INDICATOR AND DENTAL APPLIANCE HAVING SAME

The present invention discloses an indicator and a dental appliance having the same. The indicator is used for a dental appliance. The indicator includes a first indicator and a second indicator that are stacked, the first indicator includes a first pattern layer, the second indicator includes a second pattern layer, and an active substance in an oral cavity sequentially penetrates through the first indicator and the second indicator and acts on the first pattern layer and the second pattern layer to sequentially present patterns. The indicator and the dental appliance of the present invention can optimize an indication effect and improve wearing compliance.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to the technical field of orthodontics, and in particular, to an indicator and a dental appliance having the same.

BACKGROUND

In the field of dentistry, many treatments need to be completed by wearing dental appliances in an oral cavity, for example, an orofacial muscle training device and a shell-shaped orthodontic appliance that is based on a polymer material and that is becoming increasingly popular due to advantages such as aesthetics, convenience, and ease of cleaning.

During a treatment, a sufficient dental appliance wearing time is an important guarantee for the treatment. However, due to the discomfort during wearing orthodontics and the characteristic of dental appliances that can be removed at any time, the patient's wearing compliance is a problem that plagues clinicians.

Therefore, in an aspect, suitable means are needed to improve patient's compliance, and in another aspect, suitable means are needed to indicate whether the dental appliance has been worn for a sufficient time.

The above-mentioned problem is a problem that those skilled in the art need to solve urgently.

SUMMARY

Objectives of the present invention are to provide an indicator and a dental appliance having the same, and the indicator can optimize an indication effect and improve wearing compliance.

To achieve one of the foregoing inventive objectives, an embodiment of the present invention provides an indicator, used for a dental appliance, where the indicator includes a first indicator and a second indicator that are stacked, the first indicator includes a first pattern layer, the second indicator includes a second pattern layer, and an active substance in an oral cavity sequentially penetrates through the first indicator and the second indicator and acts on the first pattern layer and the second pattern layer to sequentially present patterns.

As a further improvement of an embodiment of the present invention, the first pattern layer is connected to the second pattern layer.

As a further improvement of an embodiment of the present invention, the first pattern layer and the second pattern layer include different starch-iodine inclusion complexes.

As a further improvement of an embodiment of the present invention, the first indicator further includes a first reaction layer for blocking the first pattern layer, the second indicator further includes a second reaction layer for blocking the second pattern layer, and the active substance controls the first reaction layer and the second reaction layer to sequentially become transparent and sequentially expose the first pattern layer and the second pattern layer.

As a further improvement of an embodiment of the present invention, the first reaction layer and the second reaction layer are configured to become transparent when the adsorbed active substance reaches a saturated state.

As a further improvement of an embodiment of the present invention, the first pattern layer and the second pattern layer are configured to present patterns under the action of the active substance.

As a further improvement of an embodiment of the present invention, the first indicator further includes a first adsorption layer connected to the first reaction layer, and the second indicator further includes a second adsorption layer connected to the second reaction layer; and when the active substance adsorbed by the first adsorption layer reaches a saturated state, the active substance penetrates into the first reaction layer, and when the active substance adsorbed by the second adsorption layer reaches a saturated state, the active substance penetrates into the second reaction layer.

As a further improvement of an embodiment of the present invention, the first adsorption layer, the first reaction layer, the first pattern layer, the second adsorption layer, the second reaction layer, and the second pattern layer are sequentially stacked.

As a further improvement of an embodiment of the present invention, both the first adsorption layer and the second adsorption layer are transparent layers.

As a further improvement of an embodiment of the present invention, the indicator further includes an encapsulation layer for encapsulating the first indicator and the second indicator.

As a further improvement of an embodiment of the present invention, the encapsulation layer is provided with a through-hole for connecting the first indicator to the oral cavity.

As a further improvement of an embodiment of the present invention, the encapsulation layer is made of a material for isolating the active substance.

As a further improvement of an embodiment of the present invention, at least part of the encapsulation layer is made of a material penetrable to the active substance.

As a further improvement of an embodiment of the present invention, an outer contour of the second pattern layer is located on an outer side of an outer contour of the first pattern layer.

To achieve one of the foregoing inventive objectives, an embodiment of the present invention provides a dental appliance, worn in an oral cavity and including the indicator according to any one of the foregoing technical solutions.

As a further improvement of an embodiment of the present invention, the dental appliance includes a dental appliance body and the indicator arranged on the dental appliance body, and the dental appliance body forms a cavity for receiving teeth.

As a further improvement of an embodiment of the present invention, the first indicator is located on a side of the second indicator away from the teeth.

As a further improvement of an embodiment of the present invention, the first indicator and the second indicator are arranged side by side in a teeth arrangement direction.

As a further improvement of an embodiment of the present invention, the dental appliance is a shell-shaped orthodontic appliance or an orofacial muscle training appliance.

To achieve one of the foregoing inventive objectives, an embodiment of the present invention provides an indicator, used for a dental appliance, where the indicator includes an adsorption layer and a display layer, and when the adsorption layer adsorbs an active substance in an oral cavity and reaches a saturated state, the active substance penetrates through the adsorption layer and into the display layer, and the active substance acts on the display layer to present a pattern.

As a further improvement of an embodiment of the present invention, the display layer includes a pattern layer and a reaction layer for blocking the pattern layer, and the active substance controls the reaction layer to become transparent and expose the pattern layer.

As a further improvement of an embodiment of the present invention, the reaction layer is configured to become transparent when the adsorbed active substance reaches a saturated state.

As a further improvement of an embodiment of the present invention, the pattern layer is configured to present a pattern under the action of the active substance.

As a further improvement of an embodiment of the present invention, the adsorption layer is connected to the reaction layer, and the reaction layer is located between the adsorption layer and the pattern layer, or the reaction layer is located on a peripheral edge of the adsorption layer.

As a further improvement of an embodiment of the present invention, at least one of the adsorption layer, the reaction layer, and the pattern layer is a multi-layer structure.

As a further improvement of an embodiment of the present invention, the adsorption layer is a transparent layer.

As a further improvement of an embodiment of the present invention, the indicator further includes an encapsulation layer for encapsulating the adsorption layer and the display layer.

As a further improvement of an embodiment of the present invention, the encapsulation layer is provided with a through-hole for connecting the adsorption layer to the oral cavity.

As a further improvement of an embodiment of the present invention, the adsorption layer extends into the through-hole.

As a further improvement of an embodiment of the present invention, the encapsulation layer is made of a material for isolating the active substance.

As a further improvement of an embodiment of the present invention, at least part of the encapsulation layer is made of a material penetrable to the active substance.

As a further improvement of an embodiment of the present invention, the encapsulation layer encapsulates an upper surface, a peripheral edge, and a lower surface of the adsorption layer and the display layer.

To achieve one of the foregoing inventive objectives, an embodiment of the present invention provides a dental appliance, worn in an oral cavity and including the indicator according to any one of the foregoing technical solutions.

As a further improvement of an embodiment of the present invention, the dental appliance includes a dental appliance body and the indicator arranged on the dental appliance body, and the dental appliance body forms a cavity for receiving teeth.

As a further improvement of an embodiment of the present invention, the indicator is arranged on a side of the dental appliance body close to a tongue side, and/or the indicator is arranged on a side of the dental appliance body close to a lip side.

