초록 ▼

A glow-in-the-dark plastic dental appliance typically for pediatric dental patients, and method of constructing the appliance. According to a preferred method of the invention, the dental appliance is constructed by first forming an impression of a patient's upper or lower dentition and constructing

A glow-in-the-dark plastic dental appliance typically for pediatric dental patients, and method of constructing the appliance. According to a preferred method of the invention, the dental appliance is constructed by first forming an impression of a patient's upper or lower dentition and constructing a cast from the impression. The appliance is thermoformed over the cast, typically using a vacuum or pressure thermoforming machine and a sheet, plate or disc of thermoformable plastic impregnated or coated with a phosphorescent material. The appliance is capable of glowing in the dark for a limited period of time after exposure to a light source and as the appliance is worn on the patient's dentition, and is capable of repeated phosphorescence throughout the dental treatment period.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A thermoformed phosphorescent dental appliance having an appliance body constructed by straightening a patient's dentition; making an impression of the patient's straightened dentition; constructing a dental impression cast from said impression; providing a sheet of thermoformable plastic, said s

1. A thermoformed phosphorescent dental appliance having an appliance body constructed by straightening a patient's dentition; making an impression of the patient's straightened dentition; constructing a dental impression cast from said impression; providing a sheet of thermoformable plastic, said sheet of thermoformable plastic having a selected phosphorescent material present in said sheet of thermoformable plastic in a quantity of greater than about 75% by weight of the phosphorescent/plastic composition; thermoforming said sheet of thermoformable plastic on said dental impression cast; and allowing said sheet of plastic to set on said dental impression cast and form said appliance body.