Tooth protection seal

Abstract

To provide the problems that the application of a whitening agent and a manicure to teeth only gives a superficial shine and need to be re-applied periodically, and moreover, the application of the whitening agent and the manicure alone has little effect on protecting the teeth.SOLUTION: Provided is a tooth protection seal which is made of a UV-resistant PPF solid 1 molded to fit the shape of the front side of a front tooth and has an ultraviolet-cured resin layer 2 on a surface that comes into contact with the tooth. This is placed on the front tooth from the ultraviolet-cured resin layer 2 side, and ultraviolet light is irradiated from the front side of the PPF solid 1, so that the ultraviolet-cured resin layer 2 adheres to the front tooth. In order to allow a lower edge of the protection seal to escape the effects of bite alignment, it is preferable that a vertical size of the protection seal be long enough to create a gap 10 so that it does not overlap tips of the front tooth.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a seal for protecting human teeth that emphasizes the aesthetic aspect. Here, the seal does not mean sealing, but is a term with the same meaning as a sticker.

Background Art

[0002] Everyone has the desire to make their teeth look beautiful. Orthodontics is common for improving tooth alignment. For the teeth themselves, the use of mouthwash before going to bed (referred to as dental rinse or mouthwash), removal of stains (coloring and dirt), application of whitening agents, and application of manicures are carried out.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0003] However, even when applying a manicure, it only becomes shiny on the surface, and it is necessary to reapply it regularly. Moreover, the effects of protecting the teeth cannot be expected much only by applying whitening agents or manicures. This invention aims to solve such problems.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0004] Therefore, the inventor thought that a continuous protective layer should be attached to the surface of the teeth in the first place. Just as a protective layer is formed on the surface of a building or a machine by attaching a film, a somewhat thick and clear protective layer that cannot be obtained by the above application is formed on the surface of the teeth.

[0005] In the invention of claim 1, the above problem is achieved by providing a tooth protection seal having an ultraviolet curable resin layer on the surface that contacts the tooth of a resin sheet such as a PPF (Paint Protection Film) having a shape substantially identical to the shape of the front surface of the tooth. For example, in dental seals, bis-glycidol methacrylate (Bis-GMA) and urethane dimethacrylate (UDMA) are used as resin materials. When these harden, they adhere closely to the tooth surface and have the property of producing durability. In general, PPF is made of film-like polyurethane or polyvinyl chloride (PVC), is transparent, and has UV resistance. A PPF sheet-like body having an ultraviolet curable resin layer on the back surface of such a resin sheet is cut out in the approximate front surface shape of the tooth to obtain an individual protection film. Alternatively, a plurality of protection films are provided on a single PPF sheet-like body so that each can be cut out freely.

[0006] In particular, PPF has been used so far to keep the exterior paint of automobiles in good condition for a long time. It has been used for the purpose of protecting the paint from wind, rain, road dust and oil, insect collisions, flying gravel and small stones. Therefore, it makes sense to use it to protect the enamel layer of teeth, and because it is transparent, it is possible to form a clear protective layer. Also, unlike tooth manicures, it can be made into a relatively thick protective layer without spoiling the appearance of the teeth.

[0007] After the above-described resin-based protective seal is brought into contact with the tooth by a dentist from the side of the ultraviolet curable resin layer, ultraviolet irradiation with the required wavelength is performed by an ultraviolet irradiation light from the front side of the protective seal. When the ultraviolet light transmitted through the protective seal having UV resistance reaches the ultraviolet curable resin layer, the ultraviolet curable resin layer containing a photopolymerizable monomer and a photoinitiator quickly hardens. At this time, although the unevenness of the tooth surface varies due to individual differences, it adheres in a form related to the unevenness.

[0008] In addition, it is preferable to include fine particles of glass or quartz particles in the ultraviolet curable resin because it helps to effectively adhere the ultraviolet curable resin layer to the unevenness of the tooth surface.

[0009] By the way, it is possible to make the above-mentioned protective seal at least the size that a gap is formed between its tip and the tip of the tooth. If the tip of the protective seal is recessed more than the tip of the tooth and the tooth protrudes from the gap, the edge portion of the protective seal can be escaped from the influence of tapping such as clicking of the upper and lower teeth or tooth grinding such as squeaking. Alternatively, if the peripheral edge of the protective seal is recessed more than the peripheral edge of the tooth and the tooth is directly visible from the surrounding gap, the gloss of the protective seal acts due to this gap, and sometimes it has the effect of making the tooth look smaller.