As a further improvement of an embodiment of the present invention, the dental appliance includes a plurality of indicators that are stacked.

As a further improvement of an embodiment of the present invention, the dental appliance is a shell-shaped orthodontic appliance or an orofacial muscle training appliance.

To achieve one of the foregoing inventive objectives, an embodiment of the present invention provides an indicator, used for a dental appliance, where the indicator includes a pattern layer and a scale, the pattern layer generates a changed area under the action of an active substance in an oral cavity, and the scale is used for indicating location information of the changed area.

As a further improvement of an embodiment of the present invention, the scale is provided with a mark for indicating a junction location between the changed area and an unchanged area.

As a further improvement of an embodiment of the present invention, the indicator further includes an encapsulation layer for encapsulating at least the pattern layer.

As a further improvement of an embodiment of the present invention, the encapsulation layer is provided with a through-hole for connecting the pattern layer to the oral cavity.

As a further improvement of an embodiment of the present invention, the encapsulation layer is made of a material for isolating the active substance.

As a further improvement of an embodiment of the present invention, at least part of the encapsulation layer is made of a material penetrable to the active substance.

As a further improvement of an embodiment of the present invention, the pattern layer includes a starch-iodine inclusion complex.

As a further improvement of an embodiment of the present invention, the pattern layer includes a first pattern layer and a second pattern layer that are connected to each other.

To achieve one of the foregoing inventive objectives, an embodiment of the present invention provides a dental appliance, worn in an oral cavity and including the indicator according to any one of the foregoing technical solutions.

As a further improvement of an embodiment of the present invention, the dental appliance includes a dental appliance body and the indicator arranged on the dental appliance body, and the dental appliance body forms a cavity for receiving teeth.

As a further improvement of an embodiment of the present invention, the indicator is mounted on an outer surface of the dental appliance body, the pattern layer changes color in a first direction and generates the changed area, and the first direction is parallel to the outer surface of the dental appliance body.

As a further improvement of an embodiment of the present invention, the first direction is a teeth arrangement direction.

As a further improvement of an embodiment of the present invention, the dental appliance is a shell-shaped orthodontic appliance or an orofacial muscle training appliance.

Compared with the prior art, an embodiment of the present invention has the following beneficial effects: An indicator and a dental appliance of an embodiment of the present invention can optimize an indication effect and improve wearing compliance.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention is described in detail below with reference with the specific embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings. However, these embodiments do not limit the present invention, and structural, methodological, or functional transformations made by a person of ordinary skill in the art according to these embodiments are included in the protection scope of the present invention.

Refer toFIG.1andFIG.2, which show a dental appliance100and an indicator10of an embodiment of the present invention. The indicator10is used for the dental appliance100.

The dental appliance100is worn in an oral cavity. This embodiment is described using an example in which the dental appliance100is a shell-shaped orthodontic appliance. In another embodiment, the dental appliance100may alternatively be another dental appliance that needs to be worn for a specific time in the oral cavity, for example, an orofacial muscle training appliance.

The dental appliance100includes a dental appliance body101and the indicator10arranged on the dental appliance body101, the dental appliance body101forms a cavity S for receiving teeth, and the dental appliance body101is generally made of a transparent material.

The cavity S for receiving teeth of the dental appliance100has a geometrical form for re-positioning patient's teeth from a first layout to a second layout. For example, the geometrical form of the cavity S of the dental appliance100may be determined based on the second layout of the patient's teeth, or the geometrical form of the cavity S of the dental appliance100may be substantially consistent with the second layout of the patient's teeth.

In this embodiment, the indicator10may be an independently manufactured product, and is subsequently used for the dental appliance100.

The indicator10is arranged on a side of the dental appliance body101close to a tongue side, and/or the indicator10is arranged on a side of the dental appliance body101close to a lip side.

The quantity and locations of indicators10are not limited, and may be determined according to an actual situation, and it is only necessary to ensure that the indicator10can come into contact with an oral cavity environment.

Refer toFIG.2andFIG.3, which are schematic diagrams of an indicator10and a dental appliance100having an indicator10according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

The indicator10includes an adsorption layer11and a display layer12, and when the adsorption layer11adsorbs an active substance in an oral cavity and reaches a saturated state, the active substance penetrates through the adsorption layer11and into the display layer12, and the active substance acts on the display layer12to present a pattern.

The active substance in the oral cavity is a change causing factor that can control the display layer12to present a pattern, and the active substance is, for example, saliva in the oral cavity.

That “the display layer12presents a pattern” means that the state of the display layer12is changed. For example, the volume, the shape, the color, the pattern, and the like of the display layer12are changed, and the changes can be intuitively observed.

In this embodiment, when the dental appliance100is not fully worn, the active substance adsorbed by the adsorption layer11does not reach the saturated state, the active substance cannot penetrate into the display layer12, that is, the display layer12does not present a pattern, and the display layer12still maintains the initial unchanged state.

Then, as the wearing time increases, when the dental appliance100is fully worn, the active substance adsorbed by the adsorption layer11reaches the saturated state, the active substance penetrates through the adsorption layer11and into the display layer12, and the active substance acts on the display layer12to present a pattern. That is to say, when the pattern presented by the display layer12is observed, it is determined that the dental appliance100has been worn for a sufficient time.

The adsorption layer11of this embodiment may continuously adsorb the active substance, for example, the adsorption layer11continuously adsorbs saliva. Only when the adsorption layer11reaches the saturated state, the active substance interacts with the display layer12. That is to say, when the adsorption layer11has not reached the saturated state, the display layer12is always unchanged. Only when the adsorption layer11reaches the saturated state, the display layer12is changed, which can greatly improve indication accuracy of the indicator10.

Compared with the solution in which the indicator10is always changed in the entire wearing process, only when the adsorption layer11reaches the saturated state, the indicator10of this embodiment has a state change, and the time in which the adsorption layer11reaches the saturated state is controllable, for example, by controlling the material, the thickness, or the like of the adsorption layer11. In an aspect, the wearing time can be precisely indicated by controlling the time in which the adsorption layer11reaches the saturated state, and in another aspect, a situation in which an erroneous determination occurs because the indicator10is always changed can be avoided.

In this embodiment, the adsorption layer11may be made of, for example, a material with a large water absorption rate, such as polyurethane, polyvinyl alcohol, or silica gel desiccant.

The display layer12may be made of a material whose state is changed under the action of the active substance in the oral cavity. For example, the material included in the display layer12changes color under the influence of the active substance, and the changing color may be becoming a color from being transparent, or may be becoming transparent from a color, or may be becoming from a color to another color. The color change of display layer12can be intuitively observed.

Alternatively, the material included in the display layer12presents a hidden pattern under the influence of the active substance, for example, presents a specific color, a smile pattern, a corresponding text, or a product trademark.

In this embodiment, the indicator10further includes an encapsulation layer13for encapsulating the adsorption layer11and the display layer12, the encapsulation layer13is provided with a through-hole131for connecting the adsorption layer11to the oral cavity, and the active substance in the oral cavity comes into contact with the adsorption layer11through the through-hole131.

