# US 8,784,783 B2 · Methods and materials for providing teeth with a white appearance

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- Number: US 8,784,783 B2
- Document ID: US8784783B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 14/029,115
- Filed: 2013-09-17
- Published: 2014-01-09
- Granted: 2014-07-22
- Earliest claimed: 2010-08-24
- Assignees: SafeWhite, Inc.
- Applicants: SafeWhite LLC
- Inventors: Scott Joseph Bridgeman; Richard Simon Brody; Thomas Joel Zupancic
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8784783B2

## CPC

- A61K 8/64: Proteins; Peptides; Derivatives or degradation products thereof
- A61Q 11/00: Preparations for care of the teeth, of the oral cavity or of dentures; Dentifrices, e.g. toothpastes; Mouth rinses
- A61K 2800/434: Luminescent, Fluorescent; Optical brighteners; Photosensitizers
- A61K 2800/57: Compounds covalently linked to a(n inert) carrier molecule, e.g. conjugates, pro-fragrances
- A61K: PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES (devices or methods specially adapted for bringing pharmaceutical products into particular physical or administering forms A61J3/00; chemical aspects of, or use of materials for deodorisation of air, for disinfection or sterilisation, or for bandages, dressings, absorbent pads or surgical articles A61L; soap compositions C11D)
- A61Q: SPECIFIC USE OF COSMETICS OR SIMILAR TOILETRY PREPARATIONS

## Abstract

This document provides methods and materials for providing teeth with a white appearance. For example, methods and materials for contacting teeth with one or more fluorescence emitting polypeptides (e.g., a blue fluorescent protein (BFP)) to provide the teeth with a whiter appearance are provided.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method for making teeth appear whiter, wherein said method comprises applying, to teeth, a conjugate comprising multiple blue fluorescent protein (BFP) polypeptides linked to a polypeptide having the ability to interact with or bind to a tooth or a tooth component, wherein fluorescence emitted from said BFP polypeptides makes said teeth appear whiter.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein said teeth are human teeth.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein said polypeptide is a polypeptide having the ability to bind to a tooth.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein said polypeptide is a polypeptide having the ability to bind to a tooth component.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein said polypeptide is a casein polypeptide.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein said polypeptide is a statherin polypeptide.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein a BFP polypeptide of said BFP polypeptides is linked to said polypeptide via a thiol group.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein said conjugate is present within tooth paste, and said applying step comprises applying said tooth paste to said teeth.