CA1329500C - Orthodontic positioner and methods of making and using same - Google Patents
Orthodontic positioner and methods of making and using sameInfo
- Publication number
- CA1329500C CA1329500C CA000613204A CA613204A CA1329500C CA 1329500 C CA1329500 C CA 1329500C CA 000613204 A CA000613204 A CA 000613204A CA 613204 A CA613204 A CA 613204A CA 1329500 C CA1329500 C CA 1329500C
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- teeth
- coupling members
- positioner
- patient
- construction model
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Lifetime
Links
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61C—DENTISTRY; APPARATUS OR METHODS FOR ORAL OR DENTAL HYGIENE
- A61C7/00—Orthodontics, i.e. obtaining or maintaining the desired position of teeth, e.g. by straightening, evening, regulating, separating, or by correcting malocclusions
- A61C7/08—Mouthpiece-type retainers or positioners, e.g. for both the lower and upper arch
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61C—DENTISTRY; APPARATUS OR METHODS FOR ORAL OR DENTAL HYGIENE
- A61C7/00—Orthodontics, i.e. obtaining or maintaining the desired position of teeth, e.g. by straightening, evening, regulating, separating, or by correcting malocclusions
- A61C7/12—Brackets; Arch wires; Combinations thereof; Accessories therefor
- A61C7/14—Brackets; Fixing brackets to teeth
- A61C7/146—Positioning or placement of brackets; Tools therefor
Abstract
Abstract An orthodontic positioner appliance of elastomer base material is formed directly on the actual tooth attachments or coupling members during the fabrication process so as to assure accuracy of the appliance and its compliance with the exact shape and placement of the attachments or coupling members. There is provided a construction model of the patient's teeth in a desired or ideal orientation, coupling members are attached to the facial and/or lingual surfaces of the teeth in the construction model, and the positioner is formed by applying positioner material to the construction model and directly to the coupling members thereby providing an exact adaptation of the positioner material to the construction model including the coupling members and providing an exact fit between the positioner material and the coupling members so as to eliminate any void or space between the coupling members and the positioner material to assure maximum purchase on the teeth but yet be easily removed by the patient.
A first form of the positioner is formed by a hand lay-up or other appropriate technique providing a positioner body in the form of an elongated strip of silicone elastomer material having a length determined by the location of the coupling members and having a width initiating near the gingival line and terminating near the patient's opposing dental arch to avoid interference in occlusion, the body having a surface facing the teeth and recesses in spaced relation along the strip for snap fitting onto the coupling members, the positioner urging the patient's teeth to an exact fit between the recesses and the coupling members so as to eliminate any void or space between the coupling members and the recesses. A second form of the positioner is formed by molding such an injection molding in a manner providing a positioner body of silicone elastomer material having an arcuate shape including a trough for receiving teeth of the dental arch, the trough having walls including surfaces having recesses in spaced relation along the trough for fitting onto the coupling members, the positioner urging the patient's teeth to an exact fit between the recesses and the coupling members so as to eliminate any void or space between the coupling members and the recesses to assure maximum purchase on the teeth but yet be easily removed by the patient. In orthodontic treatment, coupling members are attached to the surfaces of the patient's teeth in a predetermined manner, only the first positioner is installed on the patient's teeth during a portion of the day when the teeth are most likely to be visible to others, and only the second positioner is installed on the patient's teeth during the remaining portion of the day when the teeth are least likely to be visible to others. The coupling members are attached to the patient's teeth using a transfer matrix formed from the construction model with coupling members attached thereto.
A first form of the positioner is formed by a hand lay-up or other appropriate technique providing a positioner body in the form of an elongated strip of silicone elastomer material having a length determined by the location of the coupling members and having a width initiating near the gingival line and terminating near the patient's opposing dental arch to avoid interference in occlusion, the body having a surface facing the teeth and recesses in spaced relation along the strip for snap fitting onto the coupling members, the positioner urging the patient's teeth to an exact fit between the recesses and the coupling members so as to eliminate any void or space between the coupling members and the recesses. A second form of the positioner is formed by molding such an injection molding in a manner providing a positioner body of silicone elastomer material having an arcuate shape including a trough for receiving teeth of the dental arch, the trough having walls including surfaces having recesses in spaced relation along the trough for fitting onto the coupling members, the positioner urging the patient's teeth to an exact fit between the recesses and the coupling members so as to eliminate any void or space between the coupling members and the recesses to assure maximum purchase on the teeth but yet be easily removed by the patient. In orthodontic treatment, coupling members are attached to the surfaces of the patient's teeth in a predetermined manner, only the first positioner is installed on the patient's teeth during a portion of the day when the teeth are most likely to be visible to others, and only the second positioner is installed on the patient's teeth during the remaining portion of the day when the teeth are least likely to be visible to others. The coupling members are attached to the patient's teeth using a transfer matrix formed from the construction model with coupling members attached thereto.
Description
-` 1329~00 Orthodontic Positioner And Methods Of Making And Using Same 8ackground Of The Invention This invention relates to the art of orthodontic appliances and methods, and more particularly to a new and improved orthodontic positioner and methods of making and using the same.
Elastic positioners in combination with attachments to the patient's teeth are employed in orthodontic ~reatments for achieving controlled tooth movement to a pre-determined position. In providing such appliances and treatments, it is important to move teeth to an ideal predetermined position with gentle controlled forces, maintain a more hygenic environ~ent than that associated with conventional bracket/wire systems and to accomplish the foregolng in a ~anner acceptable to patients in both comfort and appearance. In addition, it has heen found advantageous according to the present invention to fabricate the elastic positioner in a manner assuring accuracy of the appliance and complying with the exact shape and placement of the attachments or coupling members. This assures maximum purchase on the teeth but yet allows easy removal of the appliance by the patient. Furthermore, it has been determined beneficial according to the present invention to provide a positioner system and procedure which effectively results in substantially continuous application of forces to the patientSs teeth in a manner acceptable to the patient and with the resulting advantage of relatively shorter overall length of treatment time.
. ~ .
.
.
. .
- .
- ~ .
~2~500 Summary Of The Invention It is, therefore, a primary object of the present invention to provide a new and improved orthodontic positioner appliance and methods of making and using the same.
It is a more particular object of this invention to provide such an appliance and method of making the same resulting in improved accuracy and compliance with the exact shape and placement of-tooth attachments or coupling members.
It is a further object of this invention to provide such an appliance and method of making the same which assures maximum purchase of the appliance on the patient's teeth and yet allows easy removal therefrom.
It is a further object of this invention to provide such an appliance and method of using the same having enhanced patient acceptability in comfort and appearance.
It is a more particular object of this invention to provide such an appliance and method of using the same ~herein the appliance and placement thereof on the patient's teeth are in two forms corresponding to portions of the day when the patient's mouth and teeth are most likely and least likely, respectively,~
to be visible to others.
It is a further object of this invention to provide such an appliance and method of using the same which effectively results in substantially continuous application of forces to the patient's teeth so as to reduce the overall length of treatment time.
It is a more particular object of this invention to provide such a method which is readily adaptable to placing attachments or coupling members on the patient's teeth both simultaneously and individually.
The present invention provides an orthodontic positioner appliance of elastomer base material which is formed directly on ,, j " ., .
1329~00 the actual tooth attachments or coupling members during the fabrication process so as Lo assure accuracy of ~he appliance and its compliance with the exact shape and placement of the attachments or coupling members. In the method of the present invention there is provided a construction model of the patient's teeth in a desired or ideal orientation, coupling members are attached to the facial and/or lingual surfaces of the teeth in the construction model, and the positioner is formed by applying positioner material to the construction model and directly to the coupling members thereby providing an exact adaptation of the positioner material to the construction model including the coupling members and providing an exact fit between the positioner material and the coupling members so as to eliminate any void or space between the coupling members and the positioner material to assure maximum purchase on the teeth but yet be easily removed by the patient. In a ~irst aspect thereof, the positioner is formed by a hand lay-up or other appropriate technique in a manner providing a positioner body in the form of an elongated strip of silicone elasto~er material having a length determined by the location of the coupling members and having a width initiating near the gingival line and terminating near the patient's opposing dental arch to avoid interference in occlusion, the body having a surface facing the teeth and recesses in spaced relation along the strip for snap fitting onto the coupling members, the positioner urging the patient's teeth to an exact fit between the recesses and the coupling members so as to eliminate any void or space between the coupling members and the recesses. In a second aspect thereof the positioner is formed by molding such as injection molding in a manner providing a positioner body of silicone elastomer material having an arcuate shape including a trough for receiving teeth of the dental arch, the trough having walls including surfaces having recesses in spaced relation along the trough for fittLng onto the coupling members, the posi~ioner urging the patient's teeth to ~ ~ ' :, ....
. .
:
an exact fit between the recesses and the coupling members so as to eliminate any void or space between the coupling members and the recesses to assure maximum purchase on the teeth but yet be easily removed by the patient. The system is used, according to the present invention, by attaching coupling members to the surfaces of the patient's teeth in a predetermined manner, with the first positioner being installed on the patient's teeth during a portion of the day when the teeth are most likely to be visible to others, and with the second positioner being installed on the patient's teeth during the remaining portion of the day when the teeth are least likely to be visible to others. The coupling members are attached to the patient's teeth using a transfer matrix formed from the construction model with coupling members attached thereto.
The foregoing and additional advantages and characterizing features of the present invention will become clearly apparent upon a reading of the ensuing detailed description together with the included drawing wherein:
Brief Description of the Drawina Fiqures Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an original model of a patient's dental arch wherein the teeth therein are positioned in the actual and maloccluded orientation; !
Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a construction model of the patient's dental arch shown in the model of Fig. 1 but wherein the teeth are positioned in a desired orientation and wherein coupling members are attached to the surfaces of the teeth in accordance with the method of the present invention;
Fig. 3 is a fragmentar~ enlarged perspective view of the construction model Fig. 2 illustrating a positioner formed thereon in accordance with one aspect of the present invention;
IN-JJ
A
';
~`` 1329~00 Fig. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view of the construction model of Figs. 2 and 3 and illustrating one stage in the method of forming a transfer matrix according to the present invention;
Fig. 5 is a top perspective view of the model of Fig. 4 and illustrating another stage in the method of forming the transfer matrix;
Fig. 6 is a top perspective view of a transfer matrix according to the present invention;
Fig. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of the transfer matrix of Fig. 6;
Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a half positioner according to another aspect of the present invention; and Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a full positioner accordiny to another aspect of the present invention.
Detailed Description Of The Illustrated Embodiments In previous orthodontic positioners, elastic forces are applied to the teeth in order to draw teeth to a predetermined position. To accomplish the goal of achieving controlled tooth ~ovement to a predetermined position, in the method of the _ present invention the model teeth are repositioned in wax, utilizing accepted standards of occulsion or special instructions provided by the dentist as a guide. This will allow the practitioner to react to the accepted standards of occ~sion and individualize tooth movement based on personal preferences. In order to control tooth movement, it is necessary to establish an attachMent or a purchase to the teeth, so that the elastic appliance will snap on to the teeth gently drawing them to the predetermined position of the wax setup. In order to accomplish this, the present invention utilizes mushroom shaped lingual buttons which produce a snap on effect to the teeth. To assure the accuracy of the appliance and to comply ~ith the exact shape ` ~ :
: , .
.:
~3~9~
and placement of the buttons, in accordance with the present invention, the elastic appliances are fabricated directly to an actual lingual button which is placed on either the lingual or facial surface, not an impression of the button. Because of the ability of the elastomeric material to snap on to the button that is attached to the tooth, the elastic material needs to be very flexible with excellent rebound and gentle forces. Thus, the elastomer used according to the present invention has been selected to be a silicone with two different durometers, about 40 for extensive movement and about 65 for finishing. The main appliance encompasses both lower and upper arches and is referred to as the nighttime appliance. Additionally, a daytime appliance is formed with a strip of elastomer attached to the buttons and extending as desired or prescribed, for example from molar to molar on the facial surface. This daytime appliance is fabricated to the ideal setup and is attached to the individual buttons and teeth; thus, it applies forces to the teeth and additionally eliminates any irritation that may occur by the buttons rubbing on the mucosa (inner lips and cheeks).