The “encapsulating” means that the encapsulation layer13surrounds part or all of the structure of the indicator10, thereby controlling a path in which the active substance in the oral cavity acts on the indicator10, to prevent the active substance from directly coming into contact with the display layer12to change the display layer12.

In addition, the encapsulation layer13is made of a material for isolating the active substance, and the through-hole131has a small size. In a washing process of the dental appliance100, it is difficult for washing water to penetrate through the encapsulation layer13and enter the indicator10, that is, a factor of washing the dental appliance100or the like may be prevented from affecting indication accuracy of the indicator10.

In this embodiment, the encapsulation layer13may be a porous polymer film, for example, a porous polymer film made of a polymer such as polyurethane, silica gel, or polyacrylic acid, a penetration amount of the active substance may be adjusted by controlling the quantity and size of through-holes131of the encapsulation layer13(that is, controlling the porosity of the encapsulation layer13), and then the time in which the adsorption layer11reaches the saturated state is further controlled.

In this embodiment, the encapsulation layer13encapsulates an upper surface, a peripheral edge, and a lower surface of the adsorption layer11and the display layer12. That is to say, the encapsulation layer13wraps entire outer surfaces of the adsorption layer11and the display layer12, and the through-hole131is formed in only an area corresponding to the adsorption layer11. In this way, the indicator10having the encapsulation layer13may be used as an independent product and is insusceptible to an external environment, and the indicator10as an independent product may be flexibly applied to various dental appliances.

In another embodiment, a lateral surface of the display layer12away from the adsorption layer11may alternatively not be encapsulated by the encapsulation layer13. For example, removable release paper is arranged on a lateral surface of the display layer12away from the adsorption layer11. When the indicator10is mounted to the dental appliance body101, the release paper is removed and then the indicator10is fixed to the dental appliance body101, or the indicator10is directly molded on the dental appliance body101.

In another embodiment, at least part of the encapsulation layer13is made of a material penetrable to the active substance, and the active substance in the oral cavity comes into contact with the adsorption layer11through the material penetrable to the active substance. In this case, the encapsulation layer13may include no through-hole.

Specifically, the encapsulation layer13arranged corresponding to the adsorption layer11may be made of the material penetrable to the active substance, and the encapsulation layer13in another area may be made of a material for isolating the active substance. In this way, the active substance in the oral cavity may be controlled to come into contact with only the adsorption layer11through the material penetrable to the active substance, to prevent the active substance from directly coming into contact with the display layer12, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

A plurality of specific examples of the dental appliance100having the indicator10in the first embodiment are introduced below.

In a first specific example, with reference toFIG.2andFIG.3, the display layer12includes a pattern layer122and a reaction layer121for blocking the pattern layer122, and the active substance controls the reaction layer121to become transparent and expose the pattern layer122.

That the reaction layer121blocks the pattern layer122means that from the perspective of an observation end, the reaction layer121is located on an outer side of the pattern layer122; and when the reaction layer121is not changed, the reaction layer121blocks the pattern layer122to disable the pattern at the pattern layer122from being observed, and when the reaction layer121is changed and becomes transparent, the pattern presented by the pattern layer122can be observed through the reaction layer121.

The reaction layer121is made of a material becoming transparent after coming into contact with water. For example, the reaction layer121is made of a material whose refractive index and/or reflected light wavelength and/or crystalline state is changed after absorbing water to become transparent.

The display layer12is a structure having a display function. For example, the display layer12has a specific color or specific pattern.

When the adsorption layer11reaches the saturated state, the active substance penetrates into the reaction layer121to enable the reaction layer121to become transparent and expose the pattern layer122. When the pattern presented by the pattern layer122is observed, it indicates that the indicator10has been fully worn.

The reaction layer121in this example becomes transparent and exposes the pattern layer122only when the adsorption layer11reaches the saturated state, which can greatly improve indication accuracy of the indicator10.

In another example, the reaction layer121is configured to become transparent when the adsorbed active substance reaches a saturated state.

When the active substance adsorbed by the reaction layer121has not reached the saturated state, the reaction layer121does not become transparent or the reaction layer121has not become completely transparent, and the active substance has not penetrated into the pattern layer122. When the active substance adsorbed by the reaction layer121reaches the saturated state, the reaction layer121is completely transparent, and then the active substance penetrates into the pattern layer122.

In addition, the pattern layer122may be configured to present a pattern under the action of the active substance. That is to say, when the active substance adsorbed by the reaction layer121reaches the saturated state, the active substance penetrates into the pattern layer122to enable the pattern layer122to present a pattern. For example, the pattern layer122changes color, or presents a hidden pattern.

In this example, the reaction layer121and the pattern layer122are both located on a side of an outer surface1011of the dental appliance body101, the adsorption layer11is connected to the reaction layer121, and the adsorption layer11is located on a side of the reaction layer121away from teeth.

“A side of an outer surface1011of the dental appliance body101” refers to a side away from the cavity S.

In a direction Y from being close to the cavity S to being away from the cavity S, the pattern layer122, the reaction layer121, and the adsorption layer11in this example are sequentially stacked and connected to each other, and the encapsulation layer13encapsulates all of the pattern layer122, the reaction layer121, and the adsorption layer11.

The pattern layer122, the reaction layer121, the adsorption layer11, and the encapsulation layer13may be formed through spraying, lithography, screen printing, injection molding, extrusion molding, or hot-press molding.

In this example, the adsorption layer11is a transparent layer, and after adsorbing the active substance, the adsorption layer11is still a transparent layer.

The adsorption layer11is located between the reaction layer121and the oral cavity to isolate the reaction layer121from the oral cavity, and the active substance sequentially enters the adsorption layer11and the reaction layer121in a superposition direction of the adsorption layer11, the reaction layer121, and the pattern layer122. When the reaction layer121is changed and becomes transparent, because the adsorption layer11and the reaction layer121are both transparent, the pattern presented by the pattern layer122can be observed from a side of the outer surface1011of the dental appliance body101.

In this example, the encapsulation layer13is located between the pattern layer122and the dental appliance body101, and a lateral surface of the encapsulation layer13away from the pattern layer122and the dental appliance body101are fixed to each other. Certainly, in another example, with reference toFIG.4, the pattern layer122may alternatively be directly connected to the dental appliance body101, that is, the encapsulation layer13under the pattern layer122is removed.

It should be noted that, in another example, at least one of the adsorption layer11, the reaction layer121, and the pattern layer122is a multi-layer structure.

That is to say, the adsorption layer11may be a single-layer structure or a multi-layer structure. Similarly, the reaction layer121may be a single-layer structure or a multi-layer structure, and the pattern layer122may be a single-layer structure or a multi-layer structure.

In addition, in a case of a multi-layer structure, the multi-layer structure may be a plurality of layers whose materials and functions are the same, or a plurality of layers whose materials or functions are different.

Specifically, with reference toFIG.5, the adsorption layer11includes three layers of adsorption layers112,113, and114that are sequentially superposed, thicknesses, sizes, materials, porosities, and the like of the three layers of adsorption layers112,113, and114may be arbitrarily selected according to an actual need, and adsorption capabilities of the three layers of adsorption layers112,113, and114may be the same or different. For example, different adsorption capabilities of the three layers of adsorption layers112,113, and114correspond to different adsorption saturated times. In this way, different adsorption layers may be selected according to an actual wearing time that needs to be indicated.

