Patent Publication Number: US-2006019214-A1

Title: Compact tooth whitening device

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION DATA  
      This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/591,267, filed Jul. 26, 2004, which is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      1. Technical Field  
      The present invention relates generally to dental hygiene and more particularly to systems and methods for tooth whitening using a whitening agent and electromagnetic radiation provided by a compact electronic device to enhance and/or expedite the tooth whitening process.  
      2. Description Of The Related Art  
      In the past, tooth whitening was the sole province of the professional dentist. Professional tooth whitening typically involves a dentist applying a concentrated dose of a teeth whitening agent to the surface of the patient&#39;s teeth. The application of the tooth whitening agent is typically performed with the use of a dental tray (e.g., a mouthpiece), which has a reservoir for holding the whitening agent. The precise dosage of the tooth whitening agent (e.g., hydrogen or carbamide peroxide), generally ranges from about 10% to 35% depending upon the precise whitening agent being used. Due to the high concentrations of whitening agents used, special care is required to prevent exposure of the whitening agents to the soft tissue in the patient&#39;s mouth (e.g., the patient&#39;s gums, tongue and ingestion into the patient&#39;s digestive track).  
      While the patient&#39;s teeth are exposed to the tooth whitening agent, oftentimes an expensive, bulky, and high intensity device is attached to the dental tray in order to apply an electromagnetic field to the patient&#39;s teeth in order to expedite and/or enhance the chemical reaction of the whitening agent. The high intensity energy field may be applied in many forms (e.g., carbon dioxide lasers, infrared lasers, halogen lamps, and various heat producing sources). Typically, each of these sources for the intensity electromagnetic field are impractical for home use for a variety of reasons, including expense, lack of training, potential danger of inadvertent exposure, and the high voltage requirements typically associated with such a device.  
      An advantage associated with professional tooth whitening is that the results are typically much better than over-the-counter kits (discussed below). It is not uncommon for profession tooth cleaning to improve a patient&#39;s tooth color by up to 12 to 15 shades of whitening, as judged by the Vita Lumin Shade Guide. In addition, professional tooth cleaning provides the dentist the opportunity to tailor a tooth whitening program on a patient by patient basis. For instance, the dentist may vary the appropriate concentration of the whitening agent to be applied to the patient. In addition, the dentist may supervise the patient&#39;s treatment and provide alternatives should complications with the tooth whitening procedure, such as a patient developing sensitivity to the tooth whitening agent and/or damage to the soft-tissue in the patient&#39;s mouth. Disadvantages associated with professional tooth whitening include costs, oftentimes ranging in the $400-$1200 for a single tooth whitening application and the inconvenience of taking time out of the patient&#39;s day to visit a dentist.  
      Over the past few years, consumers are increasingly turning to over-the-counter tooth whitening products for home use. Several available methods utilize a tooth whitening agent, alone or in combination with other agents, in an attempt to whiten teeth. In some methods, the whitening agent is applied to teeth by brushing the teeth with a dentifrice, such as a paste, gel, liquid, cream, or powder, containing the whitening agent. In other methods, dental trays (e.g., mouthpieces) are employed. In these methods, a tooth whitening agent is deposited on a reservoir located on the dental tray, the dental tray is pressed onto the user&#39;s teeth, and the whitening agent is permitted to bathe or coat the teeth. In another method, dental strips are applied to the user&#39;s teeth, either individually or collectively. While these over-the-counter tooth whitening products are less expensive than professional tooth whitening, they are also less effective. Generally, over-the-counter tooth whitening products require substantially more time (e.g., weeks of repeated applications) than professional tooth whitening and the results generally show only about 5-8 shade improvement in tooth color, as judged by the Vita Lumin Shade Guide.  
      Accordingly, there remains a strong need for a system and method for whitening teeth that does not require professional supervision, is inexpensive to manufacture, is easy for the consumer to use, can be performed within the confines of the home or at any convenient place, provides professional results, and is less time consuming than conventional over-the-counter tooth whitening products.  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      The present invention is directed to a compact tooth whitening device including a tooth whitening agent.  