The objective with these appliances (daytime and nighttime) according to the present invention is that they may be used to move teeth to an ideal predetermined position with gentle controlled forces, maintaining a more hygienic environment than conventional bracket/wire systems and being more acceptable to patients.
Because identical attachments are being placed to the duplicate of the wax setup for fabrication of the appliances there is need to construct a transfer matrix that will transfer the position of the buttons from the ideally repositioned teeth to the malaligned teeth and then to the patient. This is accomplished by using silicone impression putty to form a transfer tray. The transfer tray is then sectioned to individual teeth, buttons are inserted into the sockets, and then the buttons placed on each tooth of the malaligned original IN:JJ
, ' .
~ 329~
models. To form a full arch transfer matrix, the i~dividualized sections are placed on each tooth of the malaligned arches and a thin overlay of thermoplastic material is formed over the sections to form a matrix to transfer the buttons to the patient. The transfer matrix can be cut into two or three parts by the practitioner for ease of applying buttons to the patient's teeth.
Referring now to Figs. l and 2, in accordance with the present invention there is provided a construction model of the patient's teeth and a portion of the gum tissue in the dental arch wherein the teeth therein are positioned in a desired orientation. The construction model is formed in the following manner. Initially impressions are taken in the patient's mouth of the teeth located in the upper and lower dental arches, and die stone models, also designated original models, are formed from these impressions. The Eoregoing technique is well known in the ~rt so that a detailed description thereof is believed to be unnecessary. Briefly, by way of example, according to the alginate impression technique, an amount of uncured alginate composition is introduced into an impression tray which then is inserted in the patient's mouth with the alginate composition appropriately seated onto the teeth. The uncured alginate composition being relatively liquid, flows around the teeth to effectively capture the detail of the shape and contour of the teeth. The alginate composition then is allowed to set whereupon the impression is removed from the mouth. The foregoing technique is given by way of e~ample, and other known impression techniques can be employed.
Thereafter, a die stone composition in an uncured condition is provided and placed in the impression to form a hard die stone facsimile of the patient's dental arch and adjacent mouth structure which subsequently and in a hardened condition is removed from the impression.
The nature of the die stone composition and method of making the die stone facsimile are well known to those IN-JJ
, ~,: ' ' '' ' ~ .
$ ~ ~
-7a-skilled in the art so that the detailed description is believed to be unnecessary. Two die stone models IN:JJ
, ~ .
, , . " ~ .
-` :1329~
are formed, one serving as the original model for use in the method and the other serving as a reference. Thus, an original model of a patient's dental arch, for example the lower arch, is designated 10 in Fig. 1 and includes a base 12, gum-tissue simulating portion 14 a'nd teeth simulating portion 16. In the illustrative model 10, the teeth elements designated 18, 19, 20 and 21 are maloccluded with an undesired space 22 located between 20 and 21. In order to correct the malocclusion and reduce or eliminate space 22 by virtue of the orthodontic treatment, ~he patient's teeth represented by elements 18, 19 and 20 are to be rotated slightly clockwise about the respective axes of rotation and the tooth represented by element 21 is to be rotated slightly counterclockwise about its axis of rotation. By way of background, a more detailed description of taking impressions from the patient's ~outh and of making die stone original models may be found in United States Patent ~o. 4,856,991 issued August 15, 1991 entitled "Orthodontic Finishing Positioner and Method Of Construction" and assigned to the assignee of the present invention.
The original model 10 of Fig. 1 is used to for~ a construction model, designated 26 in Fi~. 2, in the following manner. Original models of the patient's upper and lower dental arches are mounted in a dental articulator by means of a face-bow transfer technique. In particular, the upper and lower original die stone models are operatively positioned within a dental articulator. To ensure the proper index or bite relationship between the modelsg adjustments are made to the articulator in accordance with a recorded centric relation or repositioning wax bite and a'maxillary cast obtained from the patient's orthodontist and in accordance with standard face bow techniques. The method of obtaining wax bites and maxillary casts from the patient and subsequently utilizing the same to operatively position the models in an articulator are well known to those skilled in the art so that a detailed description thereof is believed to be unnecessary.
` ~' ' ' ' , :
.
.
-9 l3~a~
The next step in forming the construction model is repositioning the teeth of the original model to a desired or ideal position or orientation. In particular, the tooth simulating elements of each original model in the articulator which are to be repositioned are each separately cut or sawed from the remainder of the model. In the exemplary or original model of Fig. 1, tooth elements 18, 19, 20 and 21 will be separated from model 10. The tooth simulating elements are each cut from the remainder of the model in the dental interproximal area thereof and shaped in the root area thereof so that each tooth-simulating element has a V~shaped or wedge-like base. Once each tooth element is cut and removed from the model, the base of the tooth element can be further shaped using a cutting device on a lathe. Next, wax which has been warmed to a flowable condition is placed in the region of the model from which the tooth element is removed, the tooth elements are repositioned in this original location on the model with the bases thereof held in the ~ax so that once the wax is cooled the teeth elements are secured therein. The wax upon setting simulates the gum tissue area in the region of the bases of the teeth elements.
Finally, the particular ones of the teeth elements in either or both models which are held in wax are reset to a desired or ideal orientation in accordance with a predeterminded or prescribed arrangement. In particular, the portion of the wax which surrounds a tooth simulating element desired to be moved is softened, such as by brush-flaming ~he wax with an alcohol torch, and then the tooth element is manually moved to a desired orientation and carefully released ~o avoid any shifting or movement from that orientation. Each tooth simulating element which is to be repositioned to a desired orientation is moved individually in the foregoing manner. In accordance with a preferred mode of the present invention, the repositioning of the teeth elements in wax utilizes the zero-based occ~lsion as a guide. Zero-based occ~ ion is one form of repositioning guide ' '" ~ . .
,, .
:
~329~0 based upon accepted standards which are well-known to those skilled in the art so that a detailed description is believed to be unnecessary. This is believed to-allow orthodontist to react to zero-based occlusion and individualized tooth movements based on their personal preferences. After repositioning of the teeth elements is completed, the gum simulating portion of each model can be built up and smoothed with wax as necessary to provide the models with the appearance of a healthy gum anatomy.
A positioner construction bite is taken by opening the articulator to move the proposed model surfaces about 7 millimeters apart and locking the incisal pin of the articulator.
Next, a thin sheet of wax is inserted between the occlusa~ arches and the articulator is closed to the incisal pin setting. The construction bite registers an opening or space between the upper and lower arches su~ficient to accommodate the thickness of one form of appliance and to allow for breathing holes in a ful~
positioner appliance which will be described in detail presently. The foregoing techniques of repositioning the model teeth elements in wax are well known to those skilled in the art so that a detailed description thereof is believed to be unnecessary. By way of background, a more detailed description thereof may be found in United States Patent ~o. 4,85~,991 issued August 15, 1991 entitled "Orthodontic Finishing Positioner And Method Of Construction" and assigned to the assignee of the present invention, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.
The wax-stone models from the articulator, with the particular teeth elements repositioned to the ideal or desired orientation, then are duplicated using an appropriate impression technique, such as the alginate impression technique previously described. Then a die stone model is formed using this impression which is the construction model designated 26 in Fig.
Elastic positioners in combination with attachments to the patient's teeth are employed in orthodontic ~reatments for achieving controlled tooth movement to a pre-determined position. In providing such appliances and treatments, it is important to move teeth to an ideal predetermined position with gentle controlled forces, maintain a more hygenic environ~ent than that associated with conventional bracket/wire systems and to accomplish the foregolng in a ~anner acceptable to patients in both comfort and appearance. In addition, it has heen found advantageous according to the present invention to fabricate the elastic positioner in a manner assuring accuracy of the appliance and complying with the exact shape and placement of the attachments or coupling members. This assures maximum purchase on the teeth but yet allows easy removal of the appliance by the patient. Furthermore, it has been determined beneficial according to the present invention to provide a positioner system and procedure which effectively results in substantially continuous application of forces to the patientSs teeth in a manner acceptable to the patient and with the resulting advantage of relatively shorter overall length of treatment time.
. ~ .
.
.
. .
- .
- ~ .
~2~500 Summary Of The Invention It is, therefore, a primary object of the present invention to provide a new and improved orthodontic positioner appliance and methods of making and using the same.
It is a more particular object of this invention to provide such an appliance and method of making the same resulting in improved accuracy and compliance with the exact shape and placement of-tooth attachments or coupling members.
It is a further object of this invention to provide such an appliance and method of making the same which assures maximum purchase of the appliance on the patient's teeth and yet allows easy removal therefrom.
It is a further object of this invention to provide such an appliance and method of using the same having enhanced patient acceptability in comfort and appearance.
It is a more particular object of this invention to provide such an appliance and method of using the same ~herein the appliance and placement thereof on the patient's teeth are in two forms corresponding to portions of the day when the patient's mouth and teeth are most likely and least likely, respectively,~
to be visible to others.
It is a further object of this invention to provide such an appliance and method of using the same which effectively results in substantially continuous application of forces to the patient's teeth so as to reduce the overall length of treatment time.
It is a more particular object of this invention to provide such a method which is readily adaptable to placing attachments or coupling members on the patient's teeth both simultaneously and individually.
The present invention provides an orthodontic positioner appliance of elastomer base material which is formed directly on ,, j " ., .
1329~00 the actual tooth attachments or coupling members during the fabrication process so as Lo assure accuracy of ~he appliance and its compliance with the exact shape and placement of the attachments or coupling members. In the method of the present invention there is provided a construction model of the patient's teeth in a desired or ideal orientation, coupling members are attached to the facial and/or lingual surfaces of the teeth in the construction model, and the positioner is formed by applying positioner material to the construction model and directly to the coupling members thereby providing an exact adaptation of the positioner material to the construction model including the coupling members and providing an exact fit between the positioner material and the coupling members so as to eliminate any void or space between the coupling members and the positioner material to assure maximum purchase on the teeth but yet be easily removed by the patient. In a ~irst aspect thereof, the positioner is formed by a hand lay-up or other appropriate technique in a manner providing a positioner body in the form of an elongated strip of silicone elasto~er material having a length determined by the location of the coupling members and having a width initiating near the gingival line and terminating near the patient's opposing dental arch to avoid interference in occlusion, the body having a surface facing the teeth and recesses in spaced relation along the strip for snap fitting onto the coupling members, the positioner urging the patient's teeth to an exact fit between the recesses and the coupling members so as to eliminate any void or space between the coupling members and the recesses. In a second aspect thereof the positioner is formed by molding such as injection molding in a manner providing a positioner body of silicone elastomer material having an arcuate shape including a trough for receiving teeth of the dental arch, the trough having walls including surfaces having recesses in spaced relation along the trough for fittLng onto the coupling members, the posi~ioner urging the patient's teeth to ~ ~ ' :, ....
. .
:
an exact fit between the recesses and the coupling members so as to eliminate any void or space between the coupling members and the recesses to assure maximum purchase on the teeth but yet be easily removed by the patient. The system is used, according to the present invention, by attaching coupling members to the surfaces of the patient's teeth in a predetermined manner, with the first positioner being installed on the patient's teeth during a portion of the day when the teeth are most likely to be visible to others, and with the second positioner being installed on the patient's teeth during the remaining portion of the day when the teeth are least likely to be visible to others. The coupling members are attached to the patient's teeth using a transfer matrix formed from the construction model with coupling members attached thereto.
The foregoing and additional advantages and characterizing features of the present invention will become clearly apparent upon a reading of the ensuing detailed description together with the included drawing wherein:
Brief Description of the Drawina Fiqures Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an original model of a patient's dental arch wherein the teeth therein are positioned in the actual and maloccluded orientation; !
Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a construction model of the patient's dental arch shown in the model of Fig. 1 but wherein the teeth are positioned in a desired orientation and wherein coupling members are attached to the surfaces of the teeth in accordance with the method of the present invention;
Fig. 3 is a fragmentar~ enlarged perspective view of the construction model Fig. 2 illustrating a positioner formed thereon in accordance with one aspect of the present invention;
IN-JJ
A
';
~`` 1329~00 Fig. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view of the construction model of Figs. 2 and 3 and illustrating one stage in the method of forming a transfer matrix according to the present invention;
Fig. 5 is a top perspective view of the model of Fig. 4 and illustrating another stage in the method of forming the transfer matrix;
Fig. 6 is a top perspective view of a transfer matrix according to the present invention;
Fig. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of the transfer matrix of Fig. 6;
Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a half positioner according to another aspect of the present invention; and Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a full positioner accordiny to another aspect of the present invention.
Detailed Description Of The Illustrated Embodiments In previous orthodontic positioners, elastic forces are applied to the teeth in order to draw teeth to a predetermined position. To accomplish the goal of achieving controlled tooth ~ovement to a predetermined position, in the method of the _ present invention the model teeth are repositioned in wax, utilizing accepted standards of occulsion or special instructions provided by the dentist as a guide. This will allow the practitioner to react to the accepted standards of occ~sion and individualize tooth movement based on personal preferences. In order to control tooth movement, it is necessary to establish an attachMent or a purchase to the teeth, so that the elastic appliance will snap on to the teeth gently drawing them to the predetermined position of the wax setup. In order to accomplish this, the present invention utilizes mushroom shaped lingual buttons which produce a snap on effect to the teeth. To assure the accuracy of the appliance and to comply ~ith the exact shape ` ~ :
: , .
.:
~3~9~
and placement of the buttons, in accordance with the present invention, the elastic appliances are fabricated directly to an actual lingual button which is placed on either the lingual or facial surface, not an impression of the button. Because of the ability of the elastomeric material to snap on to the button that is attached to the tooth, the elastic material needs to be very flexible with excellent rebound and gentle forces. Thus, the elastomer used according to the present invention has been selected to be a silicone with two different durometers, about 40 for extensive movement and about 65 for finishing. The main appliance encompasses both lower and upper arches and is referred to as the nighttime appliance. Additionally, a daytime appliance is formed with a strip of elastomer attached to the buttons and extending as desired or prescribed, for example from molar to molar on the facial surface. This daytime appliance is fabricated to the ideal setup and is attached to the individual buttons and teeth; thus, it applies forces to the teeth and additionally eliminates any irritation that may occur by the buttons rubbing on the mucosa (inner lips and cheeks).
The objective with these appliances (daytime and nighttime) according to the present invention is that they may be used to move teeth to an ideal predetermined position with gentle controlled forces, maintaining a more hygienic environment than conventional bracket/wire systems and being more acceptable to patients.
Because identical attachments are being placed to the duplicate of the wax setup for fabrication of the appliances there is need to construct a transfer matrix that will transfer the position of the buttons from the ideally repositioned teeth to the malaligned teeth and then to the patient. This is accomplished by using silicone impression putty to form a transfer tray. The transfer tray is then sectioned to individual teeth, buttons are inserted into the sockets, and then the buttons placed on each tooth of the malaligned original IN:JJ
, ' .
~ 329~
models. To form a full arch transfer matrix, the i~dividualized sections are placed on each tooth of the malaligned arches and a thin overlay of thermoplastic material is formed over the sections to form a matrix to transfer the buttons to the patient. The transfer matrix can be cut into two or three parts by the practitioner for ease of applying buttons to the patient's teeth.
Referring now to Figs. l and 2, in accordance with the present invention there is provided a construction model of the patient's teeth and a portion of the gum tissue in the dental arch wherein the teeth therein are positioned in a desired orientation. The construction model is formed in the following manner. Initially impressions are taken in the patient's mouth of the teeth located in the upper and lower dental arches, and die stone models, also designated original models, are formed from these impressions. The Eoregoing technique is well known in the ~rt so that a detailed description thereof is believed to be unnecessary. Briefly, by way of example, according to the alginate impression technique, an amount of uncured alginate composition is introduced into an impression tray which then is inserted in the patient's mouth with the alginate composition appropriately seated onto the teeth. The uncured alginate composition being relatively liquid, flows around the teeth to effectively capture the detail of the shape and contour of the teeth. The alginate composition then is allowed to set whereupon the impression is removed from the mouth. The foregoing technique is given by way of e~ample, and other known impression techniques can be employed.
Thereafter, a die stone composition in an uncured condition is provided and placed in the impression to form a hard die stone facsimile of the patient's dental arch and adjacent mouth structure which subsequently and in a hardened condition is removed from the impression.
The nature of the die stone composition and method of making the die stone facsimile are well known to those IN-JJ
, ~,: ' ' '' ' ~ .
$ ~ ~
-7a-skilled in the art so that the detailed description is believed to be unnecessary. Two die stone models IN:JJ
, ~ .
, , . " ~ .
-` :1329~
are formed, one serving as the original model for use in the method and the other serving as a reference. Thus, an original model of a patient's dental arch, for example the lower arch, is designated 10 in Fig. 1 and includes a base 12, gum-tissue simulating portion 14 a'nd teeth simulating portion 16. In the illustrative model 10, the teeth elements designated 18, 19, 20 and 21 are maloccluded with an undesired space 22 located between 20 and 21. In order to correct the malocclusion and reduce or eliminate space 22 by virtue of the orthodontic treatment, ~he patient's teeth represented by elements 18, 19 and 20 are to be rotated slightly clockwise about the respective axes of rotation and the tooth represented by element 21 is to be rotated slightly counterclockwise about its axis of rotation. By way of background, a more detailed description of taking impressions from the patient's ~outh and of making die stone original models may be found in United States Patent ~o. 4,856,991 issued August 15, 1991 entitled "Orthodontic Finishing Positioner and Method Of Construction" and assigned to the assignee of the present invention.
The original model 10 of Fig. 1 is used to for~ a construction model, designated 26 in Fi~. 2, in the following manner. Original models of the patient's upper and lower dental arches are mounted in a dental articulator by means of a face-bow transfer technique. In particular, the upper and lower original die stone models are operatively positioned within a dental articulator. To ensure the proper index or bite relationship between the modelsg adjustments are made to the articulator in accordance with a recorded centric relation or repositioning wax bite and a'maxillary cast obtained from the patient's orthodontist and in accordance with standard face bow techniques. The method of obtaining wax bites and maxillary casts from the patient and subsequently utilizing the same to operatively position the models in an articulator are well known to those skilled in the art so that a detailed description thereof is believed to be unnecessary.
` ~' ' ' ' , :
.
.
-9 l3~a~
The next step in forming the construction model is repositioning the teeth of the original model to a desired or ideal position or orientation. In particular, the tooth simulating elements of each original model in the articulator which are to be repositioned are each separately cut or sawed from the remainder of the model. In the exemplary or original model of Fig. 1, tooth elements 18, 19, 20 and 21 will be separated from model 10. The tooth simulating elements are each cut from the remainder of the model in the dental interproximal area thereof and shaped in the root area thereof so that each tooth-simulating element has a V~shaped or wedge-like base. Once each tooth element is cut and removed from the model, the base of the tooth element can be further shaped using a cutting device on a lathe. Next, wax which has been warmed to a flowable condition is placed in the region of the model from which the tooth element is removed, the tooth elements are repositioned in this original location on the model with the bases thereof held in the ~ax so that once the wax is cooled the teeth elements are secured therein. The wax upon setting simulates the gum tissue area in the region of the bases of the teeth elements.
Finally, the particular ones of the teeth elements in either or both models which are held in wax are reset to a desired or ideal orientation in accordance with a predeterminded or prescribed arrangement. In particular, the portion of the wax which surrounds a tooth simulating element desired to be moved is softened, such as by brush-flaming ~he wax with an alcohol torch, and then the tooth element is manually moved to a desired orientation and carefully released ~o avoid any shifting or movement from that orientation. Each tooth simulating element which is to be repositioned to a desired orientation is moved individually in the foregoing manner. In accordance with a preferred mode of the present invention, the repositioning of the teeth elements in wax utilizes the zero-based occ~lsion as a guide. Zero-based occ~ ion is one form of repositioning guide ' '" ~ . .
,, .
:
~329~0 based upon accepted standards which are well-known to those skilled in the art so that a detailed description is believed to be unnecessary. This is believed to-allow orthodontist to react to zero-based occlusion and individualized tooth movements based on their personal preferences. After repositioning of the teeth elements is completed, the gum simulating portion of each model can be built up and smoothed with wax as necessary to provide the models with the appearance of a healthy gum anatomy.
A positioner construction bite is taken by opening the articulator to move the proposed model surfaces about 7 millimeters apart and locking the incisal pin of the articulator.
Next, a thin sheet of wax is inserted between the occlusa~ arches and the articulator is closed to the incisal pin setting. The construction bite registers an opening or space between the upper and lower arches su~ficient to accommodate the thickness of one form of appliance and to allow for breathing holes in a ful~
positioner appliance which will be described in detail presently. The foregoing techniques of repositioning the model teeth elements in wax are well known to those skilled in the art so that a detailed description thereof is believed to be unnecessary. By way of background, a more detailed description thereof may be found in United States Patent ~o. 4,85~,991 issued August 15, 1991 entitled "Orthodontic Finishing Positioner And Method Of Construction" and assigned to the assignee of the present invention, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.
The wax-stone models from the articulator, with the particular teeth elements repositioned to the ideal or desired orientation, then are duplicated using an appropriate impression technique, such as the alginate impression technique previously described. Then a die stone model is formed using this impression which is the construction model designated 26 in Fig.
2 wherein the teeth simulating elements are positioned in the desired or ideal orientation. In particular, model 26 has a base B
.
1329~00 30, gum tissue simulating portion 32 and teeth simulating portion ~4. In the illustrative model, the repositioned tooth elements are designated 18', 19', 20' and 21' which teeth elements are in the desired or ideal orientation.
The next step in the method of the present invention is attaching coupling members to the facial and/or lingual surfaces of the teeth in the construction model. As shown in Fig. 2, according to a preferred mode of the present invention, each of the coupling members generally designated 40 includes an undercut and is in the illustrative form of a mushroom shaped lingual but~on formed of plastic and having a color so as to blend visually with the patient's tee~h. In particular, each coupling member includes a generally circular base 42, a stem portion 44 of relatively smaller diameter extending from base 42 and a bulbous outer portion 46 at the end of stem 44 and spaced from the surface of the tooth to which the coupling members are attached. Stem 44 is generally cylindrical in shape and base 42 has a generally convex outer surface and a slightly concave opposite or end surface for conforming to the surface of the tooth to which it is attached. Depending upon the types of teeth to which the coupling member is attached, i.e. front teeth vs.
molars, the base surfaces can have different degrees of concavity. The coupling members 40 are glued to the corresponding teeth using a suitable adhesive, for example fast set cyanoacrylate type. Each coupling member has a longitudinal axis, and according to a preferred mode of the present invention each coupling member is positioned on the tooth with the longitudinal axis of the coupling member in substantial alignment or registry with the center of rotation or axis of rotation of the tooth. In particular, satisfactory results have been obtained when the longitudinal axis of the coupling member is located about one ~hird the distance between the gum line and the occulsal edge of the tooth and centrally of or midway between the vertical side edges of the tooth. The number of teeth to which , -12- ~329~00 individual coupling mem~ers 40 are attached is determined by the number of teeth to be repositioned, and in the illustration of Fig. 2 the coupling members 40 exten~ from the first molar on one side of the dental arch to the first molar on the opposite side.
Furthermore, although the coupling members 40 are attached to the facial surfaces of the teeth in the illustration of Fig. 2, coupling members also can be attached to the lingual surfaces of the teeth depending upon the nature of the orthodontic treatment.
