BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING
These and other objects of the present invention will become evident from the following illustrations:
FIG. 1 is an interior representation of the specially designed frame with the backside of the decorative plates inserted into the six (6) upward serpentine-shaped prongs.
FIG. 2 is an interior representation of a decorative plate illustrating the horseshoe-shaped fastening bracket element and inner grove.
FIG. 3 is an interior representation of decorative plates being inserted into the upper serpentine-shaped prongs of the frame assembly and illustrating the center depression or dimple that protrudes outward within the grove and bracket to provide the tension to hold the decorative plates stationary on the frame.
FIG. 4 is a representation of the decorative plates positioned illustrating the decorative face elements and the horseshoe-shaped fastening bracket on the reverse side and the specially designed frame with serpentine-shaped prongs prior to inserting the decorative plates.
FIG. 5 is a representation of the specially designed frame prior to the insertion of the decorative plates and illustrating the silicone-thermoplastic member inserted into the frame and held by the lower tightening prongs prior to the heat molding application as incorporated from U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/491,641.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
FIG. 1 is an interior representation of the specially designed frame with the backside of six (6) decorative plates inserted into the six (6) upward serpentine-shaped prongs and the lower extending six (6) tightening prongs. FIG. 1 illustrates the interior of the assembly with the decorative plates, showing the side of the horseshoe-shaped fastening brackets inserted into the supporting frame with the center placed depression or dimple in the bracket to hold in place the decorative plates.
FIG. 2 illustrates a single decorative plate with an interior representation showing the horseshoe-shaped fastening bracket element. The bracket has an inside track or grove to receive and hold firmly the serpentine-shaped prongs of the upper portion of the frame.
FIG. 3 illustrates the insertion of the upper serpentine shaped prongs of the frame assembly into the inside track or grove of the horseshoe-shaped fastening bracket of the decorative plate and illustrates the center depression or dimple that protrudes outward against the bracket side of the decorative plate to provide the tension to hold the plates stationary on the frame.
FIG. 4 is a representation of both sides of the decorative plates positioned illustrating the decorative face elements consisting of dentistry metal with outward plating of nickel free Rhodium, silver or gold imbedded with multicolor stone patterns of letters or other designs and on the reverse side of the plates the horseshoe-shaped fastening brackets. FIG. 4 illustrates the specially designed serpentine-shaped frame with the centered depressions or dimples to hold the plates.
FIG. 5 is a representation of the specially designed frame prior to the insertion of the decorative plates and illustrating the serpentine-shaped upper portion of the frame and the lower tightening prongs holding the silicone-thermoplastic member prior to the heat molding application as incorporated from U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/491,641.
Prior to the placement of the decorative plates to the frame, the silicone member and frame assembly, as illustrated in FIG. 5, is first prefitted to the user's mouth by shaping it to conform to the general shape of the teeth set.
Then, the assembly is heated by immersing in hot water to a desired softening temperature, which will change the silicone material from a non-transparent color to a transparent color. The silicone member will soften sufficiently to be molded about the teeth at a temperature in the range from about 120° F. to about 160° F. and which, upon cooling below this range of temperature and particularly to normal atmospheric or internal mouth temperatures, will permanently retain an accurate impression of the teeth.
The assembly is quickly inserted into the user's mouth and the user presses the thermoplastic material to form the impressions of the intra-oral structures. The pressure is maintained for 2 to 3 minutes while the thermoplastic material sets. The assembly is then removed from the mouth and immersed in cold water to fix the impressions.
As it cools to body temperature in the mouth of the user, it hardens in the shape that it is forced into and is therefore individualized and customized to snugly fit for the user adhering to the upper and/or lower teeth.
The finished device will tend to cling tightly about the teeth, so that it will not be dislodged easily in use but may be readily removed and re-inserted as desired.
Following the preparation of the tightening prongs and the molding of the silicone-thermoplastic insert, the decorative plates are then inserted as illustrated in FIG. 3. Each decorative plate may be removed and changed at any time.
Patent Application
20080076093