      Another aspect of the present invention is a compact tooth whitening device including: a compact electromagnetic radiation source including a body, at least one electromagnetic radiation emitter and a power supply; and an applicator for placing a tooth whitening agent on at least one tooth of an associated user, wherein the applicator allows electromagnetic energy generated by the at least one electromagnetic radiation emitter to permit a reaction with the tooth whitening agent in order to whiten the at least one tooth of the associated user.  
      Another aspect of the present invention is a tooth whitening method including: depositing a tooth whitening agent on an applicator; securing the applicator in an associated user&#39;s mouth, whereby the applicator coats at least one tooth desired to be whitened; securing a compact electromagnetic radiation source to the applicator, wherein the compact electromagnetic radiation source includes at least one electromagnetic radiation emitter and a power supply; and exposing the at least one tooth desired to be treated with electromagnetic radiation generated from the at least one electromagnetic radiation emitter, wherein the applicator permits the electromagnetic radiation generated by the at least one electromagnetic radiation emitter to cause a reaction with the tooth whitening agent in order to whiten the at least one tooth of the associated user.  
      Another aspect of the present invention is a compact tooth whitening device including: a compact electromagnetic radiation source including a body, at least one electromagnetic radiation emitter and a power supply, wherein the electromagnetic radiation emitter emits electromagnetic radiation in a range of wavelengths consisting of 300-700 nanometers; and an applicator for placing a tooth whitening agent on at least one tooth of an associated user, wherein the applicator allows electromagnetic energy generated by the at least one electromagnetic radiation emitter to permit a reaction with the tooth whitening agent in order to whiten the at least one tooth of the associated user, wherein the tooth whitening agent is selected based upon the wavelength of electromagnetic radiation emitted from the electromagnetic radiation emitter.  
      Another aspect of the present invention is a package including an enclosure for securely covering a compact tooth whitening device; an opening on a surface of the enclosure to allow manipulation by at least one hand of a prospective purchaser; and a treated portion of the enclosure being visible to the prospective purchaser, wherein upon exposure to the electromagnetic radiation provided by the electromagnetic radiation emitter, the treated portion of the enclosure becomes lighter than when not exposed to the electromagnetic radiation.  
      Other systems, methods, features, and advantages of the present invention will be or become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following drawings and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features, and advantages be included within this description, be within the scope of the present invention, and be protected by the accompanying claims. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS  
      Many aspects of the invention can be better understood with reference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the present invention. Moreover, in the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.  
       FIGS. 1A and 1B  are perspective drawings of compact tooth whitening devices in accordance with the present invention;  
       FIG. 1C  is top plan view of a compact tooth whitening device in accordance with the present invention;  
       FIG. 2A  is a perspective view of an electromagnetic radiation source in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention;  
       FIG. 2B  is side profile view of an electromagnetic radiation source in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention;  
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of an electromagnetic source in accordance with one aspect of the present invention;  
       FIGS. 4A-4B  are perspective views of electromagnetic radiation sources in accordance with aspects of the present invention;  
       FIGS. 5A-5C  are perspective views of electromagnetic radiation sources in accordance with aspects of the present invention;  
       FIG. 6  is a perspective view of an electromagnetic radiation source in accordance with one aspect of the present invention;  
       FIG. 7A  is top plan view of a compact tooth whitening device in accordance with one aspect of the present invention;  
       FIGS. 7B and 7C  are front plan views of applicators in accordance with aspects of the present invention;  
       FIG. 8A  is a side plan view of an applicator in accordance with one aspect of the present invention;  
       FIG. 8B  is a front plan view of an applicator in accordance with one aspect of the present invention;  
       FIG. 9  is a block diagram illustrating a method in accordance with the present invention;  
       FIG. 10  is a functional block diagram in accordance with one aspect of the present invention; and  
       FIG. 11  is a perspective view of exemplary product packaging in accordance with the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
      In the detailed description that follows, corresponding components have been given the same reference numerals, regardless of whether they are shown in different embodiments or views of the inventions described herein. To illustrate the various aspects of the inventions in a clear and concise manner, the drawings may not necessarily be to scale and certain features may be shown in somewhat schematic form.  