It can be understood that the quantity of adsorption layers11may be determined according to an actual situation, and a bonding layer or another structure layer may be further included between adjacent adsorption layers.

The reaction layer121is a single-layer structure, but is not limited thereto.

The pattern layer122includes two layers of pattern layers1221and1222that are sequentially superposed, and patterns, colors, sizes, materials, and the like of the two layers of pattern layers1221and1222may be arbitrarily selected according to an actual situation. When the pattern layer122is displayed, only one layer of pattern layer may be displayed, or the two layers of pattern layers1221and1222are displayed simultaneously, or the two layers of pattern layers1221and1222are sequentially displayed. For example, the size of the upper layer of pattern layer1221is less than the size of the lower layer of pattern layer1222and the two layers of pattern layers1221and1222are simultaneously displayed, the lower layer of pattern layer1222is displayed on a peripheral edge of the upper layer of pattern layer1221, or the upper layer of pattern layer1221has a hollow-out area for exposing the lower layer of pattern layer1222.

Refer toFIG.6, which is a schematic diagram of a dental appliance100ahaving an indicator10aaccording to a second specific example. For ease of description, the same or similar reference numeral is used in this example for a structure the same as or similar to that in the first specific example, similarly hereinafter.

In the second specific example, the indicator10aincludes a pattern layer122a, a reaction layer121a, and an adsorption layer11athat are sequentially stacked.

The adsorption layer11ais a transparent layer. When the reaction layer121ais changed and becomes transparent, a pattern presented by the pattern layer122acan be observed from a side of an outer surface1011aof a dental appliance body101a.

An encapsulation layer13aencapsulates the adsorption layer11a, the reaction layer121a, and the pattern layer122a, and the encapsulation layer13ais provided with a through-hole131afor connecting the adsorption layer11ato an oral cavity.

The adsorption layer11aextends into the through-hole131a.

Specifically, the adsorption layer11ahas a protrusion111aextending in a direction facing the through-hole131a, the protrusion111afills the through-hole131a, and the top of the protrusion111ais flush with a top surface of the encapsulation layer13a. In this way, an active substance in the oral cavity can be effectively prevented from entering the indicator10adirectly from a gap between the adsorption layer11aand the encapsulation layer13ato come into contact with the reaction layer121a. In other words, this example may effectively control the active substance in the oral cavity to first penetrate through the adsorption layer11aand then into the reaction layer121a.

For other descriptions of the dental appliance100ain the second specific example, reference may be made to descriptions the foregoing or the following specific examples, and details are not described again herein.

Refer toFIG.7, which is a schematic diagram of a dental appliance100baccording to a third specific example.

In the third specific example, an indicator10bincludes an adsorption layer11band a reaction layer121blocated on a peripheral edge of the adsorption layer11b.

Specifically; the reaction layer121bis circumferentially connected to the peripheral edge of the adsorption layer11b. Certainly, in another example, the reaction layer121bmay be arranged on only a side of the adsorption layer11b.

A pattern layer122bis located between an outer surface1011bof a dental appliance body101band the reaction layer121b, and the reaction layer121bblocks the pattern layer122b.

An encapsulation layer13bencapsulates the adsorption layer11b, the reaction layer121b, and the pattern layer122b, and the encapsulation layer13bis located between the reaction layer121band an oral cavity to isolate the reaction layer121bfrom the oral cavity.

The adsorption layer11band the reaction layer121bare connected to each other in a teeth arrangement direction X (that is, a direction parallel to the outer surface1011bof the dental appliance body101b). When the adsorption layer11breaches a saturated state, an active substance penetrates into the reaction layer121bin the teeth arrangement direction X, the reaction layer121bis changed and becomes transparent, and a pattern presented by the pattern layer122bmay be observed from a side of the reaction layer121b.

In this case, the adsorption layer11bmay be a transparent layer or a non-transparent layer. When the adsorption layer is a non-transparent layer, the pattern layer122bmay alternatively extend beyond the bottom of the adsorption layer11b.

For other descriptions of the dental appliance100bin the third specific example, reference may be made to descriptions the foregoing or the following specific examples, and details are not described again herein.

Refer toFIG.8, which is a schematic diagram of a dental appliance100caccording to a fourth specific example.

In the fourth specific example, an indicator10cincludes an adsorption layer11cand a reaction layer121clocated on a peripheral edge of the adsorption layer11c.

Specifically, the reaction layer121cis circumferentially connected to the peripheral edge of the adsorption layer11c, and the reaction layer121cis located on two opposite sides of a pattern layer122c, that is, the pattern layer122cis sandwiched in the reaction layer121c.

An encapsulation layer13cencapsulates the adsorption layer11c, the reaction layer121c, and the pattern layer122c, and the encapsulation layer13cis located between the reaction layer121cand an oral cavity to isolate the reaction layer121cfrom the oral cavity.

The adsorption layer11cand the reaction layer121care connected to each other in a teeth arrangement direction X. When the adsorption layer11creaches a saturated state, an active substance penetrates into the reaction layer121clocated on upper and lower sides of the pattern layer122cin the teeth arrangement direction X, the reaction layer121cis changed and becomes transparent, and a pattern presented by the pattern layer122cmay be observed from both a side of an outer surface1011cand a side of an inner surface1012cof a dental appliance body101c.

In this example, when the reaction layer121cis not changed, the reaction layer121cblocks two opposite surfaces of the pattern layer122c, so that the pattern layer122cis completely invisible, and an observation error may be avoided.

For other descriptions of the dental appliance100cin the fourth specific example, reference may be made to descriptions the foregoing or the following specific examples, and details are not described again herein.

Refer toFIG.9, which is a schematic diagram of a dental appliance100daccording to a fifth specific example.

In the fifth specific example, an indicator10dincludes an adsorption layerdand a display layer12dthat are stacked.

The display layer12dis a single-layer structure, the adsorption layerdis connected to the display layer12d, the adsorption layerdis located on a side of the display layer12daway from teeth, and the display layer12dis close to a dental appliance body101d.

An encapsulation layer13dencapsulates both the display layer12dand the adsorption layer11d, and the encapsulation layer13dis located between the adsorption layer11dand an oral cavity to isolate the adsorption layer11dfrom the oral cavity.

In this example, the adsorption layerdis a transparent layer, and after adsorbing the active substance, the adsorption layer11dis still a transparent layer.

The display layer12dis a structure that is changed under the action of the active substance. For example, the display layer12dchanges color under the action of the active substance. Specifically, when the display layer12ddoes not come into contact with the active substance, the display layer12ddisplays a first color: or when the display layer12dcomes into contact with the active substance, the display layer12dis changed to a second color.

Alternatively, the display layer12dfades under the action of the active substance. Specifically, when the display layer12ddoes not come into contact with the active substance, the display layer12ddisplays a specific color: or when the display layer12dcomes into contact with the active substance, the display layer12dfades. In this case, the display layer12dmay be, for example, a starch-iodine inclusion complex, and the starch-iodine inclusion complex decomposes and fades only under the action of a saliva starch enzyme in saliva, which may prevent a carbonate beverage or another active substance from affecting a fading process of the display layer12d.

