Dental appliance case

Abstract

A dental appliance case for receiving a dental appliance is provided. In some embodiments, the case may include a power source, a sound device, an occupancy sensor, and a processing unit. The sound device may be configured to create an audible alert sound. The occupancy sensor may be operable to detect the presence of a dental appliance. The processing unit may be in electrical communication with the power source, occupancy sensor, and the sound device. The processing unit may be operable to operate the sound device to create an audible alert in response to an electronic communication from the occupancy sensor.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims priority to and the benefit of the filing date of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62 / 063,647, filed on Oct. 14, 2014, entitled “DENTAL APPLIANCE CASE APPARATUS”, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]This patent specification relates to the field of dental appliance cases. More specifically, this patent specification relates to dental appliance cases configured to provide information on a dental appliance.BACKGROUND[0003]Dental appliances are used for a variety of purposes and may include retainers, dentures, partial dentures, active aligners, protraction headgear, spring aligners, and the like. Users of these appliances face similar problems regardless of the type of appliance. Dental appliance users often face a problem of remembering to wear their appliance. By forgetting to wear a retainer, the user may encounter treatment setbacks such as their teeth shifting or...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent is for a dental appliance case that is designed to protect and securely hold a dental appliance. The case has a power source, an alert device, an occupancy sensor, and a processing unit. The occupancy sensor can detect the presence of the dental appliance and the processing unit can operate the alert device to create a tactile, visual, or auditory alert in response. The case can also have a lid and base that can be temporally aligned and brought together to create a cavity to hold the dental appliance. The case can also use wireless communication to send and receive information from the occupancy sensor. Overall, the invention provides a convenient and effective way to protect and secure dental appliances.

Problems solved by technology

Users of these appliances face similar problems regardless of the type of appliance.

Dental appliance users often face a problem of remembering to wear their appliance.

By forgetting to wear a retainer, the user may encounter treatment setbacks such as their teeth shifting or not moving correctly requiring a lengthy and uncomfortable treatment period.

Users may also encounter the problem of remembering where they left their dental appliance.

These appliances are usually expensive and difficult to replace.

Much time and energy can be wasted on looking for lost appliances.

If the appliance cannot be found, in addition to possible treatment setbacks, a user may be required to pay for a replacement appliance.

For dental appliances such as retainers, a user may have trouble remembering the amount of time they have been wearing their dental appliance each day.

Without an accurate accounting of the amount of time the retainer has been worn, a user may also encounter treatment setbacks such as their teeth shifting or not moving correctly requiring a lengthy and uncomfortable treatment period.

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