      A compact tooth whitening device  10  according to one aspect of the present invention is illustrated in  FIGS. 1A-1C . The compact tooth whitening device  10  includes an electromagnetic radiation source  12  and an applicator  14 . A whitening agent  16  (shown in  FIG. 1C ) may be placed in the applicator  14  and applied to the user&#39;s teeth. Upon proper placement of the applicator  14  in the user&#39;s mouth, the whitening agent  16  bathes or covers the exposed surface of the user&#39;s teeth. The electromagnetic radiation source  12  is then directed to the visible portion of the user&#39;s teeth, which are exposed to the tooth whitening agent  16 . The electromagnetic radiation source  12  is then activated to impart electromagnetic radiation to the surface of the user&#39;s teeth coated with the tooth whitening agent  16 , thereby causing a chemical reaction with the whitening agent  16 , the effect of which is to enhance and/or expedite the tooth whitening effect of the application.  
      As illustrated in  FIG. 2A , the electromagnetic radiation source  12  includes a body  18 , at least one electromagnetic radiation emitter(s)  20  (denoted  20 A- 20 C in  FIG. 2A ), an activation switch  22 , a power supply  24  (not shown) and optionally may also include an audible and/or visual indication means,  26  and  28 , respectively.  
      The body  18  may be formed from any type of material (e.g., plastic, metal, or rubber). In one aspect of the invention, the body  18  is formed from a hardened plastic material to fit comfortably in the hand of the user and is resistant to breaking upon impact. In another aspect of the invention, the body  18  is light weight so as to be securely fastened to the applicator  14  in a manner that does not require the user to provide additional support with a hand during use. Preferably, the body  18  is secured to the applicator  14  and supported during use by the user biting down on the applicator  14 , thereby engaging the applicator  14  with the user&#39;s teeth.  
      The body  18  also includes at least one portal  30  (denoted  30 A- 30 C in  FIG. 2A ), which permits the electromagnetic radiation to be emitted to the application area (e.g., the user&#39;s teeth coated in a tooth whitening agent  16 ). In one embodiment, multiple circular portals ( 30 A- 30 C) are provided, as shown in  FIG. 2A . The number of portals  30  generally coincides with the number of electromagnet radiation emitter(s)  20 . In another embodiment, shown in  FIG. 3 , a single rectangular shaped portal  30  is provided, which covers all of the electromagnetic radiation emitters  20 . As shown in  FIGS. 4A and 4B , a light diffuser  31  may be optionally provided to cover the electromagnetic radiation emitter(s)  20 . As shown in  FIG. 4A , the light diffuser  31  may cover multiple electromagnetic emitters  20 A- 20 C, or multiple light diffusers ( 31 A- 31 C) may be used to separately cover electromagnetic emitters  20 A- 20 C, as shown in  FIG. 4B . The light diffuser  31  is typically a transparent or semi-transparent material that diffuses electromagnetic radiation from the electromagnetic emitter(s)  20  and provides a substantially uniform spread of light intensity over the entire diffuser layer  31 .  
      As stated above, the portal  30  provide a passageway for the electromagnetic radiation transmitted by the electromagnetic radiation emitter  20  to enter the applicator  14 . The electromagnetic radiation emitter(s)  20  of the present invention may take a variety of forms (e.g., a halogen light, a light emitting diode (LED), a laser, or other such device). As shown in  FIG. 2A , the electromagnetic radiation emitter  20  includes electromagnetic radiation emitters ( 20 A- 20 C). One of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate that various types of electromagnetic radiation emitters  20  are within the scope of the present invention. For example, the wavelength of the electromagnetic radiation emitter  20  may be wide band; the electromagnetic radiation emitter  20  may be made of any commercially available material suitable for acting as an electromagnetic radiation emitter. In addition, various configurations of electromagnetic radiation emitter  20  are within the scope of the present invention. For instance, the electromagnetic radiation emitter(s)  20  may be provided at some predetermined distance. For example, as shown in  FIGS. 5A-5C , electromagnetic radiation source  12  may also include one electromagnetic radiation emitter  20 A, two electromagnetic radiation emitters  20 A- 20 B, and four electromagnetic radiation emitters ( 20 A- 20 D). The particular spacing of the electromagnetic radiation emitter(s)  20  is determined and chosen, in part, to optimize the desired whitening or cleaning activity provided by the electromagnetic radiation emitted from the electromagnetic radiation emitter(s)  20  and the whitening agent  16 .  
