental surface such as to deliver said material to said site, and said winged member having suitable contact surfaces for delivering a portion of said material to a portion of said dental surface and an adjacent dental surface mesial and distal to said interproximal site. 10. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said matrix has a three dimensional form having a first external surface and a second external surface, wherein at least a portion of said first external surface is adapted for contact with at least said interproximal site of said dental surface and wherein at least a portion of said second external surface is adapted for contact with at least said interproximal site of said adjacent dental surface to deliver said material to said site. 11. A system as claimed in claim 10, wherein said matrix is in the form of a disc having opposed first and second external substantially flat surfaces for contact with at least said interproximal site of said dental surface and said adjacent dental surface, respectively, to deliver said material to said site. 12. A system as claimed in claim 10, wherein said matrix is in the form of a disc having opposed first and second external substantially concave surfaces for contact with at least said interproximal site of said dental surface and said adjacent dental surface, respectively, to deliver said material to said site. 13. A system as claimed in claim 10, wherein said matrix is in the form of a pellet having opposed first and second external substantially oval surfaces for contact with at least said interproximal site of said dental surface and said adjacent dental surface, respectively, such as to deliver said material to said site. 14. A system as claimed in claim 10, wherein said matrix is in the form of a toroidal ring having opposed first and second external substantially annular surfaces for contact with at least said interproximal site of said dental surface and said adjacent dental surface, respectively, such as to deliver said material to said site. 15. A system as claimed in claim 10, wherein said matrix is in the form of a wedge having first and second external substantially longitudinal surfaces for contact with at least said interproximal site of said dental surface and said adjacent dental surface, respectively, such as to deliver said material to said site. 16. A system as claimed in claim 10, wherein said matrix is in the form of a wedge having at least one pair of winged members at least at one longitudinal end thereof, said wedge having first and second external substantially longitudinal surfaces for contact with at least said interproximal site of said dental surface and said adjacent dental surface, respectively, such as to deliver said material to said site, and said winged members having suitable contact surfaces for delivering a portion of said material to a portion of said dental surface and to a portion of said adjacent surface mesial and distal to said interproximal site. 17. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said system further comprises a suitable support member for fixing said matrix to said site, said support member comprising a peripheral frame portion surrounding a net portion, said frame portion being made from a resilient material capable of enabling the support member to be accommodated at said interproximal site such as to align said net portion therewith, and wherein said net portion is adapted for accommodating said matrix and for enabling said material to be delivered therefrom to said site. 18. A system as claimed in claim 17, wherein said frame member is in the form of a ring, wherein said member is attached to the inner concave surface of said ring. 19. A system as claimed in claim 18, wherein said frame member further comprises at least one niche for facilitating gripping of the said frame member to enable affixing thereof at the interproximal site. 20. A system as claimed in claim 18, wherein said frame member further comprises at least one loop for facilitating gripping of the said frame member to enable affixing thereof at the interproximal site. 21. A system according to claim 17, wherein said support member is selected from the group consisting of natural rubber latex (cis 1,4-polyisoprene), PVC (polyvinyl chloride), Nitrile (acrylonitrile and butadiene), Neoprene (chloroprene), plastic (polyethylene) and Tactylon (styrene-based copolymers). 22. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said matrix is substantially biodegradable. 23. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said matrix is substantially resorbable. 24. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said matrix is substantially non-resorbable. 25. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said matrix is in the form of a ribbon. 26. A system as claimed in claim 25, wherein said ribbon may be joined in the form of a loop such as to circumscribe the periphery of a tooth comprising said dental surface and said site. 27. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said matrix is in the form of a cord. 28. A system as claimed in claim 27, wherein said cord may be joined in the form of a loop such as to circumscribe the periphery of a tooth comprising said dental surface and said site. 29. A system as claimed in claim 28, wherein said cord is made from catgut. 30. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said matrix is in the form of a cervical corset. 31. A system as claimed in claim 30, wherein said corset may be fixed with respect to said dental surface and said site by means of one or more restraining straps adapted for securing said corset to a tooth comprising said dental surface. 