GB2341324A

GB2341324A - Tooth correction device with decorative feature

Info

Publication number: GB2341324A
Application number: GB9920842A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Valery Mossley
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1998-09-08
Filing date: 1999-09-04
Publication date: 2000-03-15
Also published as: GB9819432D0; GB9920842D0

Abstract

A tooth correction device including a decorative feature which serves to make the visible part of the device, when worn, of a more pleasing or acceptable appearance. The decorative design, may include the name of, for instance, a person or a pop group and may be detachable from the device. Alternatively, the decorative feature may be integral or permanently attached to the device.

Description

2341324 TOOTH CORRECTION DEVICES This invention relates to tooth

correction devices such as clamps and braces. 5 Tooth correction devices have been known for many years. They are effective in curing defects such as misaligned teeth but suffer from the disadvantage that they are unsightly and children and young people generally do not like wearing them. Moreover, children and young people can suffer psychological problems such as shyness and embarrassment about revealing the tooth correction device and can be teased/bullied about their facial appearance. They may be reluctant to smile. There is a need for a tooth correction device which is of a more pleasing appearance than those currently in use and which encourages wearers to regard them as fashion accessories.

According to the present invention there is provided a tooth correction device including a decorative feature which serves to make the visible part of the device, when worn, of a more pleasing or acceptable appearance.

In use, the decorative feature extends over at least a part of the tooth correction device thus obscuring and concealing a part of the brace. In this way, at least a part of the unsightly tooth correction device/brace is obscured.

A suitable decorative design, including the name of, for instance, a person or a pop group, motif or picture may be incorporated as an integral part of the design of the tooth correction device. The decorative design can be any colour that a user requires.

Alternatively, the decorative design may be a separate feature which can be attached to the tooth correction device. By providing the decorative feature as a separate item, the wearer of the tooth correction device may change the decorative feature according to changes of fashion or for other reasons, for instance, because the decoration 1 features the name of a boyfriend or girlfriend and there has been a change of affinity in this respect.

Any suitable manner of attachment of the decorative feature, when separate from the tooth correction device, to the tooth correction device is within the scope of the present invention. For instance, the decorative device may be a simple arrangement which clips on to the tooth correction device which may be a standard brace or other device.

Where the decorative feature is an integral part of the tooth correction device it may be integrally formed together with a body part of the device or may be attached thereto by adhesive or welding or in some other way.

With reference to Figure 1 there is shown the tooth correction device of the invention, in this particular embodiment of the invention device 1 has decorative feature 2 with the word "cool", however it will be appreciated that the decorative feature is selected according to a user's requirements.

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Claims

Claims

I A tooth correction device including at least one decorative feature which serves to make the visible part of the device, when worn, of a more pleasing or 5 acceptable appearance.
2. A tooth correction device according to Claim I which in use, the decorative feature extends over at least a part of the tooth correction device thus obscuring and concealing a part of the brace whereby at least a part of the tooth correction device/brace is obscured.
3. A tooth correction device according to either Claim I or 2 wherein the decorative feature is provided as an integral part of the tooth correction device.
4. A tooth correction device according to either Claim I or 2 wherein the decorative feature is provided separately from the tooth correction device.
5. A tooth correction device according to any of Claims 1,2 or 4 wherein the decorative feature is detachable and/or interchangeable.
6. A tooth correction device according any of Claims 1,2,4 or 5 wherein the decorative feature is attached to the tooth correction device by means of clips.
7. A tooth correction device according to any of Claims 1-3 wherein the decorative feature is formed together with a body part of the device or is attached thereto by adhesive or welding.
8. A tooth correction device according to any preceding claim wherein the decorative feature is selected from the group consisting of a name, picture and motif.

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