The foregoing illustrative coupling members 40 are commercially available from Rocky Mountain Orthodontics under the designation Plastic Lingual Buttons A-39ûl. ûther forms of coupling members, attachments or brackets can be employed which include an undercut feature to provide a snap on effect.
In accordance with the present invention, a positioner is formed by applying positioner material to the construction model 26 and directly to the coupling members 40 thereby providing an exact adaptation of the positioner material to the construction model including the coupling members and providing an exact fit between the positioner material and the coupling members so as to eliminate the void or space between the coupling members and the positioner material. Thus, positioner material is applied directly to the actual coupling members or attachments 40, not to impressions thereof. Fig. 3 illustrates one form of positioner 50 according to the present invention. The positioner 50 illustrated in Fig. ~ is formed by performing a hand layup technique in a manner providing a positioner body in the form of an elongated strip having a length determined by the location of the coupling members or the number of teeth to be positioned and having a width initiating near the gingival line and terminating near the patient's opposing dental arch to avoid interference in occlusion, i.e. commensurate with the distance between the gum line and the occ~lsal/incisal edges of the teeth. In particular, there is provided a strip from a sheet of uncured hand lay-up form of silicone elastomer material. The length of the strip .
,--1329~0 between the ends, one being designated 52, is determined by thenumber of teeth to be repositioned or by the location of the coupling members. The width of the strip ideally is selected such that the lower edge 56 is about one millimeter spaced from the patient's gum line and the upper edge 58 is spaced about 2 millimeters from the occlusal edge of the patient's teeth. The strip then is pressed using one's fingers onto the model Z6 and coupling members 40, in particular into contact with the surfaces of the tooth elements and embedding the coupling members 40 as shown in Fig. 3. While a hand lay-up technique has been described by way of example, positioner 5û alternatively can be formed by injection or compression molding or other suitable techniques which would not dislodge or destroy coupling members 40.
After the positioner 50 is so formed by the hand lay~up techniques the material is further formed and then cured, preferably by application of heat and pressure. In particular, construction model 26 bearing attachments 40 with positioner 50 formed thereon is placed in a dental molding machine of the type marketed by Great Lakes Orthodontics Ltd., Buffalo, New York under the designation Biostar. For a more detailed description of such a machine and its method of operation reference may be made to United States patent 3,768,164 issued October ~O; 1973 and entitled "Method Of Making A Dental Appliance-The model 26 andpositioner strip 50 can be covered with a thin sheet of rubber of the type commercially available from Hygenic Corp. under the designation Dental Dam- The dental molding ma'chine then is closed and operated to apply pressure which enhances the forming and adapting of the positioner strip 50 to the attachments 40 and model surfaces. Then the model 26 with positioner strip 50 thereon is removed from the machine and placed in an oven for curing at a temperature determined by the nature of the material and so as not to damage the coupling members 40. By way of B
.
-14- ~3~
example, in an illustrative method and apparatus, the material of strip 50 is a hand lay-up form of silastic medical-grade elastomer commercially available from Dow Corning Corporation under the designation MDX-4-4515 or MDX-4-4516. For this illustrative material, the curing time and temperature are 90 minutes at 250 F. Other forms of low durometer, high elasticity elastomers can be emplbyed.
After curing, strip 50 is removed from model 26 simply by peeling it off from the model 26 and the coupling members 40.
The strip then is trimmed to co~pensate for any variations in the desired dimensions for purposes of comfort, fit and appearance.
While strip 50 is illustrated for use on the facial surfaces of the teeth, it could be formed for use on the labial surfaces.
The manner of using positioner 50, both alone and in conjunction with other forms of positioners, and the advantages arising therefrom will be described in detail further on in the specification.
In order to install positioner 50 on the patient's dental arch or to install other forms of the positioner according to the present invention which will be described, it is necessary to attach coupling members to the patient's teeth. According to the present invention, coupling members identical to those designated 40 in Figs. 2 and 3 are attached to the sides of the patient's teeth in accordance with the locations of coupling members 40 attached to the teeth elements of construction model 26. Because in the method of the present invention as previously described attachments are placed on construction model 26 for fabrication of the appliance, it is necessary to transfer the position of each attachment or coupling member from the ideally repositioned tooth of construction model 26 to the malaligned teeth represented in original model 10 and then ~o the patient's teeth. In accordance with the present invention, a transfer matrix is formed from construction model 26 with coupling members 40 attached to model 26 for use in attaching identical hut *trade-marks B
.
1329~0 separate coupling members to the patient's teeth. The transfer matrix is formed accordiny to the present inven~ion in the following manner.
Referring ~o Fig. 4, the first step in the method of forming the transfer matrix according to the present invention is applying impression material 60 to construction model 26 with coupling members 40 thereon so as to locate the coupling members 40 relative to the respective teeth. One form of impression material found to perform satisfactorily is a silicone putty commercially available under the trade designation BondoSil* fro~ -Ortho-Bondin~ Co., Delray Beach, Florida. The impression material is formed by hand on the dental arch of construction model 26, in the present illustration primarily on the facial surface of the teeth, so as to locate the positioning of the couplin~ members 40. Obviously if the coupling members were on the lingual surfaces of the teeth, the material would be formed primarily on the lingual surfaces. The impression material is allowed to cure, typically by simply standing for a period of time, whereupon it is separated such as by cutting into a plurality of segments, one for each tooth element. The segments then are transferred to and placed on the corresponding teeth elements of the original model 10 as shown in Fig. 5, these segments being designated 60'.
The next step in forming the transfer matrix accordin~ to the present invention is forming a holder for capturing the segments by applying moldable material to the segments in a unitary body of the moldable material. A sheet of thermoplastic material is applied over the outer surfaces of the segments of impression material. The model 10 with impression material segments 60i and thermoplastic overlay can be placed in the afore-mentioned Biostar machine to form the thermoplastic material exactly to the outer shape of the segments and the dental arch. After shaping and when the thermoplastic material has cooled, the resulting assembly then is removed from model 10 *tr~e-mark B
-16- ~2~5~
and trimmed to form the resulting transfer matrix designated 64 in Figs. 6 and 7. The body 66 of thermoplastic material serves as a carrier or holder for the segments 60' and maintains the relative position and location of the segments 60' as established by model 10. Model 10 is of course of the patient's actual dental arch and teeth in the actual position including some which are malaligned or maloccluded. Each segment has a recess 68 formed therein for receiving the coupling members. The transfer matrix can be divided into two or more parts if desired for ease in applying the coupling members to the patient's teeth which now will be described.
In use, coupling members are fitted into segments 6û' in transfer matrix 64 with the entire coupling member snap-fitted into recess 68 with the bulbous end entering first and with the concave end face of each coupling member being substantially flush with the inner surface of each o~ the segments 60' and facing inwardly of the transfer matrix 64. Suitable adhesive is applied to the end face of each coupling member, for example Excel G9210D*fast set adhesive commercially available from Great Lakes ûrthodontics, Ltd. Then the transfer matrix is introduced to the patientls mouth and fitted onto the patient's dental arch, the sur~aces o~ the segments 6û' serving to guide the placement thereon. Each of the coupling members contacts a surface of a corresponding tooth of the patient and is located at the desired position on the tooth surface by virtue of the reference established by the transfer matrix. After the adhesive sets, the transfer matrix is removed and the coupling members remain attached to the patient's teeth. As a result, the patient's teeth are ready to receive the positioner of the present invention, for example the positioner 50 as shown and described in Fig ~. In particular, the installation of the positioner 50 on the patient's actual teeth resembles that shown in Fig. 3 wherein positioner 50 is installed on the construction model with coupling members 40 attached to the teeth elements. Furthermore~
*trade~mark B
~ . .
-17- ~329~0~
the transfer matrix is used to attach coupling members to the patient's teeth for receiving other forms of the positioner of the present invention which now will~be described.
Figs. 8 and 9 illustrate two forms of an orthodonitic positioner according to another embodiment of the present invention. The positioner of this embodiment is generally in the form of a commonly known mouthguard. Positioner 80 shown in Fig.
8 is for use on either dental arch of a patient, upper and/or lower, and positioner 82 shown in Fig. 9 is a full positioner which simulataneously receives the upper and lower dental arches of a patient. Both forms of positioner are of elastic material, ,.. , ", _ _ in particular a silicone elastomer material, and are operatively positioned about the patient's teeth and in engagement with the coupling members attached to the patient's teeth, ~or urying particular ones of the patient's teeth toward a predetermined or desired position or orientation. Both positioners 80 and 82 are formed on construction models such as model 26 shown in Fig. 2 having coupling members 40 attached thereto.
Thus, positioner 80 comprises a body 84 of elastomer base material having an arcuate shape with a trough 86 for receiving teeth of the patient's dental arch. -The trough 86 has walls 88990 including surfaces adapted to contact the facial and lingual surfaces of the patient's teeth and the surfaces having recesses such as those designated 92 in spaced relation along the trough for fitting onto the coupling members attached to the patient's teeth. In the illustrative positioner of Fig. 8, recesses 92 are in surfaces along wall 90 for coupling to attachments on the facial sur~aces of the pa~ient's teeth. As previously pointed out, alternatively the recesses can be located for coupling to attachments on the lingual surfaces of the patient's teeth. When the positioner 80 is operatively positioned about the maloccluded or maligned teeth of the patient, the body 84 is in a stretched or deformed condition and , ~
.
-18- 1329~0 the elasticity of the body urges the patient's teeth toward the predetermined, desired orientation. In accordance with the present invention, the positioner 80-elastically urges the patient's teeth to an exact fit between the recesses 92 and the coupling members so as to eliminate any void or space between the coupling members and the recesses.
The full positioner 82 illustrated in Fig. 9 comprises a body of elastomer base material having an arcuate shape and including an upper portion 96 and a lower portion 98 separated by a mid portion 100. Each of the upper and lower portions 96 and 98 includes a trough conforming to the upper and lower dental arches, respectively, of the patient, the troughs facing in opposite directions. Thus, upper portion 96 includes a trough 102 having walls 104,106 adapted to contact the surfaces of the patient's teeth and the walls having recesses such as those designated 108 in spaced relation along the trough for fitting onto the coupling members attached to the patient's teeth along the upper dental arch. Similarly, a lower trough has walls adapted to contact the surfaces of the patient's teeth and the walls having recesses such as those designated 110 in spaced relation along the trou~h for fitting onto coupling members attached to the patient's teeth along the lower dental arch.
Breathing passages or openings 112 can be provided in the front part of mid portion 100. In the illustrative positioner of Fig.
9, recesses 108 and llû are for coupling to attachments on the facial surfaces of the patient's teeth. As previously pointed out, alternatively the reeesses can be located for coupling to attachments on the lingual surfaces of the patient's teeth. When the positioner 82 i5 operatively positioned about the maloccluded or malaligned teeth of the patient, the body is in a stretched or deformed condition and the elasticity of the body urges the patient's teeth toward the predetermined, desired orientation.
In accordance with the present invention, the positioner 82 elastically urges the patient's teeth to an exact fit between the ,. , .
, : ~
, :::
~ 3 2 ~
recesses 108,110 and the coupling members attached to the patient's teeth so as ~o eliminate any space or void between the coupling members and the recesses.
One form of silicone elastomer material found to perform satisfactorily for positioners 80 and 82 is commercially available from Dow rorning under the designation SILASTIC
Q7-4840. Other forms of low durometer, high elasticity elastomers can be employed.
The positioners 80 and 82 are formed preferably by injection molding in the following manner. Referring first to full positioner 82 shown in Fig. 9, a set of upper and lower construction models like lower model 26 of Fig. 2 with coupling members attached thereto, one model for the upper dental arch and the other model for the lower dental arch, are used as a base or standard upon which a wax pattern of the desired finishing positioner is formed. More specifically, the previously formed wax construction bite taken while the wax/stone models were operatively mounted within the articulator is operatively placed between the construction models and the construction models are operatively positioned upon the wax construction bite. The resulting arrangement between the eonstruction models simulates the previously-obtained relationship between the wax/stone models mounted ~ithin the articulator. To secure the relationship between the construction models, peripheral edges of the wax construction bite are luted, or sealed with a heated instrument, to the construction models.
