Dental decals and method of application

Abstract

A system for repositioning teeth includes a plurality of individual appliances. The system can be esthetically enhanced with one or more dental decorations attached to the surface of each appliance.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A dental system, comprising: 
 one or more appliances having geometries selected to progressively reposition teeth to successive intermediate arrangements; and    one or more decorations adhesively attached to the surface of the one or more appliances.    
     
     
         2 . The dental system of  claim 1 , wherein the decorations comprise one of a semi-precious object, a synthetic object, a metal object, and a precious stone.  
     
     
         3 . The dental system of  claim 1 , wherein the decorations comprise decals.  
     
     
         4 . The dental system of  claim 3 , wherein the dental decal comprises a front face having a design printed thereon.  
     
     
         5 . The dental system of  claim 4 , wherein the design is printed with nontoxic ink.  
     
     
         6 . The dental system of  claim 4 , wherein the design is printed with hypoallergenic ink.  
     
     
         7 . The dental system of  claim 3 , wherein the decal is ingestible.  
     
     
         8 . The dental system of  claim 3 , wherein the dental decal comprises an adhesive layer on a rear face.  
     
     
         9 . The dental system of  claim 3 , wherein the adhesive comprises a nontoxic material.  
     
     
         10 . The dental system of  claim 3 , wherein the adhesive comprises a hypoallergenic material.  
     
     
         11 . A method for repositioning teeth, said method comprising: 
 attaching a dental decoration to an appliance; and    placing the appliance in a patient's mouth, wherein the appliance has a geometry selected to reposition the teeth.    
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the decorations comprise one of a semi-precious object, a synthetic object, a metal object, and a precious stone.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the decorations comprise decals.  
     
     
         14 . A method as in  claim 13 , wherein the appliances comprise polymeric shells having cavities shaped to receive and resiliently reposition teeth from one arrangement to a successive arrangement.  
     
     
         15 . A method as in  claim 13 , wherein the dental decal comprises a front face having a design printed thereon and an adhesive rear face.  
     
     
         16 . A dental kit, comprising: 
 one or more appliances having geometries selected to progressively reposition the teeth to successive intermediate arrangements; and    one or more dental decorations adhesively attached to the surface of the one or more appliances.    
     
     
         17 . The kit of  claim 16 , wherein the decorations comprise one of a semi-precious object, a synthetic object, a metal object, and a precious stone.  
     
     
         18 . The kit of  claim 16 , wherein the decorations comprise decals.  
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein the decal comprises a design printed on the rear face and front face of the appliance.  
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein the decal is ingestible.