WO2000038587A1

WO2000038587A1 - Method and system for applying ornamental jewelry to teeth

Info

Publication number: WO2000038587A1
Application number: PCT/US1998/027785
Authority: WO
Inventors: Michael K. Sigler; Maria A. Kunstadter
Original assignee: Sigler Michael K; Kunstadter Maria A
Priority date: 1998-12-29
Filing date: 1998-12-29
Publication date: 2000-07-06
Also published as: AU2020899A

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method and system for applying ornamental jewelry (10) to a person's tooth (14). Before application, the tooth (14) is cleaned, etched, rinsed, then dried. Unfilled resin (16) is then placed on the etched surface (24) and cured with a light source (26). Filled resin (18) is then placed on the area containing the unfilled resin (16). The back side of a selected number of jewels (10) is then positioned against the filled resin (18) on the tooth (14). The filled resin (18) is then cured with a light source (26), bonding the selected number of jewels (10) to the tooth (14).

Description

METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR APPLYING ORNAMENTAL JEWELRY TO TEETH

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a method and system for applying an ornamental article directly to the surface of a living tooth. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method and system for attaching a three- dimensional article of jewelry to the surface of a living tooth without the need for the extensive preparation commonly required with other jewelry applications.

2. DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

In certain social circles, it is popular to wear ornamental designs on one's teeth. Most such designs are comprised of tooth crowns with ornamental designs attached to them, such as initials, zodiac symbols, animals and the like. Typically, such crown designs are attached to the upper or lower front teeth, where they are clearly visible to anyone looking at the wearer.

To install such ornamental crown designs, the tooth on which the ornamental crown is to be mounted must be mutilated and reduced to a small stump. Most dentists are reluctant to install such ornamental crowns because the tooth that is selected for this treatment is normally a healthy tooth. Because the tooth is mutilated during these procedures, the health of the tooth can never be restored. Dentists therefore regard this as an extreme procedure for ornamental purposes only. Furthermore, crowns are difficult to replace, making it very hard to later change the design of the crown.

An alternative type of ornament for teeth is described in Stoll, U.S. Patent No. 5,104,320 which describes a process for attaching a design made from thin foil to a tooth. This process relies on the use of force from the dentist's hand to conform the design to the tooth. This requires the use of a thin malleable foil and thereby severely limits the nature and prominence of the design that can be installed on the tooth. Yet another alternative ornament for the teeth is described in White, et al . , U.S. Patent No. 5,810,593. Like Stoll ^λ 320, the process in White *593 allows for the installation of ornamental jewelry without employing a crown, but requires the making of an impression of the target tooth and preparing the ornamental jewelry so that the rear wall of the jewelry conforms to the exact surface of the target tooth.

The present invention offers an alternative to all the foregoing ornamental applications by providing a method and system for applying ornamental articles or jewels to the tooth that does not require the mutilation of the tooth, the use of a crown, malleable foil, or the making of an impression of the tooth and forming the jewelry to conform with the shape of the target tooth.

OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, the present invention offers a method and system for bonding prefabricated ornamental articles or jewelry directly to the tooth without permanently damaging the tooth. The present invention solves the above described limitations and provides a distinct advance in the art by providing a method and system for applying semi-permanent yet removable designs to teeth, without harming the tooth and without requiring the custom design of the jewelry. The jewels come in a variety of sizes and colors and may used alone or in conjunction with one another to create a design. Before application of a jewel, the tooth is first cleaned, etched, rinsed, and dried. A small amount of unfilled resin is then placed on the etched tooth surface and thinned with air. A curing light is then placed adjacent the tooth to cure the bonding compound. Next, a small amount of filled resin is then placed over the unfilled resin. The selected jewel or jewels are then mounted on the filled resin. The filled resin is then cured and polished if necessary.

A jewel applied with the method of the present invention will remain affixed to the tooth for at least several months, even longer, without maintenance. However, if the person desires to remove the applique, a dentist can easily do so with conventional dental tools.