[0010] Now, in the invention of claim 3, the above problem is achieved by providing a tooth protective seal having a cured resin layer corresponding to irradiation with any one of heat, laser, ultrasonic wave, and ultraviolet ray on the surface of glass that exhibits a substantially shape of the front surface of the tooth. This glass has resistance to heat to the extent that it cures the cured resin layer. It also has resistance to laser, ultrasonic wave, and UV resistance. It is preferable to use what is called bioactive glass or green glass for this glass. Also, in the oral cavity, the glass on the surface of the tooth is wet, but if there is a risk that the glass may become brittle due to drying, a small amount of ethylene may be included in the glass component. It is possible to use diamond glass or sapphire glass for the glass. Further, in order to obtain glass having substantially the same shape as the shape of the front surface of the tooth, the glass sheet may be cut into the required shape using an ultrasonic machining method or the like. Alternatively, a plurality of protective seals are provided on one glass sheet so that each can be extracted freely. If the tooth mold is taken and molded so as to fit this mold, glass that fits well with the shape of the front surface of the tooth can be obtained, and then a cured resin layer may be provided on the surface to be applied to the tooth.

[0011] The glass-based protective seal as described above is adhered to the tooth surface by applying heat from a dryer or laser, ultrasonic vibration from an ultrasonic transmitter, or ultraviolet irradiation of a required wavelength from an ultraviolet irradiation light from the front side of the protective seal after it is brought into contact with the tooth from the side of the cured resin layer by a dentist, causing the cured resin layer corresponding to each of the irradiation devices to cure. At this time, due to individual differences, the unevenness of the tooth surface varies, but the cured resin layer adheres in a form that engages with the unevenness.

[0012] It is preferable to include fine particles of glass grains or quartz grains in the cured resin because it helps to effectively adhere the cured resin layer to the unevenness of the tooth surface. Alternatively, it is also possible to obtain an appropriate cured resin layer by mixing the above-described cured resin into a filler used in dentistry.

[0013] This cured resin is preferably one that does not easily emit smoke or vapor of the cured resin in the oral cavity when heat from a dryer or laser is applied from the front side of the protective film, and is generally designed considering safety in this sense for the patient.

[0014] Next, it is possible to have a compression crystal layer on the surface portion of the glass. By subjecting the surface portion of the glass to heat treatment to promote crystallization and supplying a compressive force to generate a compression crystal layer, it is possible to increase the surface strength. Crystallization occurs in the surface portion of the glass, and for this purpose, it is advisable to roughen the surface portion of the glass in advance. The temperature applied at this time is determined according to the characteristics of the glass. Although the surface portion of the glass was made into a compression crystal layer above, an amorphous layer was left inside.

[0015] Next, regarding the tooth protection seal of claim 3 or claim 4, the glass may be sized such that there is a gap at least between its tip and the tip of the tooth. Since the tip of the protection seal is recessed more than the tip of the tooth and the tooth protrudes from the gap, the edge portion of the protection film can be avoided from the influence of forces such as when the upper and lower teeth mesh. Alternatively, if the periphery of the protection seal is recessed more than the periphery of the tooth and the tooth is directly visible from the surrounding gap, the gloss of the protection seal acts and sometimes has the effect of making the tooth appear smaller.

Advantages of the Invention

[0016] In this invention, instead of applying nail polish to the conventional tooth to form a thin coating film, the above-mentioned continuous protection layer having thickness is attached to the surface of the tooth. As a result, it becomes possible to protect the surface of the tooth continuously without the need to reapply regularly, with a thick and clear and sometimes shiny aesthetic effect.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0017]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

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Figure 9

Figure 10

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

Examples

[0018] This example will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 2 shows the first upper tooth (central incisor), with the left side of the figure being the front side and the right side of the figure being the rear side. The protective seal of this example shown in FIG. 1 is to be affixed to the front side of this central incisor, and has an ultraviolet curable resin layer 2 on the surface that contacts the teeth of the PPF body 1 formed to fit the shape of the front side of the central incisor. In addition, in order to avoid the lower edge portion of the protective seal due to the influence of meshing, a gap 10 is provided as the length such that it does not reach the tip portion of the central incisor with respect to the vertical size of the protective seal.