Alternatively, the display layer12ddisplays a pattern under the action of the active substance. Specifically, when the display layer12ddoes not come into contact with the active substance, a pattern at the display layer12dis not displayed: or when the display layer12dcomes into contact with the active substance, the display layer12ddisplays a pattern.

Certainly, the change occurring in the display layer12dunder the action of the active substance is not limited to the foregoing descriptions.

The adsorption layerdis located between the display layer12dand the oral cavity to isolate the display layer12dfrom the oral cavity, and the active substance sequentially enters the adsorption layer11dand the display layer12din a superposition direction of the adsorption layerdand the display layer12d. When the display layer12dis changed, because the adsorption layerdis transparent, a pattern presented by the display layer12dmay be observed from a side of an outer surface1011dof the dental appliance body101d.

Compared with the foregoing examples, the display layer12din this example is a single-layer structure, so that the whole structure of the indicator10dis simpler.

For other descriptions of the dental appliance100din the fifth specific example, reference may be made to descriptions the foregoing or the following specific examples, and details are not described again herein.

Refer toFIG.10, which is a schematic diagram of a dental appliance100eaccording to a sixth specific example.

In the sixth specific example, a display layer12eis a single-layer structure, and the display layer12eis circumferentially connected to a peripheral edge of an adsorption layer11e.

The adsorption layer11eand the display layer12eare connected to each other in a teeth arrangement direction X. When the adsorption layer11ereaches a saturated state, an active substance penetrates into the display layer12ein the teeth arrangement direction X, the display layer12eis changed and presents a pattern.

In this case, the adsorption layer Ile may be a transparent layer or a non-transparent layer. When the adsorption layer is a non-transparent layer, the display layer12emay alternatively extend beyond the bottom of the adsorption layer11e.

For other descriptions of the dental appliance100ein the sixth specific example, reference may be made to descriptions the foregoing or the following specific examples, and details are not described again herein.

In the first embodiment, the dental appliance100may alternatively include a plurality of indicators10that are stacked, and the plurality of indicators10may sequentially present patterns and indicate a plurality of wearing times. For details, reference may be made to the following second embodiment.

Refer toFIG.11andFIG.12, which are schematic diagrams of an indicator10and a dental appliance100according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

For ease of description, the same or similar reference numeral is used in the second embodiment for a structure the same as or similar to that in the first embodiment, similarly hereinafter.

In the second embodiment, the indicator10includes a first indicator20and a second indicator30that are stacked.

The first indicator20includes a first pattern layer21, the second indicator30includes a second pattern layer31, and an active substance in an oral cavity sequentially penetrates through the first indicator20and the second indicator30and acts on the first pattern layer21and the second pattern layer31to sequentially present patterns.

The active substance in the oral cavity gradually penetrates in a stacking direction of the first indicator20and the second indicator30. As the active substance in the oral cavity penetrates, the first pattern layer21and the second pattern layer31sequentially present patterns, which may indicate a plurality of wearing time nodes.

Specifically, assuming that the first pattern layer21presents a pattern after 7 days of wearing and the second pattern layer31presents a pattern after 14 days of wearing, that is, the first pattern layer21indicates a wearing time node of 7 days and the second pattern layer31indicates a wearing time node of 14 days, a wearing time of the dental appliance100may be determined by observing a presented pattern, which may adapt to dental appliances100with different needs.

It can be understood that this embodiment is described using an example in which the indicator10has the first indicator20and the second indicator30. In another embodiment, the dental appliance100may alternatively include a third indicator.

In addition, for a specific form of a presented pattern, reference may be made to the first embodiment, and details are not described again herein.

In this embodiment, the indicator10further includes an encapsulation layer40for encapsulating the first indicator20and the second indicator30.

The encapsulation layer40may be made of a material for isolating the active substance, the encapsulation layer40is provided with a through-hole41for connecting the first indicator20to the oral cavity, and the active substance in the oral cavity comes into contact with the first indicator20through the through-hole41on the encapsulation layer40.

Alternatively, at least part of the encapsulation layer40is made of a material penetrable to the active substance, and the active substance in the oral cavity comes into contact with the first indicator20through the material penetrable to the active substance. In this case, the encapsulation layer40may include no through-hole.

For other descriptions of the encapsulation layer40in this embodiment, reference may be made to the first embodiment, and details are not described again herein.

It can be understood that a wearing time indicated by each indicator10may be adjusted through the quantity and size of through-holes41on the encapsulation layer40, and the material and thickness of the pattern layer.

In this embodiment, the first pattern layer21may be directly connected to the second pattern layer31, or the first pattern layer21is indirectly connected to the second pattern layer31.

That is to say, the first indicator20may include only the first pattern layer21or the first indicator20further includes another function layer, and similarly the second indicator30may include only the second pattern layer31or the second indicator30further includes another function layer.

A plurality of specific examples of the dental appliance100in the second embodiment are introduced below:

In a first specific example, with reference toFIG.12, a first indicator20is located on a side of a second indicator30away from teeth.

The first indicator20includes only a first pattern layer21, the second indicator30includes only a second pattern layer31, and the first pattern layer21is connected to the second pattern layer31.

In this example, the first pattern layer21and the second pattern layer31are both located on a side of an outer surface1011of the dental appliance body101, the second pattern layer31is close to the dental appliance body101, and the first pattern layer21is located on a side of the second pattern layer31away from teeth. That is to say, in a direction Y from being close to a cavity S to being away from the cavity S, the second pattern layer31and the first pattern layer21in this example are sequentially stacked and connected to each other.

An encapsulation layer40encapsulates both the first pattern layer21and the second pattern layer31, and the encapsulation layer40is located between the first pattern layer21and an oral cavity to isolate the second pattern layer31from the oral cavity.

In this example, the first pattern layer21blocks the second pattern layer31, and description is made using an example in which the first pattern layer21and the second pattern layer31include different starch-iodine inclusion complexes. The starch-iodine inclusion complexes gradually fade under the action of a saliva starch enzyme in saliva. In another example, the pattern layer may be made of another material.

The first pattern layer21is made of a dextrin-iodine inclusion complex, and when the first pattern layer21presents no pattern, the first pattern layer21presents a red color.

The second pattern layer31is made of an amylopectin-iodine inclusion complex, and when the second pattern layer31presents no pattern, the second pattern layer31presents a purplish red color.

When the saliva in the oral cavity does not enter the encapsulation layer40, only the red color presented by the first pattern layer21may be observed on a side of the outer surface1011of the dental appliance body101.

When the saliva in the oral cavity enters the encapsulation layer40, the saliva first comes into contact with the first pattern layer21, the first pattern layer21has the red color gradually fading and becomes transparent, until the purplish red color presented by the second pattern layer31is observed. This case may indicate that the dental appliance100has been worn to a first time node.

Then, the saliva penetrates into the second pattern layer31, the purplish red color of the second pattern layer31gradually fades, until completely fades. This case may indicate that the dental appliance100has been worn to a second time node.

With reference toFIG.13, the dental appliance100may further include a third indicator50, the third indicator50includes only a third pattern layer51, and the third pattern layer51is made of an amylose-iodine inclusion complex. When the third pattern layer51presents no pattern, the third pattern layer51presents a blue color.

For other descriptions of the third indicator50, reference may be made to the foregoing descriptions, and details are not described again herein. By arranging the third indicator50, the quantity of time nodes that the dental appliance100may indicate may be further increased.