The present invention provides numerous advantages over the prior art. For example, the present invention does not require any mutilation of the teeth, nor does it require an impression of the tooth to conform the jewelry to the tooth. Additionally, the present invention allows dentists to decorate their patients ' teeth as a part of the patients ' regular dental check-ups. Multiple visits are not required. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES A preferred embodiment of the present invention is described in detail below with reference to the attached drawing figures, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of several jewels used for application to the teeth. Fig. 2 is a front view of a bottle of unfilled resin and a bottle of filled resin which is used as the bonding compound of the present invention.

Fig. 3 is a schematic view of a patient's teeth showing a tooth being prepared for receiving an ornamental jewel. Fig. 4 is a schematic view showing the application of the unfilled resin to the prepared tooth. Fig. 5 is a schematic view illustrating the curing of the unfilled resin with a light source.

Fig. 6 is a schematic view illustrating the application of the filled resin atop the cured unfilled resin. Fig. 7 is a side perspective view of the application of the filled resin to the tooth.

Fig. 8 is a schematic view of the jewel being placed in the center of the filled resin on the tooth.

Fig. 9 is a side perspective view of the jewel as it appears after being placed within the center of the filled resin.

Fig. 10 is a schematic view illustrating the curing of the filled resin with white light.

Fig. 11 is a schematic view of the jewel as it appears on the tooth once the method of application is complete.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Figures 1-11 illustrate the steps as well as the materials used in the tooth decorating method and system of the present invention. The materials used broadly include at least one applique or jewel 10 and a bonding compound 12 illustrated in Figs. 1 & 2.

The jewels 10 are preferably comprised of three- dimensional quartz crystals of a variety of shapes and colors, although any other material which is non-toxic and aesthetically pleasing may be used. Each jewel 10 has at least one substantially flat base surface which is affixed to the tooth. Jewel 10 may be used alone or in connection with other jewels to form a particular design on the tooth 14, such as Christmas Holly, a comet or other like design. The size of the jewel 10 used will be determined by the size of each wearer's tooth 14 and the design selected by the wearer. Jewel 10 sizes range from 1 mm to 3 mm. While it is preferred that the jewels 10 be placed on the front surface of a wearer's tooth 14, as seen in Fig. 11, jewels 10 could also be placed between the teeth or inside the cavity of a tooth. Before application, the patient must first select the jewel or jewels 10 to be bonded to the tooth 14 and the position and arrangement of the jewel or jewels 10 onto the tooth 14. The etching process, described below, depends upon the positioning and size of the jewel or jewels 10 to be bonded to the tooth 14. To prepare the jewels 10 for application, all that is required is that the jewels 10 be placed, base side down, on a bracket tray or working surface.

In the preferred embodiment, the bonding material 12 that is used to bond the jewel 10 to the tooth 14 is an unfilled acrylic resin liquid 16 of the type conventionally used by dentists that sets when activated by light, used in conjunction with a quartz filled resin 18 that is also cured by light. While this bonding material is preferred, other bonding or adhesive compounds such as orthodontic bracket glue, crown and bridge cement or other dental adhesive may be used to bond the jewels 10 to the teeth 14.

To apply a jewel 10 to a tooth 14, it is recommend, but not necessary, that the tooth 14 first be isolated with a cotton roll 20 as illustrated in Fig. 3. As seen in Fig. 3, the tooth 14 is then cleaned with pumice or other abrasive using a cotton tipped applicator 22. Once cleaned, an area on the tooth 14 is then etched with a 35% phosphoric acid compound for approximately 10 seconds. When one jewel 10 is to be applied, it is recommend that the etched surface 24 be approximately twice the size of the jewel 10. After etching, the tooth 14 is then rinsed and dried. The tooth 14 is now ready for the application of the unfilled resin bonding material 16.