[0019] In addition, in FIG. 2, reference numeral 9 indicates the enamel of the tooth, reference numeral 90 indicates the dentin, reference numeral 91 indicates the cementum, and reference numeral 92 indicates the gingiva.

[0020] This is how the protective seal of this example is used. It is preferably masked in advance using a resin 3 for preventing infiltration between the tooth and the gingiva. The resin-based protective seal using the above PPF is transparent and has UV resistance. After the dentist appropriately applies the PPF body 1 to the front side of the central incisor from the side of the ultraviolet curable resin layer 2, ultraviolet irradiation of the required wavelength is performed using an ultraviolet irradiation light from the front side of the PPF body 1. When the ultraviolet rays that have passed through the UV-resistant PPF body 1 reach the ultraviolet curable resin layer 2, the ultraviolet curable resin layer containing a photopolymerizable monomer and a photo-curing agent cures rapidly. At this time, although the unevenness of the tooth surface varies due to individual differences, it adheres in a form related to the unevenness.

Example

[0021] The protective seal of Example 1 is provided as a single PPF body 1, while the protective seal of Example 2 is provided as a PPF sheet 11. An ultraviolet curable resin layer 20 is provided on the back surface of the UV-resistant PPF sheet 11, and protective seals 13 of various sizes are provided so as to be extractable from the PPF sheet 11 by cut lines 12 formed by cuts that reach the ultraviolet curable resin layer 20 (FIG. 3).

[0022] Therefore, it is possible to select and use the protective seal 13 that matches the patient's anterior teeth from among the PPF sheets 11. Alternatively, it is possible to take an impression of the patient's teeth, set the cutting line 12 according to the impression, and provide a PPF sheet 11 dedicated to that patient.

Example

[0023] In the protective seal of Example 1, a gap 10 was formed only in the lower edge portion in order to keep the lower edge portion out of the influence of occlusion. In the protective seal of Example 3 shown in Fig. 4, a gap 15 is formed throughout the periphery of the PPF body 14, and an ultraviolet curable resin layer 21 is provided.

[0024] Since the periphery of the PPF body 14 is recessed more than the periphery of the teeth, the enamel 9 of the anterior teeth can be directly seen from the surrounding gap 15. The presence of this gap 15 has the effect of making the PPF body 14 shiny, presenting an aesthetic appearance and sometimes making the teeth look smaller.

Example

[0025] Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram showing this example. As a thing to be attached to the front side of the anterior teeth, the protective seal of this example is formed of glass as a material. That is, it is cut out from a glass sheet (not shown) according to the shape of the anterior teeth and formed, and the above-mentioned thermosetting resin layer 5 is provided on the surface that contacts the teeth, which has heat resistance to the extent that the thermosetting resin layer 5 described later is cured.

[0026] The heat irradiated from the front side of the glass body 4 and transmitted through the glass body 4 exhibiting heat resistance hits the thermosetting resin layer 5 and cures, showing an adhesive force to the tooth surface.

Example

[0027] Fig. 6 is a schematic diagram of a protective seal, which is formed of glass as a material to be attached to the front side of the anterior teeth, and has a laser-cured resin layer 50 on the surface that contacts the teeth of the glass body 4.

[0028] The glass body 4 is resistant to laser irradiation to the extent that it cures the laser-curing resin layer 50. When the laser light transmitted through the glass body 4 irradiates the laser-curing resin layer 50, the laser-curing resin layer 50 cures and adheres to the tooth surface.

Example

[0029] The protective seal of this example is represented by the schematic diagram of FIG. 7. As something to be attached to the front side of the front teeth, it has an ultrasonic-curing resin layer 51 on the back surface of a glass body 4 formed of glass.