Additional wax is then applied to the inside and outside surfaces of the construction models in the form of heated wax sheets to complete the wax pattern for the resulting positioner 82. If desired, the peripheral design of the positioner can be penciled or outlined upon the construction models to provide a visual border ~or the build-up wax, and openings can be carved into the wax pattern to provide the breathing passages 112 in the resulting positioner 82.
B *trade-mark ~329~0 Upon completion of the wax pattern, the construction models with the wax pattern positioned thereabout are used to mold the positioner 82. Such molding can be performed with investmen~
molding equipment including an injection-type flask and carried out by molding techniques which are well known in the art.
Briefly, the construction models and wax pattern are operatively positioned in the injection-type flask, and a plaster investment is poured around the models and pattern. The wax pattern is boiled out to define a mold cavity within the flask, and the wax pattern is replaced with uncurèd-~l-as~t30mer base material3 such as the aforementioned~\SILASTIC Q7-4840 be~ing injected into the mold cavity. After permit~ting_the elast-omer base material to cure to form the positioner 82, the positioner is removed from the investment and finished, as by trimming with scissors andfor smoothing with a coarse wheel mounted in a bench lathe chuck, to remove material flash from vents and sprue of the mold. The finished positioner 82 is then ready for insertion into the patient's mouth.
To facilitate the investment molding of the positioner 82, it has been found that when investing the flask with plaster, the flask be initially filled only to a height equal to about one-half the height of the wax pattern when positioned within the flask. The investment is then allowed to set, and a separator is spread thereover before the second half of the investment is poured. The resultant mold or casing formed upon filling the remaining one-half of the flask with investment comprises two mold halves. Furthermore, for purposes of permitting air to escape during the injection of the uncured elastomer base material, it is preferred that the mold cavity be vented by means of scored grooves to the edge of the investment. A trench is thereafter carved in the plaster to provide the main sprue through which elastomer is injected into the mold cavity. Still further, for purposes of preparing the mold cavity after boiling out the wax pattern, the mold halves are preferably dehydrated in .
.
i .
132~0~
a convection oven at about 150 Fahrenheit for about twc hours.
Before dehydration, a soap base separator is applied to the molds. After dehydration, the mold halves are secured and ready for injection.
With injection molding completed, the elastomer base material, and in particular SILASTIC Q7-4840~is cured by placing the filled mold ~ithin a heated, dry pressure vessel maintained at about 275 Fahrenheit at 15 p.s.i. and leaving the mold in the vessel for about one and one-half hours. The mold is then removed from the vessel and permitted to bench cool for about twenty minutes. The mold halves are then fractured to permit access to the molded positioner 82.
By way of background, a more detailed description of forming a full positioner by injection molding may be found in the above-identifiedu.s. Patent No. 4,856,99l.
The split or half positioner 80 shown in Fig. 8 is formed in a substantially similar manner. Separate wax patterns ~re built upon each construction model to yield a pair of pattern-bearing construction models. Preferably, the wax patterns are indexed with one another to ensure proper fit-up of the resultant positioner parts within the mouth. Each construction model, with its corresponding wax pattern, is then used to investment mold a corresponding split positioner 80.
The positioners 50, 80 and 82 are used in a method of orthodontic treatment in the following manner. Coupling members are attaohed to the patient's teeth using transfer matrix 64 as previously described. Positioner 50 is installed on the patient's teeth during one portion of each day during the treatment period. That portion of the day is when the patient's teeth are most likely to be visible to others, typically daytime. Being in the form of a narrow band or strip, positioner 50 is less likely to be seen by others and is cosmetically more relatively pleasing to the eye. Thereafter, positioner 50 is removed and either positioner 80 or 82 is installed on the B
.
.
.
~ 3 ~
patient's teeth during the remaining por~ion of each day during the treatment period. That portion is when the patient's teeth are less likely to be visible to others~typically nighti~e.
The foregoing positioner system and procedure effectively results in substantially continuous application of forces to the patient's teeth in a manner acceptable to the patient in terms of comfort and appearance and with the resulting advantage of relatively shorter overall length of treatment time. The strip positioner 50 at the very least maintains the tooth movement previously applied by the positioner 80 and 82. Positioner 50 ~_provides the secondary benefit of covering the coupling members between periods when positioners 8û and 82 is installed. The uncovered and exposed coupling members can be irritating to the tongue and other parts of the patient's mouth. The manner in which positioners 50, 80 and 82 are fabricated, in particular the positioner material being forrned directly on the actual tooth attachments or couplin~ members during the fabrication process, assures accuracy of the applianee and compliance with the exact shape and placement of the attachment or coupling members. In particular, the positioner elastically urges the patient's teeth to an exact fit between the material of the positioner and the coupling members attached to the patient's teeth so as to eliminate any void or space ~herebetween thereby allowing a good purchase to the coupling members and therefore a good operative coupling to the patient's teeth. Transfer matrix 64 provides both simultaneous attachment of coupling members to the patient's teeth at the outset and individual attachment at a later time in the event that one or more coupling members become inadvertently detached from the patient's teeth.
It is therefore apparent that the present invention accomplishes its ~ntended objects. While embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail, that is for the purpose of illustration9 not limitation.
~ ' ' ' , .
, ~.
.
.
1329~00 30, gum tissue simulating portion 32 and teeth simulating portion ~4. In the illustrative model, the repositioned tooth elements are designated 18', 19', 20' and 21' which teeth elements are in the desired or ideal orientation.
The next step in the method of the present invention is attaching coupling members to the facial and/or lingual surfaces of the teeth in the construction model. As shown in Fig. 2, according to a preferred mode of the present invention, each of the coupling members generally designated 40 includes an undercut and is in the illustrative form of a mushroom shaped lingual but~on formed of plastic and having a color so as to blend visually with the patient's tee~h. In particular, each coupling member includes a generally circular base 42, a stem portion 44 of relatively smaller diameter extending from base 42 and a bulbous outer portion 46 at the end of stem 44 and spaced from the surface of the tooth to which the coupling members are attached. Stem 44 is generally cylindrical in shape and base 42 has a generally convex outer surface and a slightly concave opposite or end surface for conforming to the surface of the tooth to which it is attached. Depending upon the types of teeth to which the coupling member is attached, i.e. front teeth vs.
molars, the base surfaces can have different degrees of concavity. The coupling members 40 are glued to the corresponding teeth using a suitable adhesive, for example fast set cyanoacrylate type. Each coupling member has a longitudinal axis, and according to a preferred mode of the present invention each coupling member is positioned on the tooth with the longitudinal axis of the coupling member in substantial alignment or registry with the center of rotation or axis of rotation of the tooth. In particular, satisfactory results have been obtained when the longitudinal axis of the coupling member is located about one ~hird the distance between the gum line and the occulsal edge of the tooth and centrally of or midway between the vertical side edges of the tooth. The number of teeth to which , -12- ~329~00 individual coupling mem~ers 40 are attached is determined by the number of teeth to be repositioned, and in the illustration of Fig. 2 the coupling members 40 exten~ from the first molar on one side of the dental arch to the first molar on the opposite side.
Furthermore, although the coupling members 40 are attached to the facial surfaces of the teeth in the illustration of Fig. 2, coupling members also can be attached to the lingual surfaces of the teeth depending upon the nature of the orthodontic treatment.
The foregoing illustrative coupling members 40 are commercially available from Rocky Mountain Orthodontics under the designation Plastic Lingual Buttons A-39ûl. ûther forms of coupling members, attachments or brackets can be employed which include an undercut feature to provide a snap on effect.
In accordance with the present invention, a positioner is formed by applying positioner material to the construction model 26 and directly to the coupling members 40 thereby providing an exact adaptation of the positioner material to the construction model including the coupling members and providing an exact fit between the positioner material and the coupling members so as to eliminate the void or space between the coupling members and the positioner material. Thus, positioner material is applied directly to the actual coupling members or attachments 40, not to impressions thereof. Fig. 3 illustrates one form of positioner 50 according to the present invention. The positioner 50 illustrated in Fig. ~ is formed by performing a hand layup technique in a manner providing a positioner body in the form of an elongated strip having a length determined by the location of the coupling members or the number of teeth to be positioned and having a width initiating near the gingival line and terminating near the patient's opposing dental arch to avoid interference in occlusion, i.e. commensurate with the distance between the gum line and the occ~lsal/incisal edges of the teeth. In particular, there is provided a strip from a sheet of uncured hand lay-up form of silicone elastomer material. The length of the strip .
,--1329~0 between the ends, one being designated 52, is determined by thenumber of teeth to be repositioned or by the location of the coupling members. The width of the strip ideally is selected such that the lower edge 56 is about one millimeter spaced from the patient's gum line and the upper edge 58 is spaced about 2 millimeters from the occlusal edge of the patient's teeth. The strip then is pressed using one's fingers onto the model Z6 and coupling members 40, in particular into contact with the surfaces of the tooth elements and embedding the coupling members 40 as shown in Fig. 3. While a hand lay-up technique has been described by way of example, positioner 5û alternatively can be formed by injection or compression molding or other suitable techniques which would not dislodge or destroy coupling members 40.
After the positioner 50 is so formed by the hand lay~up techniques the material is further formed and then cured, preferably by application of heat and pressure. In particular, construction model 26 bearing attachments 40 with positioner 50 formed thereon is placed in a dental molding machine of the type marketed by Great Lakes Orthodontics Ltd., Buffalo, New York under the designation Biostar. For a more detailed description of such a machine and its method of operation reference may be made to United States patent 3,768,164 issued October ~O; 1973 and entitled "Method Of Making A Dental Appliance-The model 26 andpositioner strip 50 can be covered with a thin sheet of rubber of the type commercially available from Hygenic Corp. under the designation Dental Dam- The dental molding ma'chine then is closed and operated to apply pressure which enhances the forming and adapting of the positioner strip 50 to the attachments 40 and model surfaces. Then the model 26 with positioner strip 50 thereon is removed from the machine and placed in an oven for curing at a temperature determined by the nature of the material and so as not to damage the coupling members 40. By way of B
.
-14- ~3~
example, in an illustrative method and apparatus, the material of strip 50 is a hand lay-up form of silastic medical-grade elastomer commercially available from Dow Corning Corporation under the designation MDX-4-4515 or MDX-4-4516. For this illustrative material, the curing time and temperature are 90 minutes at 250 F. Other forms of low durometer, high elasticity elastomers can be emplbyed.
After curing, strip 50 is removed from model 26 simply by peeling it off from the model 26 and the coupling members 40.
The strip then is trimmed to co~pensate for any variations in the desired dimensions for purposes of comfort, fit and appearance.
While strip 50 is illustrated for use on the facial surfaces of the teeth, it could be formed for use on the labial surfaces.
The manner of using positioner 50, both alone and in conjunction with other forms of positioners, and the advantages arising therefrom will be described in detail further on in the specification.
In order to install positioner 50 on the patient's dental arch or to install other forms of the positioner according to the present invention which will be described, it is necessary to attach coupling members to the patient's teeth. According to the present invention, coupling members identical to those designated 40 in Figs. 2 and 3 are attached to the sides of the patient's teeth in accordance with the locations of coupling members 40 attached to the teeth elements of construction model 26. Because in the method of the present invention as previously described attachments are placed on construction model 26 for fabrication of the appliance, it is necessary to transfer the position of each attachment or coupling member from the ideally repositioned tooth of construction model 26 to the malaligned teeth represented in original model 10 and then ~o the patient's teeth. In accordance with the present invention, a transfer matrix is formed from construction model 26 with coupling members 40 attached to model 26 for use in attaching identical hut *trade-marks B
.
1329~0 separate coupling members to the patient's teeth. The transfer matrix is formed accordiny to the present inven~ion in the following manner.