As shown in Fig. 4, once the tooth 14 is cleaned and etched, a small amount of unfilled resin 16 is applied to the etched surface 24 of the tooth 14 with a cotton tipped applicator or dental instrument, such as a brush or the like. After application, unfilled resin is thinned with air. The unfilled resin 16 is then cured with a light source 26 by placing the light source 26 adjacent the tooth 14 for approximately 30 seconds as illustrated in Fig. 5. This securely adheres the unfilled resin 16 to the etched surface 24 of the tooth 14.

Once the unfilled resin 16 is cured, a small amount of filled resin 18 is placed on the cured etched surface 24 of the tooth 14. The filled resin 18 is positioned on the etched surface 24 such that the filled resin 18 forms a small mound 30 on the area for receiving the jewel 10. As seen in Figs. 6 & 7, the filled resin 18 is applied with a dental instrument 28 for forming the resin 18 and is used to shape the resin 18 into a raised mound 30 on the tooth 14.

A cotton tipped applicator 22 dipped in unfilled resin 16 is then used to pick up the jewels 10 and place the base of the jewels 10 in the center of the filled resin mound 30 on the tooth 14 as illustrated in Figs. 8 and 9. Once properly positioned on the tooth 14, the cotton tipped applicator 22 is used to press the jewel 10 into the filled resin mound 30 until the jewel 10 is flush with the upper surface of the filled resin mound 30. The cotton tipped applicator 22 can be further used to pat and smooth the area. Again, the filled resin 18 is cured with a light source 26 for approximately 30 seconds as illustrated by Fig. 10. After curing, if necessary, the bonded area containing the jewel 10 may be polished gently with traditional dental polishing tools.

The method of the present invention results in a jewel 10 that is firmly bonded to the tooth 14 as illustrated in Fig. 5. A jewel 10 applied in accordance with the present invention will remain on a tooth 14 for several months, if not longer, without maintenance. When the person desires to remove a jewel 10, a dentist can easily do so with conventional dental tools, such as sealers and/or finishing burs. If necessary, the dentist can then smooth the tooth 14 with polishing paste and a prophy cup.

Although the invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiment as illustrated in the attached drawings, it is noted that equivalents may be employed and substitutions made herein without departing from the scope of the invention as recited in the claims. For example, the process described above for bonding a jewel 10 to a tooth 14 uses unfilled 16 and filled resin 18 as the bonding material 12. It is recognized by one skilled in the art, however, that other dental adhesives, such as those mentioned above, may be used. If another dental adhesive is used to bond the jewels 10 to the teeth 14, the method and system of bonding the jewel 10 to a tooth 14 may vary slightly from the method and system described above, depending largely upon the manner in which the selected dental adhesive bonds. For example, once the tooth is etched, it may only be necessary to place one application of bonding material to the tooth, then place the jewel onto the tooth and cure. Thus, the intermediate step of curing the bonding compound may be eliminated by using another bonding material or dental adhesive.

Claims

CLAIMSWe claim:

1. A method of adorning a tooth comprising affixing at least one jewel to said tooth.

2. A method of adornment comprising the steps of: placing bonding material on a tooth; and bonding a jewel on the tooth by placing the jewel against the bonding material .

3. The method as set forth in claim 2 , further including the step of cleaning the tooth with pumice before the bonding material is placed on the tooth.

4. The method as set forth in claim 3, further including the step of etching the cleaned tooth with a phosphoric acid compound before the bonding material is placed on the tooth.

5. The method as set forth in claim 2, further including the step of curing the bonding material after the jewel has been placed on the bonding material.

6. The method as set forth in claim 5, wherein the bonding material is cured by placing a light source adjacent the tooth.

7. The method as set forth in claim 2 , wherein the bonded material is comprised of an unfilled and filled resin.

8. The method as set forth in claim 7, wherein the unfilled resin is applied to the tooth and cured by placing a light source adjacent the tooth and then the filled resin is applied to the tooth.

9. The method as set forth in claim 8 , wherein the jewel is placed on the filled resin.

10. The method as set forth in claim 9, further including the step of curing the filled resin after the jewel is placed on the filled resin with a light source.