Refer toFIG.14andFIG.15, which are schematic diagrams of a dental appliance100aaccording to a second specific example.

In the second specific example, a first indicator20ais located on a side of a second indicator30aaway from teeth.

The first indicator20aincludes only a first pattern layer21a, the second indicator30aincludes only a second pattern layer31a, the second pattern layer31ais close to a dental appliance body101a, the first pattern layer21ais located on a side of the second pattern layer31aaway from the teeth, and the first pattern layer21ais connected to the second pattern layer31a.

Cross-sections of both the first pattern layer21aand the second pattern layer31aare circular, the first pattern layer21aand the second pattern layer31aare concentrically circular, and the size of the second pattern layer31ais greater than the size of the first pattern layer21a. In this case, an outer contour of the second pattern layer31ais located on an outer side of an outer contour of the first pattern layer21a.

An encapsulation layer40aencapsulates both the first pattern layer21aand the second pattern layer31a, and the encapsulation layer40ais located between the first pattern layer21aand an oral cavity to isolate the second pattern layer31afrom the oral cavity.

It should be noted that in this case, a step portion42ais formed in edge areas of the first pattern layer21aand the second pattern layer31a, the encapsulation layer40amay fill the step portion42ato avoid a case that an active substance in the oral cavity directly comes into contact with the second pattern layer31awithout passing through the first pattern layer21a.

Certainly, no structure may alternatively be arranged at the step portion42a. Instead, a through-hole41aof the encapsulation layer40ais arranged to connect to only the first pattern layer21a, and the encapsulation layer40aand the first pattern layer21atightly fit to prevent the active substance from entering the step portion42a.

In this example, description is made using an example in which the first pattern layer21aand the second pattern layer31amay generate different colors under the action of the active substance. In another example, the pattern layer may alternatively present different patterns, and the pattern layer may alternatively be made of another material. For example, the pattern layer is made of the starch-iodine inclusion complex in the foregoing examples.

When the active substance in the oral cavity has not entered the encapsulation layer40a, color presentation is not observed on a side of an outer surface1011aof the dental appliance body101a.

When the active substance in the oral cavity enters the encapsulation layer40a, the active substance first comes into contact with the first pattern layer21a, and the first pattern layer21apresents a first color, until the first color fills the first pattern layer21a, that is, the first color fills an inner circle. This case may indicate that the dental appliance100ahas been worn to a first time node.

Then, the active substance penetrates into the second pattern layer31a, and the second pattern layer31apresents a second color, until the second color fills the second pattern layer31a, that is, the second color fills an outer circular ring, while the first pattern layer21astill maintains the first color. This case may indicate that the dental appliance100ahas been worn to a second time node.

For other descriptions of the dental appliance100ain the second specific example, reference may be made to descriptions the foregoing or the following specific examples, and details are not described again herein.

Refer toFIG.16andFIG.17, which are schematic diagrams of a dental appliance100baccording to a third specific example.

In the third specific example, a first indicator20bis located on a side of a second indicator30baway from teeth.

The first indicator20bfurther includes a first reaction layer22bfor blocking the first pattern layer21b, the second indicator30bfurther includes a second reaction layer32bfor blocking the second pattern layer31b, and an active substance controls the first reaction layer22band the second reaction layer32bto sequentially become transparent and sequentially expose the first pattern layer21band the second pattern layer31b.

In this example, in a direction Y from being close to a cavity S to being away from the cavity S, the second pattern layer31b, the second reaction layer32b, the first pattern layer21b, and the first reaction layer22bare sequentially stacked and connected to each other.

An encapsulation layer40bencapsulates all of the second pattern layer31b, the second reaction layer32b, the first pattern layer21b, and the first reaction layer22b.

The first reaction layer22bblocks the first pattern layer21b, and the second reaction layer32bblocks the second pattern layer31b. This example is an example in which the size of the first reaction layer22bis the same as that of the first pattern layer21band the size of the second reaction layer32bis the same as that of the second pattern layer31b.

Cross-sections of both the first pattern layer21band the second pattern layer31bare circular, the first pattern layer21band the second pattern layer31bare concentrically circular, and the size of the second pattern layer31bis greater than the size of the first pattern layer21b. In this case, an outer contour of the second pattern layer31bis located on an outer side of an outer contour of the first pattern layer21b.

In this example, the first reaction layer22band the second reaction layer32bare made of a material becoming transparent after coming into contact with water, and the first pattern layer21band the second pattern layer31bhave specific colors. For example, the first pattern layer21bhas a first color and the second pattern layer31bhas a second color. For details, reference may be made to the first embodiment.

When the active substance in the oral cavity has not entered the encapsulation layer40b, color presentation is not observed on a side of an outer surface1011bof a dental appliance body101b.

When the active substance in the oral cavity enters the encapsulation layer40b, the active substance first comes into contact with the first reaction layer22b, and the first reaction layer22bgradually becomes transparent to expose the first pattern layer21b, that is, the first color at the first pattern layer21bmay be seen in an inner circle. This case may indicate that the dental appliance100bhas been worn to a first time node.

Then, the active substance penetrates into the second reaction layer32b, and the second reaction layer32bgradually becomes transparent to expose the second pattern layer31b, that is, the second color at the second pattern layer31bmay be seen in an outer circular ring, while the first pattern layer21bstill maintains the first color. This case may indicate that the dental appliance100bhas been worn to a second time node.

In another example, the first reaction layer22band the second reaction layer32bare configured to become transparent when the adsorbed active substance reaches a saturated state.

The first reaction layer22bis used as an example. When the active substance adsorbed by the first reaction layer22bhas not reached the saturated state, the first reaction layer22bdoes not become transparent, or the first reaction layer22bhas not become completely transparent, and the active substance has not penetrated into the first pattern layer21b: or when the active substance adsorbed by the first reaction layer22breaches the saturated state, the first reaction layer22bis completely transparent, and then the active substance penetrates into the first pattern layer21b. For descriptions of the second reaction layer32b, reference may be made to the first reaction layer22b, and details are not described again herein.

In addition, the first pattern layer21band the second pattern layer31bmay be configured to present patterns under the action of the active substance.

The first pattern layer21bis used as an example. When the active substance adsorbed by the first reaction layer22breaches the saturated state, the active substance penetrates into the first pattern layer21bto enable the first pattern layer21bto present a pattern. For example, the first pattern layer21bchanges color, or presents a hidden pattern. For descriptions of the second pattern layer31b, reference may be made to the first pattern layer21b, and details are not described again herein.

For other descriptions of the dental appliance100bin the third specific example, reference may be made to descriptions the foregoing or the following specific examples, and details are not described again herein.

Refer toFIG.18andFIG.19, which are schematic diagrams of a dental appliance100caccording to a fourth specific example.

In the fourth specific example, a first indicator20cis located on a side of a second indicator30caway from teeth.

The first indicator20cincludes a first pattern layer21c, a first reaction layer22cfor blocking the first pattern layer21c, and a first adsorption layer23cconnected to the first reaction layer22c.

The second indicator30cincludes a second pattern layer31c, a second reaction layer32cfor blocking the second pattern layer31c, and a second adsorption layer33cconnected to the second reaction layer32c.