Referring ~o Fig. 4, the first step in the method of forming the transfer matrix according to the present invention is applying impression material 60 to construction model 26 with coupling members 40 thereon so as to locate the coupling members 40 relative to the respective teeth. One form of impression material found to perform satisfactorily is a silicone putty commercially available under the trade designation BondoSil* fro~ -Ortho-Bondin~ Co., Delray Beach, Florida. The impression material is formed by hand on the dental arch of construction model 26, in the present illustration primarily on the facial surface of the teeth, so as to locate the positioning of the couplin~ members 40. Obviously if the coupling members were on the lingual surfaces of the teeth, the material would be formed primarily on the lingual surfaces. The impression material is allowed to cure, typically by simply standing for a period of time, whereupon it is separated such as by cutting into a plurality of segments, one for each tooth element. The segments then are transferred to and placed on the corresponding teeth elements of the original model 10 as shown in Fig. 5, these segments being designated 60'.
The next step in forming the transfer matrix accordin~ to the present invention is forming a holder for capturing the segments by applying moldable material to the segments in a unitary body of the moldable material. A sheet of thermoplastic material is applied over the outer surfaces of the segments of impression material. The model 10 with impression material segments 60i and thermoplastic overlay can be placed in the afore-mentioned Biostar machine to form the thermoplastic material exactly to the outer shape of the segments and the dental arch. After shaping and when the thermoplastic material has cooled, the resulting assembly then is removed from model 10 *tr~e-mark B
-16- ~2~5~
and trimmed to form the resulting transfer matrix designated 64 in Figs. 6 and 7. The body 66 of thermoplastic material serves as a carrier or holder for the segments 60' and maintains the relative position and location of the segments 60' as established by model 10. Model 10 is of course of the patient's actual dental arch and teeth in the actual position including some which are malaligned or maloccluded. Each segment has a recess 68 formed therein for receiving the coupling members. The transfer matrix can be divided into two or more parts if desired for ease in applying the coupling members to the patient's teeth which now will be described.
In use, coupling members are fitted into segments 6û' in transfer matrix 64 with the entire coupling member snap-fitted into recess 68 with the bulbous end entering first and with the concave end face of each coupling member being substantially flush with the inner surface of each o~ the segments 60' and facing inwardly of the transfer matrix 64. Suitable adhesive is applied to the end face of each coupling member, for example Excel G9210D*fast set adhesive commercially available from Great Lakes ûrthodontics, Ltd. Then the transfer matrix is introduced to the patientls mouth and fitted onto the patient's dental arch, the sur~aces o~ the segments 6û' serving to guide the placement thereon. Each of the coupling members contacts a surface of a corresponding tooth of the patient and is located at the desired position on the tooth surface by virtue of the reference established by the transfer matrix. After the adhesive sets, the transfer matrix is removed and the coupling members remain attached to the patient's teeth. As a result, the patient's teeth are ready to receive the positioner of the present invention, for example the positioner 50 as shown and described in Fig ~. In particular, the installation of the positioner 50 on the patient's actual teeth resembles that shown in Fig. 3 wherein positioner 50 is installed on the construction model with coupling members 40 attached to the teeth elements. Furthermore~
*trade~mark B
~ . .
-17- ~329~0~
the transfer matrix is used to attach coupling members to the patient's teeth for receiving other forms of the positioner of the present invention which now will~be described.
Figs. 8 and 9 illustrate two forms of an orthodonitic positioner according to another embodiment of the present invention. The positioner of this embodiment is generally in the form of a commonly known mouthguard. Positioner 80 shown in Fig.
8 is for use on either dental arch of a patient, upper and/or lower, and positioner 82 shown in Fig. 9 is a full positioner which simulataneously receives the upper and lower dental arches of a patient. Both forms of positioner are of elastic material, ,.. , ", _ _ in particular a silicone elastomer material, and are operatively positioned about the patient's teeth and in engagement with the coupling members attached to the patient's teeth, ~or urying particular ones of the patient's teeth toward a predetermined or desired position or orientation. Both positioners 80 and 82 are formed on construction models such as model 26 shown in Fig. 2 having coupling members 40 attached thereto.
Thus, positioner 80 comprises a body 84 of elastomer base material having an arcuate shape with a trough 86 for receiving teeth of the patient's dental arch. -The trough 86 has walls 88990 including surfaces adapted to contact the facial and lingual surfaces of the patient's teeth and the surfaces having recesses such as those designated 92 in spaced relation along the trough for fitting onto the coupling members attached to the patient's teeth. In the illustrative positioner of Fig. 8, recesses 92 are in surfaces along wall 90 for coupling to attachments on the facial sur~aces of the pa~ient's teeth. As previously pointed out, alternatively the recesses can be located for coupling to attachments on the lingual surfaces of the patient's teeth. When the positioner 80 is operatively positioned about the maloccluded or maligned teeth of the patient, the body 84 is in a stretched or deformed condition and , ~
.
-18- 1329~0 the elasticity of the body urges the patient's teeth toward the predetermined, desired orientation. In accordance with the present invention, the positioner 80-elastically urges the patient's teeth to an exact fit between the recesses 92 and the coupling members so as to eliminate any void or space between the coupling members and the recesses.
The full positioner 82 illustrated in Fig. 9 comprises a body of elastomer base material having an arcuate shape and including an upper portion 96 and a lower portion 98 separated by a mid portion 100. Each of the upper and lower portions 96 and 98 includes a trough conforming to the upper and lower dental arches, respectively, of the patient, the troughs facing in opposite directions. Thus, upper portion 96 includes a trough 102 having walls 104,106 adapted to contact the surfaces of the patient's teeth and the walls having recesses such as those designated 108 in spaced relation along the trough for fitting onto the coupling members attached to the patient's teeth along the upper dental arch. Similarly, a lower trough has walls adapted to contact the surfaces of the patient's teeth and the walls having recesses such as those designated 110 in spaced relation along the trou~h for fitting onto coupling members attached to the patient's teeth along the lower dental arch.
Breathing passages or openings 112 can be provided in the front part of mid portion 100. In the illustrative positioner of Fig.
9, recesses 108 and llû are for coupling to attachments on the facial surfaces of the patient's teeth. As previously pointed out, alternatively the reeesses can be located for coupling to attachments on the lingual surfaces of the patient's teeth. When the positioner 82 i5 operatively positioned about the maloccluded or malaligned teeth of the patient, the body is in a stretched or deformed condition and the elasticity of the body urges the patient's teeth toward the predetermined, desired orientation.
In accordance with the present invention, the positioner 82 elastically urges the patient's teeth to an exact fit between the ,. , .
, : ~
, :::
~ 3 2 ~
recesses 108,110 and the coupling members attached to the patient's teeth so as ~o eliminate any space or void between the coupling members and the recesses.
One form of silicone elastomer material found to perform satisfactorily for positioners 80 and 82 is commercially available from Dow rorning under the designation SILASTIC
Q7-4840. Other forms of low durometer, high elasticity elastomers can be employed.
The positioners 80 and 82 are formed preferably by injection molding in the following manner. Referring first to full positioner 82 shown in Fig. 9, a set of upper and lower construction models like lower model 26 of Fig. 2 with coupling members attached thereto, one model for the upper dental arch and the other model for the lower dental arch, are used as a base or standard upon which a wax pattern of the desired finishing positioner is formed. More specifically, the previously formed wax construction bite taken while the wax/stone models were operatively mounted within the articulator is operatively placed between the construction models and the construction models are operatively positioned upon the wax construction bite. The resulting arrangement between the eonstruction models simulates the previously-obtained relationship between the wax/stone models mounted ~ithin the articulator. To secure the relationship between the construction models, peripheral edges of the wax construction bite are luted, or sealed with a heated instrument, to the construction models.
Additional wax is then applied to the inside and outside surfaces of the construction models in the form of heated wax sheets to complete the wax pattern for the resulting positioner 82. If desired, the peripheral design of the positioner can be penciled or outlined upon the construction models to provide a visual border ~or the build-up wax, and openings can be carved into the wax pattern to provide the breathing passages 112 in the resulting positioner 82.
B *trade-mark ~329~0 Upon completion of the wax pattern, the construction models with the wax pattern positioned thereabout are used to mold the positioner 82. Such molding can be performed with investmen~
molding equipment including an injection-type flask and carried out by molding techniques which are well known in the art.
Briefly, the construction models and wax pattern are operatively positioned in the injection-type flask, and a plaster investment is poured around the models and pattern. The wax pattern is boiled out to define a mold cavity within the flask, and the wax pattern is replaced with uncurèd-~l-as~t30mer base material3 such as the aforementioned~\SILASTIC Q7-4840 be~ing injected into the mold cavity. After permit~ting_the elast-omer base material to cure to form the positioner 82, the positioner is removed from the investment and finished, as by trimming with scissors andfor smoothing with a coarse wheel mounted in a bench lathe chuck, to remove material flash from vents and sprue of the mold. The finished positioner 82 is then ready for insertion into the patient's mouth.
To facilitate the investment molding of the positioner 82, it has been found that when investing the flask with plaster, the flask be initially filled only to a height equal to about one-half the height of the wax pattern when positioned within the flask. The investment is then allowed to set, and a separator is spread thereover before the second half of the investment is poured. The resultant mold or casing formed upon filling the remaining one-half of the flask with investment comprises two mold halves. Furthermore, for purposes of permitting air to escape during the injection of the uncured elastomer base material, it is preferred that the mold cavity be vented by means of scored grooves to the edge of the investment. A trench is thereafter carved in the plaster to provide the main sprue through which elastomer is injected into the mold cavity. Still further, for purposes of preparing the mold cavity after boiling out the wax pattern, the mold halves are preferably dehydrated in .
.
i .
132~0~
a convection oven at about 150 Fahrenheit for about twc hours.
Before dehydration, a soap base separator is applied to the molds. After dehydration, the mold halves are secured and ready for injection.
With injection molding completed, the elastomer base material, and in particular SILASTIC Q7-4840~is cured by placing the filled mold ~ithin a heated, dry pressure vessel maintained at about 275 Fahrenheit at 15 p.s.i. and leaving the mold in the vessel for about one and one-half hours. The mold is then removed from the vessel and permitted to bench cool for about twenty minutes. The mold halves are then fractured to permit access to the molded positioner 82.
By way of background, a more detailed description of forming a full positioner by injection molding may be found in the above-identifiedu.s. Patent No. 4,856,99l.
The split or half positioner 80 shown in Fig. 8 is formed in a substantially similar manner. Separate wax patterns ~re built upon each construction model to yield a pair of pattern-bearing construction models. Preferably, the wax patterns are indexed with one another to ensure proper fit-up of the resultant positioner parts within the mouth. Each construction model, with its corresponding wax pattern, is then used to investment mold a corresponding split positioner 80.
The positioners 50, 80 and 82 are used in a method of orthodontic treatment in the following manner. Coupling members are attaohed to the patient's teeth using transfer matrix 64 as previously described. Positioner 50 is installed on the patient's teeth during one portion of each day during the treatment period. That portion of the day is when the patient's teeth are most likely to be visible to others, typically daytime. Being in the form of a narrow band or strip, positioner 50 is less likely to be seen by others and is cosmetically more relatively pleasing to the eye. Thereafter, positioner 50 is removed and either positioner 80 or 82 is installed on the B
.
.
.
~ 3 ~
patient's teeth during the remaining por~ion of each day during the treatment period. That portion is when the patient's teeth are less likely to be visible to others~typically nighti~e.