      In addition, although not illustrated, the present invention also includes using fiber optics to expose a portion or the entire applicator  14  with electromagnetic radiation supplied from one or more electromagnetic radiation emitters  20 .  
      One aspect of the invention is keep the costs associated with manufacturing such device low. As the number of the electromagnetic radiation emitter(s)  20  increases, so does the cost to manufacture the electromagnetic radiation source  12 . Accordingly, it is desirable to provide the least amount of electromagnetic radiation emitters  20  possible and still be able to provide electromagnetic radiation in an ample supply to photoinitiate the tooth whitening agent  16 . In addition, it is also desirable to provide a uniform field of illumination across all of the teeth exposed to the tooth whitening agent  16 . If a uniform field is not provided, one aspect of the present invention seeks to insure that at least the photoinitiation state has been met for each of the user&#39;s teeth that have been coated with the whitening agent  16 .  
      The electromagnetic radiation emitters  20  may output electromagnetic radiation at any wavelength that enhances and/or expedites the tooth whitening process. For example, the wavelength provided by the electromagnetic radiation emitter(s)  20  may be in the visible spectrum (i.e., from about 300 nanometers to about 700 nanometers), in the mirror-infrared range (i.e., such as from about 700 nanometers to about 980 nanometers) or in a combination of wavelengths. Preferably, a wavelength of about 400 to 500 nanometers is used. In one aspect of the invention, the wavelength of the electromagnetic radiation emitters  20 , is selected depending upon the whitening agent  16  used in a particular application. Preferably, the electromagnetic radiation emitter  20  is an LED that has a narrow wavelength of about 400-500 nanometers and further having a power consumption of about 100-180 milliwatts per LED. The wavelength of the electromagnetic radiation emitter(s)  20  is chosen to optimize the whitening effect of the reactive component of the whitening agent  16 . Likewise, the power consumption of the LED(s) is chosen to provide a timed duration of the application that is convenient for the user. For example, the higher the power consumption of the electromagnetic radiation emitter(s)  20 , the less time is necessary to complete the tooth whitening application.  
      A power supply  24  (not shown) is provided to supply power to the electromagnetic radiation source  12 . In one aspect of the invention, the power supply  24  is a battery. In another aspect of the invention, the power supply  24  is a rechargeable battery that may be recharged by an alternating current adapter or a base unit (not shown) in which the electromagnetic radiation source  12  rests while not in use in order to recharge the power supply  24 . The output voltage of the power supply  24  may vary depending upon the power requirements of the electromagnetic radiation emitter  20 . As stated above, the total power used by the electromagnetic radiation emitters  20 A- 20 C is within the range of 400-500 mW (approximately 180 milliwatts per electromagnetic radiation emitter  20 A- 20 C).  
      The electromagnetic radiation source  12  may optionally include a waveguide  32 . The waveguide  32  may be attached to a portion of the body  18  of the electromagnetic radiation source  12 . The waveguide  32  may be formed integrally with body  18  or may be removably attached to the body  18 . Preferably, the waveguide is removably attached to permit the user to easily clean the exposed portions of the waveguide  32 .  
      As illustrated in  FIG. 2A , the waveguide  32  may be curved to approximately match the configuration of a patent&#39;s upper and/or lower dental arch. In addition, the waveguide  32  generally includes one or more portals  30  that permit electromagnetic radiation originating from the electromagnetic radiation source  12  to pass through the waveguide  32  to the surface of the patient&#39;s teeth that are being treated. The surface  34  of the waveguide  32  is generally highly reflective in order to maximize the total reflection of electromagnetic radiation over the entire treatment surface. In one embodiment, the surface  34  of the waveguide  32  is a mirror. In another embodiment, the surface  34  of the waveguide  32  is a highly polished plastic or metal material that permits a high degree of reflectance of the electromagnetic radiation emitted from the electromagnetic radiation emitter(s)  20 .  
      As shown in  FIG. 2A , the waveguide  32  may also include a securing mechanism  36 A- 36  for securing the waveguide  32  to the electromagnetic radiation source  12  during use. In one embodiment, the securing mechanism  36 A- 36 B includes slots in the waveguide  32  that mate with tabs provided in the body  18  of the electromagnetic radiation source  12  or vice versa.  