When an active substance adsorbed by the first adsorption layer23creaches a saturated state, the active substance penetrates into the first reaction layer22c, and the first reaction layer22cbecomes transparent to expose the first pattern layer21c. When an active substance adsorbed by the second adsorption layer33creaches a saturated state, the active substance penetrates into the second reaction layer32c, and the second reaction layer32cbecomes transparent to expose the second pattern layer31c.

In this example, in a direction Y from being close to a cavity S to being away from the cavity S, the second pattern layer31c, the second reaction layer32c, the second adsorption layer33c, the first pattern layer21c, the first reaction layer22c, and the first adsorption layer23care sequentially stacked and connected to each other.

An encapsulation layer40cencapsulates all of the second pattern layer31c, the second reaction layer32c, the second adsorption layer33c, the first pattern layer21c, the first reaction layer22c, and the first adsorption layer23c, and the encapsulation layer40cis located between the first adsorption layer23cand an oral cavity to isolate the first reaction layer22cfrom the oral cavity:

In this example, both the first adsorption layer23cand the second adsorption layer33care transparent layers. Cross-sections of both the first pattern layer21cand the second pattern layer31care circular, the first pattern layer21cand the second pattern layer31care concentrically circular, and the size of the second pattern layer31cis greater than the size of the first pattern layer21c. In this case, an outer contour of the second pattern layer31cis located on an outer side of an outer contour of the first pattern layer21c.

In this example, the first reaction layer22cand the second reaction layer32care made of a material becoming transparent after coming into contact with water, and the first pattern layer21cand the second pattern layer31chave specific colors. For example, the first pattern layer21chas a first color and the second pattern layer31chas a second color. For details, reference may be made to the first embodiment.

When the active substance in the oral cavity has not entered the encapsulation layer40c, color presentation is not observed on a side of an outer surface1011cof a dental appliance body101c.

When the active substance in the oral cavity enters the encapsulation layer40c, the active substance first comes into contact with the first adsorption layer23c. When the first adsorption layer23creaches the saturated state, the active substance penetrates into the first reaction layer22c, and the first reaction layer22cgradually becomes transparent to expose the first pattern layer21c, that is, the first color at the first pattern layer21cmay be seen in an inner circle. This case may indicate that the dental appliance100chas been worn to a first time node.

Then, the active substance penetrates into the second adsorption layer33c. When the second adsorption layer33creaches the saturated state, the active substance penetrates into the second reaction layer32c, and the second reaction layer32cgradually becomes transparent to expose the second pattern layer31c, that is, the second color at the second pattern layer31cmay be seen in an outer circular ring, while the first pattern layer21cstill maintains the first color. This case may indicate that the dental appliance100chas been worn to a second time node.

For other descriptions of the dental appliance100cin the fourth specific example, reference may be made to descriptions the foregoing or the following specific examples, and details are not described again herein.

Refer toFIG.20, which is a schematic diagram of a dental appliance100daccording to a fifth specific example.

In the fifth specific example, a first indicator20dand a second indicator30dare arranged side by side in a teeth arrangement direction X, that is, an arrangement direction of the first indicator20dand the second indicator30dis parallel to an outer surface1011dof a dental appliance body101d.

The first indicator20dincludes only a first pattern layer21d, the second indicator30dincludes only a second pattern layer31d, and the first pattern layer21dis connected to the second pattern layer31d.

An encapsulation layer40dencapsulates both the first pattern layer21dand the second pattern layer31d, the encapsulation layer40dis provided with a through-hole41dfor connecting an oral cavity to the first pattern layer21d, and an opening direction of the through-hole41dis parallel to the outer surface1011dof the dental appliance body101d.

In this example, the first pattern layer21disolates a passage through which the active substance comes into contact with the second pattern layer31d, and description is made using an example in which the first pattern layer21dand the second pattern layer31dinclude different starch-iodine inclusion complexes. In another example, the pattern layer may be made of another material.

The first pattern layer21dis made of a dextrin-iodine inclusion complex, and when the first pattern layer21dpresents no pattern, the first pattern layer21dpresents a red color.

The second pattern layer31dis made of an amylopectin-iodine inclusion complex, and when the second pattern layer31dpresents no pattern, the second pattern layer31dpresents a purplish red color.

When the saliva in the oral cavity does not enter the encapsulation layer40d, the red color presented by the first pattern layer21dand the purplish red color presented by the second pattern layer31dmay be observed simultaneously on a side of the outer surface1011dof the dental appliance body101d, and a red area and a purplish red area are arranged in a straight line.

When the saliva in the oral cavity enters the encapsulation layer40d, the saliva first comes into contact with the first pattern layer21d, the first pattern layer21dhas the red color gradually fading, until only the purplish red color presented by the second pattern layer32dmay be observed. This case may indicate that the dental appliance100dhas been worn to a first time node.

Then, the saliva penetrates into the second pattern layer31d, the purplish red color of the second pattern layer31dgradually fades, until completely fades. This case may indicate that the dental appliance100dhas been worn to a second time node.

For other descriptions of the dental appliance100din the fifth specific example, reference may be made to descriptions the foregoing or the following specific examples, and details are not described again herein.

It should be noted that the indicator in the second embodiment may alternatively be another structure in the first embodiment, and is not limited to the foregoing descriptions.

Refer toFIG.21andFIG.22, which are schematic diagrams of an indicator60and a dental appliance100according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

In the third embodiment, the indicator60includes a pattern layer61and a scale70, and the pattern layer61generates a changed area L under the action of an active substance in an oral cavity.

The scale70is used for indicating location information of the changed area L.

Assuming that the pattern layer61forms an observation area N, when the dental appliance100is worn in the oral cavity, the pattern layer61is changed to enable the observation area N to include the changed area L and an unchanged area M, and the changed area L is, for example, a color changing area or a fading area.

As the wearing time of the dental appliance100extends, a junction location A between the changed area L and the unchanged area M is changed, and the scale70is used for indicating location information of the junction location A, that is, the wearing time of the dental appliance100may be indicated by the scale70.

In other words, in this embodiment, by arranging the scale70used in collaboration with the pattern layer61, the wearing time of the dental appliance100may be indicated in real time.

In this embodiment, the indicator60) is mounted on an outer surface1011of the dental appliance body101, the pattern layer61changes color in a first direction X and generates the changed area L, and the first direction X is parallel to the outer surface1011, so that it is convenient to observe and indicate the location information of the changed area L.

It should be noted that “the pattern layer61changes color in the first direction X” means that the observed pattern layer61changes color in the first direction X, an actual penetration direction of the active substance in the oral cavity may be the first direction X or a direction perpendicular to the first direction X, for example, a direction from being away from a cavity S to being close to the cavity S (that is, an opposite direction of a direction Y).

In this embodiment, description is made using an example in which the first direction X is a teeth arrangement direction.

The scale70extends in the first direction X, and the scale has a mark71for indicating the junction location A between the changed area L and the unchanged area M. For the mark71. refer to an arrow area inFIG.21.

In the first direction X, a plurality of marks71are formed on the scale70, and the plurality of marks71are used for indicating a plurality of different wearing times.