The foregoing positioner system and procedure effectively results in substantially continuous application of forces to the patient's teeth in a manner acceptable to the patient in terms of comfort and appearance and with the resulting advantage of relatively shorter overall length of treatment time. The strip positioner 50 at the very least maintains the tooth movement previously applied by the positioner 80 and 82. Positioner 50 ~_provides the secondary benefit of covering the coupling members between periods when positioners 8û and 82 is installed. The uncovered and exposed coupling members can be irritating to the tongue and other parts of the patient's mouth. The manner in which positioners 50, 80 and 82 are fabricated, in particular the positioner material being forrned directly on the actual tooth attachments or couplin~ members during the fabrication process, assures accuracy of the applianee and compliance with the exact shape and placement of the attachment or coupling members. In particular, the positioner elastically urges the patient's teeth to an exact fit between the material of the positioner and the coupling members attached to the patient's teeth so as to eliminate any void or space ~herebetween thereby allowing a good purchase to the coupling members and therefore a good operative coupling to the patient's teeth. Transfer matrix 64 provides both simultaneous attachment of coupling members to the patient's teeth at the outset and individual attachment at a later time in the event that one or more coupling members become inadvertently detached from the patient's teeth.
It is therefore apparent that the present invention accomplishes its ~ntended objects. While embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail, that is for the purpose of illustration9 not limitation.
~ ' ' ' , .
, ~.
.
Claims (30)
1. A method of making an orthodontic elastic positioner for maloccluded or malaligned teeth located in a dental arch of a patient for coaction with teeth-mounted coupling members including portions protruding from the surfaces of the teeth including the steps of:
a) providing a construction model of the patient's teeth and a portion of the gum tissue in the dental arch wherein the teeth therein are positioned in a desired orientation;
b) attaching coupling members to the surfaces of the teeth in said construction model; and c) forming an elastic positioner by applying positioner material to said construction model and directly to said coupling members thereby providing an exact adaptation of said positioner material to said construction model including said coupling members and providing an exact fit between said positioner material and said coupling members so as to eliminate any void or space between said coupling members and said positioner material and to provide an accurate snap--on coupling and peel-off effect for said positioner with respect to the coupling members on the patient's teeth.
a) providing a construction model of the patient's teeth and a portion of the gum tissue in the dental arch wherein the teeth therein are positioned in a desired orientation;
b) attaching coupling members to the surfaces of the teeth in said construction model; and c) forming an elastic positioner by applying positioner material to said construction model and directly to said coupling members thereby providing an exact adaptation of said positioner material to said construction model including said coupling members and providing an exact fit between said positioner material and said coupling members so as to eliminate any void or space between said coupling members and said positioner material and to provide an accurate snap--on coupling and peel-off effect for said positioner with respect to the coupling members on the patient's teeth.
2. The method according to claim 1, wherein said step of forming the positioner is performed in a manner providing a positioner body in the form of an elongated strip having a length determined by the location of the coupling members and having a width initiating near the gingival line and terminating near the patient's opposing dental arch to avoid interference in occlusion.
3. The method according to claim 2, wherein said step of forming the positioner is performed by a hand lay up technique and wherein said positioner material is a hand lay-up type of silicone elastomer material.
4. The method according to claim 2, further including the step of curing the resulting positioner.
5. The method according to claim 4, further including the step of removing the resulting positioner from said construction model.
6. The method according to claim 5, further including the step of trimming the resulting positioner.
7. The method according to claim 1, further including the step of forming a transfer matrix from said construction model with said coupling members attached thereon for use in attaching coupling members to the patient's teeth.
8. The method according to claim 7, wherein said step of forming a transfer matrix comprises:
a) applying impression material to said construction model including said attachments so as to locate said coupling members relative to the respective teeth;
b) separating said impression material into segments for each tooth;
c) providing an original model of the patient's teeth and a portion of the gum tissue in the dental arch when the teeth therein are positioned in the actual and maloccluded orientation;
d) transferring said segments from teeth of said construction model to corresponding teeth of said original model; and e) forming a holder for capturing said segments by applying moldable material to said segments in a unitary body of said moldable material.
a) applying impression material to said construction model including said attachments so as to locate said coupling members relative to the respective teeth;
b) separating said impression material into segments for each tooth;
c) providing an original model of the patient's teeth and a portion of the gum tissue in the dental arch when the teeth therein are positioned in the actual and maloccluded orientation;
d) transferring said segments from teeth of said construction model to corresponding teeth of said original model; and e) forming a holder for capturing said segments by applying moldable material to said segments in a unitary body of said moldable material.
9. The method according to claim 1 wherein said step of forming the positioner is performed by molding in a manner providing a positioner body having an arcuate shape including a trough for receiving teeth of the dental arch, the trough having walls including surfaces shaped exactly to the surfaces of the teeth of said construction model and including recesses shaped exactly to said coupling members.
10. The method according to claim 9, wherein said step of molding comprises injection molding including the steps of:
a) building a wax pattern of the desired positioner upon said construction model so as to provide a pattern-supporting construction model;
b) providing investment molding equipment and an uncured amount of silicone elastomer base material from which said positioner is to be formed;
c) operatively positioning the pattern-supporting construction model within the investment molding equipment and utilizing investment molding techniques to replace the wax pattern within the molding equipment with the uncured amount of silicone elastomer base material;
d) permitting the amount of elastomer base material to cure to thereby provide the positioner; and e) removing the positioner from the investment molding equipment.
a) building a wax pattern of the desired positioner upon said construction model so as to provide a pattern-supporting construction model;
b) providing investment molding equipment and an uncured amount of silicone elastomer base material from which said positioner is to be formed;
c) operatively positioning the pattern-supporting construction model within the investment molding equipment and utilizing investment molding techniques to replace the wax pattern within the molding equipment with the uncured amount of silicone elastomer base material;
d) permitting the amount of elastomer base material to cure to thereby provide the positioner; and e) removing the positioner from the investment molding equipment.
11. The method according to claim 1, wherein each of said coupling members is located on the surface of the respective tooth so that the center of the coupling member is in substantial alignment with the center of rotation of the tooth.
12. A system for use in the orthodontic positioning of maloccluded or malaligned teeth utilizing a positioner of elastic material in cooperation with teeth-mounted coupling members including portions protruding from the surfaces of the teeth, said system comprising:
a) a construction model of the patient's teeth and a portion of the gum tissue in the dental arch when the teeth therein are positioned in a desired orientation;
b) coupling members for attaching to the surfaces of the teeth in said construction model;
c) a positioner formed by applying positioner material to said construction model and directly to said coupling members thereby providing an exact adaptation of said positioner material to said construction model including said coupling members and providing an exact fit between said positioner material and said coupling members so as to eliminate any void or space between said coupling members and said positioner material and to provide an accurate snap-on coupling and peel-off effect for said positioner with respect to the coupling members on the patient's teeth;
d) coupling members for attaching to the surfaces of the patient's teeth in accordance with the locations of coupling members attached to the teeth of said construction model; and e) said positioner when applied to the patient's teeth elastically urging the patient's teeth to an exact fit between the material of said positioner and the coupling members attached to the patient's teeth so as to eliminate any void or space therebetween thereby allowing a good purchase to the coupling members and therefore a good operative coupling to the patient's teeth.
a) a construction model of the patient's teeth and a portion of the gum tissue in the dental arch when the teeth therein are positioned in a desired orientation;
b) coupling members for attaching to the surfaces of the teeth in said construction model;
c) a positioner formed by applying positioner material to said construction model and directly to said coupling members thereby providing an exact adaptation of said positioner material to said construction model including said coupling members and providing an exact fit between said positioner material and said coupling members so as to eliminate any void or space between said coupling members and said positioner material and to provide an accurate snap-on coupling and peel-off effect for said positioner with respect to the coupling members on the patient's teeth;
d) coupling members for attaching to the surfaces of the patient's teeth in accordance with the locations of coupling members attached to the teeth of said construction model; and e) said positioner when applied to the patient's teeth elastically urging the patient's teeth to an exact fit between the material of said positioner and the coupling members attached to the patient's teeth so as to eliminate any void or space therebetween thereby allowing a good purchase to the coupling members and therefore a good operative coupling to the patient's teeth.
13. The system according to claim 12, wherein said positioner comprises a positioner body in the form of an elongated strip having a length determined by the location of the coupling members and having a width initiating near the gingival line and terminating near the patient's opposing dental arch to avoid interference in occlusion.
14. The system according to claim 12, wherein said positioner comprises a molded positioner body having an arcuate recess including a trough for receiving teeth of the dental arch, the trough having walls including surfaces shaped exactly to the surfaces of the teeth of said construction model and including recesses shaped exactly to said coupling members.
15. The system according to claim 12, further including a transfer matrix formed from said construction model with coupling members attached thereto for attaching said coupling members to the surfaces of the patient's teeth.
16. A system for use in the orthodontic positioning of maloccluded or malaligned teeth utilizing positioners of elastic material in cooperation with teeth-mounted coupling members including portions protruding from the surfaces of the teeth, said system comprising:
a) coupling members for attaching to the surfaces of the patient's teeth in a predetermined manner;
b) a first positioner having a body of elastic material in the form of an elongated strip having a length determined by the location of the coupling members and having a width initiating near the gingival line and terminating near the patient's opposing dental arch to avoid interference with occlusion, said strip having recesses in spaced relation therealong for fitting on said coupling members;
c) a second positioner having a body of elastic material in an arcuate shape including a trough for receiving teeth of the patient's dental arch, the trough having walls including surfaces shaped to the patient's teeth and including recesses shaped to said coupling members;
d) said first positioner being installed on the patient's teeth during one portion of a day during a treatment period; and e) said second positioner being installed on the patient's teeth during another portion of a day during a treatment period.
a) coupling members for attaching to the surfaces of the patient's teeth in a predetermined manner;
b) a first positioner having a body of elastic material in the form of an elongated strip having a length determined by the location of the coupling members and having a width initiating near the gingival line and terminating near the patient's opposing dental arch to avoid interference with occlusion, said strip having recesses in spaced relation therealong for fitting on said coupling members;
c) a second positioner having a body of elastic material in an arcuate shape including a trough for receiving teeth of the patient's dental arch, the trough having walls including surfaces shaped to the patient's teeth and including recesses shaped to said coupling members;
d) said first positioner being installed on the patient's teeth during one portion of a day during a treatment period; and e) said second positioner being installed on the patient's teeth during another portion of a day during a treatment period.
17. A system according to claim 16, wherein said first positioner is installed on the patient's teeth during a portion of the day when the patient's mouth and teeth are most likely to be visible to others.
18. A system according to claim 16, wherein said second positioner is installed on the patient's teeth during a portion of the day when the patient's mouth and teeth are least likely to be visible to others.
19. A system according to claim 16, wherein said first and second positioners elastically urge the patient's teeth to an exact adaptation and fit to said coupling members so as to eliminate any void or space between said coupling members and said recesses of said positioners thereby allowing a good purchase to the coupling members and therefore a good operative coupling to the patient's teeth.
20. A system according to claim 16, wherein said coupling members are attached to the surfaces of the -28a-patient's teeth in a manner determined by the location of coupling members attached to a construction model of the patient's teeth in a desired orientation which is used in forming said positioners.
21. An orthodontic appliance for maloccluded or malaligned teeth to which are operatively secured coupling members of the type including portions protruding from the sides of the teeth, said appliance comprising:
a body of elastomer base material in the form of an elongated strip having a length determined by the location of the coupling members and having a width initiating near the gingival line and terminating near the patient's opposing dental arch to avoid interference in occlusion, said body having a surface facing the teeth and recesses in spaced relation along said strip for fitting onto said coupling members, said body elastically urging the patient's teeth to an exact fit between said recesses and said coupling members so as to eliminate any void or space between said coupling members and said recesses thereby allowing a good purchase to the coupling members and therefore a good operative coupling to the patient's teeth.
a body of elastomer base material in the form of an elongated strip having a length determined by the location of the coupling members and having a width initiating near the gingival line and terminating near the patient's opposing dental arch to avoid interference in occlusion, said body having a surface facing the teeth and recesses in spaced relation along said strip for fitting onto said coupling members, said body elastically urging the patient's teeth to an exact fit between said recesses and said coupling members so as to eliminate any void or space between said coupling members and said recesses thereby allowing a good purchase to the coupling members and therefore a good operative coupling to the patient's teeth.