      The waveguide  32  may also include a connection mechanism  38 A- 38 B for connecting the electromagnetic radiation source  12  to the applicator  14 , as shown in  FIG. 2A . Alternatively, as shown in  FIGS. 1A-1C , the applicator  14  may be formed to snugly fit within a receptacle integrally formed in the applicator  14 . One of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate that there a variety of ways to secure the electromagnetic radiation source  12  to the applicator  14 . In another aspect of the invention, the electromagnetic radiation source  12  is not secured to the applicator  14 . As shown in  FIG. 6 , a bite plate  42  is provided for the user to secure with biting on the bite plate  42  with the user&#39;s upper and lower front teeth. Preferably the bite piece is made of a transparent material that will not affect the electromagnetic radiation emitted from the electromagnetic radiation emitter(s)  20 . The applicator  14  is generally removably attached from either connection mechanism  38 A- 38 B of the waveguide  32  or the electromagnetic radiation source  12  to permit the user to easily clean the applicator without damaging the electromagnetic radiation source  12 .  
      The applicator  14  may take a variety of forms (e.g., a dual mouthpiece (for both upper and lower teeth), a partial mouthpiece (for the upper or lower teeth), a brush, dental strips or dental tape). As shown in  FIGS. 1A-1C , the applicator  14  is a mouthpiece. The applicator  14  is configured to fit over a user&#39;s teeth. The applicator may be generic (one size fits all) or custom designed. The applicator  14  generally fits within a user&#39;s mouth and may cover all of the upper and/or lower teeth or a portion thereof. In one embodiment, the applicator  14  may fit over both the upper and/or lower teeth, as shown in  FIG. 1A , or separately over the upper or lower teeth as shown in  FIGS. 1B-1C .  
      The applicator  14  may be manufactured from any suitable material including rubbers and plastics, including, but not limited to polyethylenes, polypropylenes, ethyl vinyl acetates. Applicator  14  may be manufactured by any method. For example, a custom applicator  14  may be made by making an impression of the user&#39;s teeth, and may be vacuum or thermoformed over the impression. In order to ensure that the electromagnetic radiation is distributed to all of the user&#39;s teeth that have been exposed to the whitening agent  16 , the interior portion of the applicator  14  (i.e., the surface of the applicator  14  in contact with the user&#39;s teeth) is generally highly reflective.  
      As stated above, the applicator  14  may include a reservoir  40  as shown in  FIGS. 1A-1C  and  FIGS. 7A-7C . The reservoir  40  may be secured to the electromagnetic radiation source  12  by any connection known in the art (e.g., interference fit or a locking mechanism that engages when electromagnetic radiation source  12  is properly inserted therein). The applicator  14  may be transparent or include a window portion that permits exposure of the electromagnetic radiation to reach the user—s teeth. The applicator  14  may also include connection mechanisms  48 A and  48 B (shown in  FIGS. 8A-8B ), which interlock with connection mechanisms  38 A- 38 B located on the electromagnetic radiation source  12 , as shown in  FIG. 2A .  
      In use, a whitening agent is applied to the teeth of the person desiring to have whiter teeth. The application of the whitening agent may take a variety of forms (e.g., depositing the tooth whitening agent  16  into the reservoir of a mouthpiece, using a brush to directly apply the tooth whitening agent  16  to the user&#39;s teeth).  
      The tooth whitening agent  16  may also take many forms. For instance, the tooth whitening agent  16  may be a gel, paste or a liquid, including toothpaste that apply a tooth whitening agent to the teeth. A tooth whitening agent  16  may be any liquid, powder or solid that imparts a tooth whitening effect on the user&#39;s teeth upon exposure. Common teeth whitening agents include hydrogen peroxide and carbamide peroxide. Generally, the tooth whitening agent  16  is diluted to lessen the harmful effects due to prolonged exposure to the chemical composition and possible risks due to ingestion. Depending on the precise tooth whitening agent  16  being used, the concentration of such tooth whitening agent  16  may range from about 1% to 15%.  
      The tooth whitening agent  16  may be provided in small plastic syringes, packets or in concentrated form. In one aspect of the invention, the tooth whitening agent  16  is provided in the form of a small plastic syringe that may injected or deposited onto the applicator  14 . The syringe may contain suitable amounts of tooth whitening agent  16  for a single application or multiple applications.  