For example, four marks71are sequentially formed on the scale70in the first direction X, and the four marks71sequentially indicate that wearing times are 3 days, 7 days, 14 days, and 28 days. In this way, the wearing time of the dental appliance100may be determined by observing a relationship between the marks71and the junction location A, and a wearing time indication process is simpler and more direct.

In addition, the scale70is connected to the pattern layer61and is located on a lateral side of the pattern layer61. In another example, the scale70may be located on the pattern layer61. that is, the scale70is located on a side of the pattern layer61away from the outer surface1011of the dental appliance body101. Certainly, in another embodiment, the scale70and the pattern layer61may alternatively be spaced apart on the outer surface1011of the dental appliance body101.

It can be understood that the scale70may alternatively be in another form, as long as it is ensured that the wearing time of the dental appliance100may be indicated.

In this embodiment, the indicator60further includes an encapsulation layer80for encapsulating at least the pattern layer61.

The encapsulation layer80may be made of a material for isolating the active substance, the encapsulation layer80is provided with a through-hole81for connecting the pattern layer61to the oral cavity, and the active substance in the oral cavity comes into contact with the pattern layer61through the through-hole81on the encapsulation layer80.

Alternatively, at least part of the encapsulation layer80is made of a material penetrable to the active substance, and the active substance in the oral cavity comes into contact with the pattern layer61through the material penetrable to the active substance. In this case, the encapsulation layer80may include no through-hole.

The scale70may be located outside or inside the encapsulation layer80. For other descriptions of the encapsulation layer80, reference may be made to the first embodiment, and details are not described again herein.

A plurality of specific examples of the dental appliance100having the indicator60in the third embodiment are introduced below:

In a first specific example, with reference toFIG.22, an indicator60includes only one pattern layer61, and description is made using an example in which the pattern layer61is a starch-iodine inclusion complex. The starch-iodine inclusion complexes gradually fade under the action of a saliva starch enzyme in saliva. In another example, the pattern layer may be made of another material.

An encapsulation layer80encapsulates the pattern layer61, and an opening direction of a through-hole81on the encapsulation layer80is a first direction X.

The pattern layer61is made of a dextrin-iodine inclusion complex, and when the pattern layer61presents no pattern, the pattern layer61presents a red color.

When the saliva in the oral cavity does not enter the encapsulation layer80, it may be observed on a side of the outer surface1011of the dental appliance body101that an entire observation area N formed at the pattern layer61is all in a red color.

When the saliva in the oral cavity enters the encapsulation layer80, the saliva comes into contact with the pattern layer61, and the red color of the pattern layer61gradually fades. An area whose color fades is a changed area L, an area whose color does not fade is an unchanged area M, and a junction location A is formed between the changed area L and the unchanged area M. In this case, location information of the junction location A may be read according to a mark71on a scale70, and the location information may indicate the wearing time of the dental appliance100.

Refer toFIG.23, which is a schematic diagram of a dental appliance100aaccording to a second specific example. For ease of description, the same or similar reference numeral is used in this example for a structure the same as or similar to that in the first specific example, similarly hereinafter.

In the second specific example, a pattern layer of an indicator60aincludes a first pattern layer61aand a second pattern layer62athat are connected to each other. description is made using an example in which each of the first pattern layer61aand the second pattern layer62ais a starch-iodine inclusion complex. In another example, the pattern layer may be made of another material.

An encapsulation layer80aencapsulates the first pattern layer61aand the second pattern layer62a, and an opening direction of a through-hole81aon the encapsulation layer80ais a first direction X.

The first pattern layer61ais made of a dextrin-iodine inclusion complex, and when the pattern layer61apresents no pattern, the pattern layer61apresents a red color.

The second pattern layer62ais made of an amylopectin-iodine inclusion complex, and when the second pattern layer62apresents no pattern, the second pattern layer62apresents a purplish red color.

When the saliva in the oral cavity does not enter the encapsulation layer80a, the red color presented by the first pattern layer61aand the purplish red color presented by the second pattern layer62amay be observed simultaneously on a side of the outer surface1011aof the dental appliance body101a, and an entire observation area N is a red area and a purplish red area arranged in a straight line.

When the saliva in the oral cavity enters the encapsulation layer80a, the saliva penetrates in the first direction X and sequentially comes into contact with the first pattern layer61aand the second pattern layer62a. In the entire observation area N, an area whose color fades is a changed area L, an area whose color does not fade is an unchanged area M, and a junction location A is formed between the changed area L and the unchanged area M. In this case, location information of the junction location A may be read according to a mark71aon a scale70a, and the location information may indicate the wearing time of the dental appliance100a.

Because there are two pattern layers in different colors, color changes of the pattern layers also have a specific indication effect on the wearing time, the wearing time may be indicated through both the color changes and readings of the scale70ain this example, and the indication effect is better.

For other descriptions of the dental appliance100ain the second specific example, reference may be made to descriptions the foregoing or the following specific examples, and details are not described again herein.

Refer toFIG.24andFIG.25, which are schematic diagrams of a dental appliance100baccording to a third specific example.

In the third specific example, an indicator60bincludes only one pattern layer61b, description is made using an example in which the pattern layer61bis a starch-iodine inclusion complex, and the cross-section of the pattern layer61bis circular. In another example, the pattern layer61bmay be made of another material.

An encapsulation layer80bencapsulates the pattern layer61b, and an opening direction of a through-hole81bon the encapsulation layer80bis a direction Y from being close to a cavity S to being away from the cavity S. In addition, the through-hole81bis arranged corresponding to a center C of the pattern layer61b. In this case, saliva first comes into contact with the center C of the pattern layer61b.

The pattern layer61bis made of a dextrin-iodine inclusion complex, and when the pattern layer61bpresents no pattern, the pattern layer61bpresents a red color.

When the saliva in the oral cavity does not enter the encapsulation layer80b, it may be observed on a side of the outer surface1011bof the dental appliance body101bthat an entire observation area N formed at the pattern layer61bis all in a red color, and the observation area N is circular.

When the saliva in the oral cavity enters the encapsulation layer80b, the saliva comes into contact with the center C of the pattern layer61b, and the red color presented by the pattern layer61bgradually fades outward radially from the center C. An area whose color fades is a changed area L, an area whose color does not fade is an unchanged area M, and a junction location A is formed between the changed area L and the unchanged area M. In this case, location information of the junction location A may be read according to a mark71bon a scale70b, and the location information may indicate the wearing time of the dental appliance100b.

For other descriptions of the dental appliance100bin the third specific example, reference may be made to descriptions the foregoing or the following specific examples, and details are not described again herein.

It should be noted that the indicator in the third embodiment may alternatively be another structure in the first or second embodiment, and is not limited to the foregoing descriptions.

In addition, cross reference may be made between embodiments to form new specific examples, and the new specific examples all fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

It should be understood that, although this specification is described according to each embodiment, each embodiment may not include only one independent technical solution. The description manner of this specification is merely for clarity. This specification should be considered as a whole by a person skilled in the art, and the technical solution in each embodiment may also be properly combined, to form other embodiments that can be understood by the person skilled in the art.

A series of detailed descriptions listed above are specific descriptions for only feasible embodiments of the present invention, and are not intended to limit the protection scope of the present invention. Any equivalent embodiment or change made without departing from the skill and spirit of the present invention should be included in the protection scope of the present invention.