[0030] After appropriately applying the glass body 4 to the front side of the front teeth from the side of the ultrasonic-curing resin layer 51, ultrasonic waves are irradiated from the ultrasonic horn of a pen-type ultrasonic oscillator from the front side of the glass body 4, which is resistant to ultrasonic waves to the extent that it cures the ultrasonic-curing resin layer 51. The ultrasonic vibration concentrates at the tip of the horn, and from here, it directly penetrates the glass body 4 and reaches the ultrasonic-curing resin layer 51. Therefore, by appropriately controlling the irradiation of the ultrasonic waves, the ultrasonic-curing resin layer 51 melts and solidifies, and the glass body 4 adheres to the tooth surface.

Example

[0031] FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing this example. The protective seal is composed of a glass body 4 and an ultraviolet-curing resin layer 52 on its back surface, and contains quartz grains 53 in the ultraviolet-curing resin layer 52.

[0032] The uneven shapes of the tooth surfaces vary from person to person, but when the ultraviolet-curing resin layer 52 contains fine particles of quartz grains, the effect of effectively adhering the ultraviolet-curing resin layer 52 to the unevenness of the tooth surface is enhanced. It is also possible to use glass grains instead of quartz grains, or to use a dental filler in combination.

Example

[0033] This embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10. The protective seal of this embodiment shown in FIG. 10 is to be affixed to the front side of the front teeth, and has an ultraviolet-curable resin layer 52 on the surface that abuts the teeth on the back side of the glass piece 40 formed to fit the shape of the front side of the front teeth.

[0034] In the formed glass piece 40 described above, the surface portion is further heat-treated to promote crystallization, and a compressive force is applied to generate a compressive crystal layer 42 outside the amorphous layer 41, so that the surface strength is increased. Crystallization occurs in the surface portion of the glass, and for this purpose, it is preferable to roughen the surface portion of the glass in advance. The temperature applied at this time is determined according to the properties of the glass.

[0035] The above steps are simply illustrated in FIG. 10. An impression of the front teeth is taken as the thing to be affixed to the front side of the front teeth, and based on this, a glass piece 40 having UV resistance is molded (S1). This step includes generating the compressive crystal layer 42. Subsequently, an ultraviolet-curable resin layer 52 is applied to the side of the glass piece 40 that is to be affixed to the front side of the front teeth, which is the back side (S2). Thereby, the protective seal of this embodiment is obtained.

[0036] Next, the protective seal is pressed against the front surface of the front teeth from the side where the ultraviolet-curable resin layer 52 is applied (S3). Subsequently, when ultraviolet irradiation of a required wavelength is performed with an ultraviolet irradiation light from the front side of the protective seal, the ultraviolet light that has passed through the glass piece 40 having UV resistance reaches the ultraviolet-curable resin layer 52, and then rapidly cures and adheres to the front teeth (S4).

Industrial Applicability

[0037] This invention has contributed to the development of technology in that it enables a durable protective seal to be attached to the surface of teeth. Note that this invention may also be implemented for the teeth of pets and livestock, which is also within the scope of the rights of this invention.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0038] 1 PPF piece 10 Gap 11 PPF sheet 12 Cutting line 13 Protective seal 14 PPF unit 15 Gap 2 Ultraviolet curable resin layer 20 Ultraviolet curable resin layer 21 Ultraviolet curable resin layer 3 Resin for preventing immersion 4 Glass unit 40 Glass unit 41 Amorphous layer 42 Compressed crystal layer 5 Thermosetting resin layer 50 Laser curable resin layer 51 Ultrasonic curable resin layer 52 Ultraviolet curable resin layer 53 Quartz grains 9 Enamel 90 Dentin 91 Cementum 92 Gingiva

Claims

Claim 1 A tooth protection seal having an ultraviolet curable resin layer on the surface that contacts the tooth of a resin film such as a PPF (Paint Protection Film) presenting a substantially shape of the front surface of the tooth. Claim 2 The tooth protection seal according to claim 1, wherein the PPF is sized such that a gap is formed at least between its tip and the tip of the tooth. Claim 3 A tooth protection seal having a curable resin layer on the surface that contacts the tooth of a glass presenting a substantially shape of the front surface of the tooth, the curable resin layer corresponding to irradiation by any one of heat, laser, ultrasonic wave, and ultraviolet ray. Claim 4 The tooth protection seal according to claim 3, having a compression crystal layer on the surface portion of the glass. Claim 5 The tooth protection seal according to claim 3 or claim 4, wherein the glass is sized such that a gap is formed at least between its tip and the tip of the tooth.

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