DENTAL DEVICE

Abstract

A dental device having a set of overlays wherein each overlay is dimensioned to cover a front surface of a selected human tooth so that at least one surface of the front teeth of the human are covered. An adhesive is mounted to at least a portion of the rear surface of each overlay, which may be mono or multiple layer, to secure the overlay to its associated tooth. The liners may function as cosmetic devices as well as drug delivery devices.

Claims

1. A dental device comprising: a set of overlays, each overlay dimensioned to cover a front surface of a selected human tooth, and an adhesive mounted to at least a portion of one surface of each overlay.

2. The dental device defined in claim 1 wherein said adhesive covers at least a portion of a back of its associated overlay.

3. The dental device defined in claim 2 wherein said adhesive covers substantially the entire back of its associated overlay.

4. The dental device defined in claim 3 wherein said adhesive is water resistant.

5. The dental device defined in claim 1 wherein said overlay comprises a flexible sheet.

6. The dental device defined in claim 5 wherein said sheet comprises a synthetic material.

7. The dental device defined in claim 5 wherein said sheet comprises a polymeric material.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0013] A better understanding of the present invention will be had upon reference to the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, wherein like reference characters refer to like parts throughout the several views, and in which:

[0014] FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view illustrating a preferred embodiment of the present invention prior to attachment of the dental devices to their associated teeth;

[0015] FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1, but illustrating the overlays attached to their associated teeth; and

[0016] FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken substantially along line 3-3 in FIG. 2 and enlarged for clarity.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

[0017] With reference first to FIG. 1, a preferred embodiment of the dental cosmetic cover 10 according to the present invention is shown for use with a set of human teeth 12. Only a portion of the upper section of the human teeth 10 is illustrated in the drawing, it being understood that a like description shall also apply to the remaining teeth.

[0018] As best shown in FIG. 1, the human teeth 12 include a number of individual teeth 14 which vary in size not only between the different teeth, but also from one person to the next. Each tooth 14, however, generally includes a front surface 16 that is visible to the public. Furthermore, the different teeth 14 vary in size depending upon the location of the teeth in the user's mouth.

[0019] Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, the present invention includes a plurality of thin overlays 18 wherein each overlay 18 is dimensioned to cover one of the teeth 14 of the user. Consequently, the overlays 18 will vary in size depending upon their associated tooth 16.

[0020] The overlays 18 are preferably constructed of a thin, flexible plastic material. As such, each overlay, when positioned against its associated tooth 14, will generally flatly abut against its associated tooth 14. The overlays 18, furthermore, may be trimmed as required by scissors or a knife to fit their associated tooth 16 of the user.

[0021] The overlays 18, furthermore, are preferably constructed of a thin, flexible plastic material so that the overlays 18 each flatly abuts against its associated tooth 14. The overlays 18 are preferably made of a thin plastic material for durable yet inexpensive construction. Other materials, however, may alternately be used without deviation from the spirit or scope of the invention.

[0022] With reference now to FIG. 3, a rear surface 20 of each overlay 18 is at least partially covered, and preferably completely covered, with an adhesive material 22. The adhesive material 22 preferably covers the entire rear facing surface of the overlays 18 although, if desired, the rear surface of the overlays 18 may be only partially covered by the adhesive 22. Furthermore, the adhesive 22 is selected so that, not only is it waterproof, but also retains the overlay 18 on its associated tooth 14 while in use.

[0023] Preferably, the adhesive covers the entire side of its associated overlay. Alternatively, however, only a portion of the overlay is covered with the adhesive 22.

[0024] If it is desired to remove the overlays from the teeth 14, the overlays 18 are merely pried away from their associated tooth 14 and either saved for future use, or discarded.

[0025] Preferably, the overlays 18 are constructed of a tooth colored, white polymer, such as plastic, to simulate the appearance of teeth. Alternatively, however, the overlays 18 may include any and all colors, patterns, designs, embellishments, and permissive use of trademarks in order to achieve a desired cosmetic effect.

[0026] From the foregoing, it can be seen that the present invention provides a simple, yet effective cosmetic dental device. Having described our invention, however, many modifications thereto will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which it pertains without deviation from the spirit of the invention as defined by the scope of the appended claims.