32. A system as claimed in claim 31, wherein said straps circumscribe at least a portion of said tooth. 33. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said matrix is in the form of an orthodontic interproximal "I" device. 34. A system as claimed in claim 33, wherein said "I" device may be fixed with respect to said dental surface and said site by means of an orthodontic arch wire previously secured in the intraoral cavity for securing said "I" device to a tooth comprising said dental surface. 35. A system for the controlled delivery of a material having a predetermined intra oral activity to an occlusal site of at least one dental surface in an oral cavity, comprising a matrix containing said material; said system being sufficiently flexible for insertion at said interproximal site to be physically affixed thereat and sufficiently tough to maintain mechanical integrity at said occlusal site and adapted for affixing at said occlusal site for at least a predetermined time period correlated to the delivery of a predetermined portion of said material to said site. 36. A system as claimed in claim 35, wherein said matrix is in the form of an occlusal corset. 37. A system as claimed in claim 36, wherein said corset may be affixed with respect to said dental surface and said site by means of one or more restraining straps adapted for securing said corset to a tooth comprising said dental surface. 38. A system as claimed in claim 37, wherein said straps circumscribe at least a portion of said tooth. 39. A system as claimed in claim 38, wherein at least one said strap circumscribes at least a portion of an adjacent tooth. 40. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said active material is any one of inorganic or organic fluoride-containing chemical agent. 41. A system as claimed in claim 40, wherein said of material is selected from the group consisting of sodium fluoride, stannous fluoride, stannous hexafluorozirconate, calcium fluoride, difluorosilane, hydrogen fluoride, sodium monofluorophosphate, ytterbium trifluoride, sodium hexafluorosilicate, ammonium fluoride, an amine fluoride, fluoroaluminosilicate glass and any mixture thereof. 42. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said matrix comprises a synthetic polymer or a natural polymer selected from the group consisting of polysacaccharides, lipids, polyisoprene, gum and proteins, or any mixture thereof. 43. A system as claimed in claim 42, wherein said natural polymer is a protein selected from the group consisting of collagen and gelatin. 44. A system as claimed in claim 41, wherein said matrix comprises a synthetic polymer or a natural polymer selected from the group consisting of polysacaccharides, lipids, polyisoprene, gum and proteins, or any mixture thereof. 45. A system as claimed in claim 44, wherein said natural polymer is a protein selected from the group consisting of collagen and gelatin. 46. A system as claimed in claim 44 wherein said polymer is cross-linked. 47. A system as claimed in claim 46, wherein said polymer is cross-linked by at least one compound selected from the group consisting of glutaraldehyde, formaldehyde, glycol dimethacrylate, tannic acid and allyl methacrylate. 48. A system as claimed in claim 42, wherein said matrix further comprises an auxiliary agent selected from the group consisting of an enhancing agent for enhancing the release of the active material, platiciser, elasticiser, coloring agents, staining agent, fillers and softeners, and preserving and sterilising agents. 49. A system as claimed in claim 48, wherein said plasticiser is sorbitol. 50. A support member for fixing a polymeric matrix comprising a first material having a predetermined intraoral activity to an interproximal site of at least one dental surface in an intraoral cavity, said support member comprising a peripheral frame portion surrounding a net portion, said frame portion being made from a resilient second material capable of enabling the support member to be accommodated at said interproximal site such as to align said net portion therewith, wherein said net portion is adapted for accommodating said matrix and for enabling said first material to be delivered therefrom to said site, and wherein said support member is adapted for physical fixation at said interproximal site for at least a predetermined time period correlated to the delivery of a predetermined portion of said first material to said site. 51. A support member as claimed in claim 50, wherein said frame member is in the form of a ring, wherein said member is attached to the inner concave surface of said ring. 52. A support member as claimed in claim 50, wherein said frame member further comprises at least one niche for facilitating gripping of the said frame member to enabling affixing thereof at the interproximal site. 53. A support member as claimed in claim 50, wherein said frame member further comprises at least one loop for facilitating gripping of the said frame member to enabling affixing thereof at the interproximal site. 54. A support member according to claim 50, wherein said support member is made from a material selected from the group consisting of natural rubber latex (cis 1,4 polyisoprene), PVC (polyvinyl-chloride), Nitrile (acrylonitrile and butadiene), Neoprene (chloroprene), plastic (polyethylene) and Tactylon (styrene-based copolymers). 55. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said system is so constructed to be physically affixed at said interproximal site for at least a predetermined time period correlated to the delivery of a predetermined portion of said material to said site.