Temperature-regulated heat-emitting device and method of whitening teeth

A method for whitening teeth comprising the steps of:

• providing a toothbrush employed with a bleaching agent in an oral cavity of a subject, the toothbrush including:
• a body having a head and a heating element disposed with the head, the heating element being configured to emit heat for heat activation of the bleaching agent,
• the head including an engagement portion, which is configured for engagement with at least a portion of the oral cavity, and a thermal sensor disposed therein, the thermal sensor being configured to sense temperature adjacent the engagement portion of the head,
• wherein a temperature adjacent the engagement portion is regulated by a thermal feedback circuit communicating with the thermal sensor and a thermostat disposed with the body to control heat activation of the bleaching agent;
• providing a bleaching agent;
• applying the bleaching agent to at least one tooth of the oral cavity;
• engaging the at least one tooth, applied with bleaching agent, with the engagement portion of the head;
• and
• transmitting heat from the heating element, wherein a temperature adjacent the engagement portion is regulated to control heat activation of the bleaching agent.

A toothbrush employed with a peroxide-based bleaching agent in an oral cavity of a subject, the toothbrush comprising:

• a body having a handle disposed with a neck, which is disposed with a head, the head supporting a heating element that is configured to emit heat for heat activation of the peroxide-based bleaching agent;
• the head including bristles mounted therewith, which are configured for engagement with teeth and gums of the oral cavity, the bristles being configured for motion relative to the head via a motorized gear configuration that is disposed within the body;
• a thermal sensor being disposed with the head adjacent the bristles for sensing temperature adjacent the bristles;
• wherein a temperature adjacent the bristles is regulated in a range of about 70° to about 140° F. by a thermal feedback circuit communicating with the thermal sensor and a thermostat disposed with the body to control heat activation of the peroxide-based bleaching agent;
• and
• an electronic circuit disposed within the body that communicates with the thermal feedback circuit and an energy source for controlling operation of the toothbrush.

A teeth whitening apparatus employed with a bleaching agent in an oral cavity of a subject, the teeth whitening apparatus comprising:

• a body having a head and a heating element that is configured to emit heat energy for heat activation of the bleaching agent;
• and
• the head including an engagement portion, which is configured for engagement with at least a portion of the oral cavity, and a thermal sensor disposed therein, the thermal sensor being configured to sense temperature adjacent the engagement portion of the head,
• wherein a temperature adjacent the engagement portion is regulated by a thermostat, disposed with the body and in communication with the thermal sensor, to control heat activation of the bleaching agent.

A method for whitening teeth comprising the steps of providing a toothbrush employed with a bleaching agent in an oral cavity of a subject, the toothbrush including:

• a body having a head and a heating element disposed with the head, the heating element being configured to emit heat for heat activation of the bleaching agent,
• the head including an engagement portion, which is configured for engagement with at least a portion of the oral cavity, and a thermal sensor disposed therein, the thermal sensor being configured to sense temperature adjacent the engagement portion of the head,
• wherein a temperature adjacent the engagement portion is regulated by a thermal feedback circuit communicating with the thermal sensor and a thermostat disposed with the body to control heat activation of the bleaching agent,
• providing the bleaching agent;
• applying the bleaching agent to at least one tooth of the oral cavity;
• engaging the at least one tooth, applied with the bleaching agent, with the engagement portion of the head;
• transmitting heat from the heating element for a first predetermined duration of time, wherein a temperature adjacent the engagement portion is regulated to control heat activation of the bleaching agent;
• discontinuing transmission of heat from the heating element upon expiration of the first predetermined duration of time;
• vibrating the engagement portion during engagement with the at least one tooth for a second predetermined duration of time;
• and
• discontinuing vibration of the engagement portion upon expiration of the second predetermined duration of time.