11. A method for applying a design to a person's tooth, said method comprising the steps of: etching the tooth; applying unfilled resin to the etched surface of the tooth; curing the unfilled resin; applying filled resin on the unfilled cured resin; placing a jewel in the unfilled cured resin; and curing the filled resin to firmly bond the jewel to the tooth.

12. A tooth decorating system for decorating a person's tooth, the system comprising: at least one jewel sized to fit on a surface of the tooth; and a bonding material for bonding the jewel to the tooth.

13. The system as set forth in claim 12, the surface of the jewel is circular and approximately 1-3 mm in diameter.

14. The system as set forth in claim 12, wherein the jewel is comprised of quartz crystals.

15. The system as set forth in claim 12, wherein the bonding material comprises an unfilled acrylic resin liquid and a filled quartz resin.

AMENDED CLAIMS

[received by the International Bureau on 24 April 2000 (24.04.00); original claims 1,2,11 and 12 amended; remaining claims unchanged (3 pages)] 1. A method of adorning a tooth comprising affixing at least one j ewel to said tooth without the necessity of custom fitting or conforming the j ewel to said tooth .

2 . A method of adorning a j ewel to said tooth without the necessity of custom fitting or conforming the j ewel to said tooth, said method comprising the steps of : placing bonding material on a tooth; and bonding a j ewel on the tooth by placing the j ewel against the bonding material .

. The method as set orth in claim 3 , further including the step of etching the cleaned tooth with a phosphoric acid compound before the bonding material is placed on the tooth.

7. The method as set forth in claim 2, wherein the bonded material is comprised of an unfilled and filled resin.

8. The method as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the unfilled resin is applied to the tooth and cured by placing a light source adjacent the tooth and then the filled resin is applied to the tooth.

9. The method as set forth in claim 8, wherein the jewel is placed on the filled resin.

10. The method as set forth in claim 3 , further including the step of curing the filled resin after the jewel is placed on the filled resin with a light source.

11. A method for applying a design to a person's tooth without the necessity of custom fitting or conforming the jewel to said tooth, said method comprising the steps of: etching the tooth; applying unfilled resin to the etched surface of the tooth; curing the unfilled resin; applying filled resin on the unfilled cured resin; placing a jewel in the unfilled cured resin; and curing the filled resin to firmly bond the jewel to the tooth.

12. A tooth decorating system for decorating a person's tooth without the necessity of custom fitting or conforming the jewel to said tooth, the system comprising: at least one jewel sized to fit on a surface of the tooth; and a bonding material for bonding the jewel to the tooth.

15. The system as set forth in claim 12, wherein the bonding material comprises an unfilled acrylic reain liquid and a filled quartz resin.

STATEMENT UNDER ARTICLE 19(1)

I. AMENDMENTS TO CLAIMS

Claims 1, 2, 11, and 12 have been amended to indicate that the method of applying the ornamental designs does not necessitate custom fitting or conforming the jewel to the tooth. No new matter has been introduced by these amendments.

This amendment to the claims is not taught by the prior art identified in the International Search Report. As recited in White, US 5819593, "[t]he dental appliance is made by making an impression of the target tooth, creating a mold from that impression and casting a noble metal appliance from a lost wax mold having a rear wall that conforms exactly to the surface of the target tooth." £se Abstract of White '593. As recited in Kunstadter, US 5759039, a paper or fabric applique is applied by conforming the design to the tooth. Sss Column 1, lines 32-38 of Kunstadter '039. Stoll, US 5104320, recites "a precious metal tooth facing...readily molded by the application of physical pressure...so as to cover and conform to the surface contour and the shape of the tooth surfaces...." See Claim 1, column 4, lines 13-1 of Stoll '320. Finally, Jensen, US 4813874 teaches a method of preparing and fitting a crown, which is conformed to the tooth to provide a natural appearance rather than ornamentation. See Column 1, lines 47-49 of Jensen '874. Accordingly, the prior art does not teach or suggest the use of a jewel, applique, or ornamental design that does not confoπn or is not designed to conform, to the surface of the target tooth. Therefore, Applicant's claimed invention is allowable over the prior art.