      A method of using the compact both whitening device  10  according to one aspect of the present invention is illustrated in  FIG. 9 . In operation, the user deposits a sufficient amount of tooth whitening agent  16  to coat or bathe the tooth or teeth the user desires to whiten on the applicator  14 , as depicted in block  101 . The applicator  14  is then placed in the user&#39;s mouth, as depicted in block  102 . The electromagnetic radiation source  12  may then be secured either to the applicator  14  or to the user&#39;s mouth through the bite piece  42 , as depicted in block  103 . The user may press the activation switch  22  (block  104 ), which activates the electromagnetic radiation source  12 . Upon initiation, a visual indication means  28 , generally in the form of one or more lights, indicates that the electromagnetic radiation source  12  is to begin the application. The user may then press the activation switch  22  and/or start switch  44  which initiates a timed sequence depending at least in part on the type of tooth whitening agent  16  and/or the electromagnetic radiation emitter(s)  20  being used, as shown in block  105 . In one embodiment, the user may vary the duration of the timed sequence. In another embodiment, the compact tooth whitening device  10  is operable for a predetermined duration to obtain optimum tooth whitening results (e.g., 30 seconds, 1, 2, 3 minutes, etc.). Upon completion of the application, a red visual light or (LED) may be illuminated, which indicates that the process has been completed, as depicted in block  106 . In addition, to the visual indication means  28 , or in lieu thereof, an audible indication means  26  may perform one more of the functions discussed for the visual indication means  26 . For instance, the audible indication means  26  may provide a tone for each stage of the process (e.g., power on, process initiated, process completed). In addition, a unique tone may be provided for indicating each process step. Alternatively, a single tone may be provided to indicate the end of the application.  
      A functional block diagram of one aspect of the present invention is illustrated in  FIG. 10 . Upon pressing the start button  44  (or the activation switch  22  (not shown)), power is supplied to the compact tooth whitening device  10  by the power supply  114 . The visual indication means  28  may receive a control signal from the driver  108 . The visual indication means  28  may change colors or illuminate a different light and/or turn a different color. For instance, upon power being provided to the electromagnetic radiation source  12 , a green visual indication light (or LED) may be illuminated. Upon pressing the start button  44  (or the activation switch  22  (not shown)), a yellow visual indication light (LED) may be illuminated, which may indicate that the whitening application is in process. In turn, the electromagnetic emitters  20 A- 20 C receive a control signal from the driver  108  and emit electromagnetic radiation for a period of time.  
      In one aspect of the invention, a timer  110  sets the duration of the tooth whitening application. Generally the timer is preconfigured to provide an optimum duration for the tooth whitening application. In one embodiment, the timer  110  may be adjusted by a suitable adjustment mechanism  112  (e.g., a dial). In one aspect of the present invention a microcontroller (not shown) may be used to provide any or all of the functionality described herein.  
      Another aspect of the present invention relates to a “try me” package  46  for the compact tooth whitening device  10 . As shown in  FIG. 11 , the tooth whitening device  10  may be sold in packaging  50  that allows the user to perform a limited number of functions (e.g., a demonstration mode that allows the user to press the start button  44  of the tooth whitening device  10 ). In such a case, an opening  52  may be provided in the otherwise secure package  50 . Upon pressing the start button  44 , the electromagnetic radiation emitter(s)  20  may be illuminated to emit electromagnetic radiation on a treated portion  54  of the package  50 . Upon exposure to the electromagnetic radiation, a least a portion of the treated portion  54 , which may display a discolored tooth or teeth, is shown to transform the discolored tooth or teeth into a whiter shade. The treated portion  54  may include a treated section  54 A and an untreated section  54 B to allow a viewer to make a comparison of the whitening effect of the compact tooth whitening device  10  before and after application of the electromagnetic radiation provided by the compact tooth whitening device  10 .  
      As one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate, the example system and method described herein can be modified. For example, certain steps can be omitted, certain steps can be carried out concurrently, and other steps can be added. Although particular embodiments of the invention have been described in detail, it is understood that the invention is not limited correspondingly in scope, but includes all changes, modifications and equivalents coming within the spirit and terms of the claims appended hereto.