22. An orthodontic appliance according to claim 21, wherein said body is of silicone elastomer base material.
23. An orthodontic appliance according to claim 21, wherein said strip has a length determined by the number of teeth being positioned.
24. An orthodontic appliance according to claim 21, wherein each of said coupling members is formed to include an undercut.
25. An orthodontic appliance according to claim 21, wherein each of said coupling members is in the form of a mushroom-shaped button having a stem portion attached to the tooth surface and a bulbous portion protruding from the tooth surface.
26. An orthodontic appliance for maloccluded or malaligned teeth to which are operatively secured coupling members of the type including portions protruding from the surfaces of the teeth, said appliance comprising:
a body of elastomer base material having an arcuate shape including a trough for receiving teeth of the dental arch, the trough having walls including surfaces having recesses in spaced relation along said trough for fitting onto said coupling members, said body elastically urging the patient's teeth to an exact fit between said recesses and said coupling members so as to eliminate any void or space between said coupling members and said recesses thereby allowing a good purchase to the coupling members and therefore a good operative coupling to the patient's teeth.
a body of elastomer base material having an arcuate shape including a trough for receiving teeth of the dental arch, the trough having walls including surfaces having recesses in spaced relation along said trough for fitting onto said coupling members, said body elastically urging the patient's teeth to an exact fit between said recesses and said coupling members so as to eliminate any void or space between said coupling members and said recesses thereby allowing a good purchase to the coupling members and therefore a good operative coupling to the patient's teeth.
27. An orthodontic appliance according to claim 26, wherein said body is of silicone elastomer base material.
28. An orthodontic appliance according to claim 26, wherein said body has a pair of troughs facing in opposite direction for receiving teeth of both the upper and lower dental arches.
29. An orthodontic appliance according to claim 26, wherein each of said coupling members is formed to include an undercut.
30. An orthodontic appliance according to claim 26, wherein each of said coupling members is in the form of a mushroom-shaped button having a stem portion attached to the tooth surface and a bulbous portion protruding from the tooth surface.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US07/254,216 US5055039A (en) | 1988-10-06 | 1988-10-06 | Orthodontic positioner and methods of making and using same |
US254,216 | 1988-10-06 |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
CA1329500C true CA1329500C (en) | 1994-05-17 |
Family
ID=22963387
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
CA000613204A Expired - Lifetime CA1329500C (en) | 1988-10-06 | 1989-09-26 | Orthodontic positioner and methods of making and using same |
Country Status (6)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US5055039A (en) |
EP (1) | EP0362617B1 (en) |
AT (1) | ATE170067T1 (en) |
CA (1) | CA1329500C (en) |
DE (1) | DE68928796T2 (en) |
ES (1) | ES2124211T3 (en) |
Families Citing this family (360)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5186623A (en) * | 1987-05-05 | 1993-02-16 | Great Lakes Orthodontics, Ltd. | Orthodontic finishing positioner and method of construction |
NL9002792A (en) * | 1990-12-18 | 1992-07-16 | Orthodontie Research Bv | METHOD FOR APPLYING A DENTAL DEVICE AND USING A MOLD THEREOF |
DE4041601C2 (en) * | 1990-12-22 | 1993-10-14 | Zeiser Manfred P | Moldings for the manufacture of orthodontic positioners |
US5242304A (en) * | 1991-10-24 | 1993-09-07 | Tru-Tain, Inc. | Dental appliance including surface-mounted undercuts and method of manufacture |
US5328362A (en) * | 1992-03-11 | 1994-07-12 | Watson Sherman L | Soft resilient interocclusal dental appliance, method of forming same and composition for same |
WO1994028832A1 (en) * | 1993-06-14 | 1994-12-22 | Hilsen Kenneth L | Snoring and sleep apnea device |
US5807100A (en) * | 1996-05-24 | 1998-09-15 | Thornton; W. Keith | Dental device having an improved deformable material and method for forming same |
US5884628A (en) * | 1997-03-17 | 1999-03-23 | Hilsen; Kenneth | Snoring device |
US6705863B2 (en) | 1997-06-20 | 2004-03-16 | Align Technology, Inc. | Attachment devices and methods for a dental appliance |
AU744385B2 (en) | 1997-06-20 | 2002-02-21 | Align Technology, Inc. | Method and system for incrementally moving teeth |
US6450807B1 (en) | 1997-06-20 | 2002-09-17 | Align Technology, Inc. | System and method for positioning teeth |
US6471511B1 (en) | 1997-06-20 | 2002-10-29 | Align Technology, Inc. | Defining tooth-moving appliances computationally |
US8496474B2 (en) | 1997-06-20 | 2013-07-30 | Align Technology, Inc. | Computer automated development of an orthodontic treatment plan and appliance |
US5975893A (en) * | 1997-06-20 | 1999-11-02 | Align Technology, Inc. | Method and system for incrementally moving teeth |
US6183248B1 (en) | 1998-11-30 | 2001-02-06 | Muhammad Chishti | System and method for releasing tooth positioning appliances |
US6409504B1 (en) | 1997-06-20 | 2002-06-25 | Align Technology, Inc. | Manipulating a digital dentition model to form models of individual dentition components |
US7247021B2 (en) | 1997-06-20 | 2007-07-24 | Align Technology, Inc. | Subdividing a digital dentition model |
US7063532B1 (en) | 1997-06-20 | 2006-06-20 | Align Technology, Inc. | Subdividing a digital dentition model |
JP3118213B2 (en) * | 1997-09-26 | 2000-12-18 | 俊明 広 | Bracket mounting method for orthodontic appliances |
IL122807A0 (en) | 1997-12-30 | 1998-08-16 | Cadent Ltd | Virtual orthodontic treatment |
IL125659A (en) | 1998-08-05 | 2002-09-12 | Cadent Ltd | Method and apparatus for imaging three-dimensional structure |
US5954500A (en) * | 1998-09-24 | 1999-09-21 | Spriggs; Stephen Todd | Guard for teeth with braces |
AR021854A1 (en) | 1998-10-08 | 2002-08-07 | Ali Amjad | AUTOMATED DEVELOPMENT BY COMPUTER OF AN ORTHODONTIC TREATMENT PLAN AND APPLIANCE |
US11026768B2 (en) | 1998-10-08 | 2021-06-08 | Align Technology, Inc. | Dental appliance reinforcement |
US6514074B1 (en) | 1999-05-14 | 2003-02-04 | Align Technology, Inc. | Digitally modeling the deformation of gingival |
US6802713B1 (en) | 1998-10-08 | 2004-10-12 | Align Technology, Inc. | Defining tooth-moving appliances computationally |
US6227850B1 (en) | 1999-05-13 | 2001-05-08 | Align Technology, Inc. | Teeth viewing system |
US6572372B1 (en) | 2000-04-25 | 2003-06-03 | Align Technology, Inc. | Embedded features and methods of a dental appliance |
JP3636662B2 (en) | 1998-11-30 | 2005-04-06 | アライン テクノロジー, インコーポレイテッド | Mounting device and method for dental appliances |
US6406292B1 (en) * | 1999-05-13 | 2002-06-18 | Align Technology, Inc. | System for determining final position of teeth |
US7121825B2 (en) * | 1998-11-30 | 2006-10-17 | Align Technology, Inc. | Tooth positioning appliances and systems |
US6488499B1 (en) * | 2000-04-25 | 2002-12-03 | Align Technology, Inc. | Methods for correcting deviations in preplanned tooth rearrangements |
WO2000033759A1 (en) * | 1998-12-04 | 2000-06-15 | Align Technology, Inc. | Reconfigurable dental model system for fabrication of dental appliances |
US7108508B2 (en) * | 1998-12-04 | 2006-09-19 | Align Technology, Inc. | Manipulable dental model system for fabrication of a dental appliance |
US7357636B2 (en) * | 2002-02-28 | 2008-04-15 | Align Technology, Inc. | Manipulable dental model system for fabrication of a dental appliance |
EP1150618A4 (en) * | 1999-01-15 | 2002-10-16 | Align Technology Inc | System and method for producing tooth movement |
US6318994B1 (en) | 1999-05-13 | 2001-11-20 | Align Technology, Inc | Tooth path treatment plan |
US6602070B2 (en) * | 1999-05-13 | 2003-08-05 | Align Technology, Inc. | Systems and methods for dental treatment planning |
US6648640B2 (en) * | 1999-11-30 | 2003-11-18 | Ora Metrix, Inc. | Interactive orthodontic care system based on intra-oral scanning of teeth |
US7802987B1 (en) | 1999-12-17 | 2010-09-28 | Align Technology, Inc. | Methods and systems for lubricating dental appliances |
US7373286B2 (en) | 2000-02-17 | 2008-05-13 | Align Technology, Inc. | Efficient data representation of teeth model |
US6633789B1 (en) * | 2000-02-17 | 2003-10-14 | Align Technology, Inc. | Effiicient data representation of teeth model |
US7904307B2 (en) | 2000-03-24 | 2011-03-08 | Align Technology, Inc. | Health-care e-commerce systems and methods |
US20020188478A1 (en) | 2000-03-24 | 2002-12-12 | Joe Breeland | Health-care systems and methods |
WO2001074268A1 (en) * | 2000-03-30 | 2001-10-11 | Align Technology, Inc. | System and method for separating three-dimensional models |
US6405729B1 (en) | 2000-04-05 | 2002-06-18 | W. Keith Thornton | Oral appliance for improving breathing and method of constructing same |
US6464924B1 (en) | 2000-04-05 | 2002-10-15 | W. Keith Thornton | Method of forming a custom mask using an impression mask |
US6571798B1 (en) | 2000-04-05 | 2003-06-03 | W. Keith Thornton | Device for improving breathing and method of constructing same |
AU2001255638A1 (en) | 2000-04-25 | 2001-11-07 | Align Technology, Inc. | Systems and methods for dental treatment planning |
US6454565B2 (en) * | 2000-04-25 | 2002-09-24 | Align Technology, Inc. | Systems and methods for varying elastic modulus appliances |
WO2001082192A1 (en) | 2000-04-25 | 2001-11-01 | Align Technology, Inc. | Treatment analysis systems and methods |
US6582229B1 (en) * | 2000-04-25 | 2003-06-24 | Align Technology, Inc. | Methods for modeling bite registration |
US6947038B1 (en) | 2000-04-27 | 2005-09-20 | Align Technology, Inc. | Systems and methods for generating an appliance with tie points |
US7245977B1 (en) | 2000-07-20 | 2007-07-17 | Align Technology, Inc. | Systems and methods for mass customization |
US7383198B1 (en) | 2000-07-24 | 2008-06-03 | Align Technology, Inc. | Delivery information systems and methods |
US7092784B1 (en) | 2000-07-28 | 2006-08-15 | Align Technology | Systems and methods for forming an object |
US6386878B1 (en) | 2000-08-16 | 2002-05-14 | Align Technology, Inc. | Systems and methods for removing gingiva from teeth |
US7040896B2 (en) | 2000-08-16 | 2006-05-09 | Align Technology, Inc. | Systems and methods for removing gingiva from computer tooth models |
KR100379987B1 (en) * | 2000-08-25 | 2003-04-16 | 조재형 | Convertable resin core system for positioning a bracket at a predetermined point of tooth surface |
US6497574B1 (en) * | 2000-09-08 | 2002-12-24 | Align Technology, Inc. | Modified tooth positioning appliances and methods and systems for their manufacture |
US6607382B1 (en) * | 2000-09-21 | 2003-08-19 | Align Technology, Inc. | Methods and systems for concurrent tooth repositioning and substance delivery |
US6726478B1 (en) | 2000-10-30 | 2004-04-27 | Align Technology, Inc. | Systems and methods for bite-setting teeth models |
US7736147B2 (en) | 2000-10-30 | 2010-06-15 | Align Technology, Inc. | Systems and methods for bite-setting teeth models |
US6783360B2 (en) | 2000-12-13 | 2004-08-31 | Align Technology, Inc. | Systems and methods for positioning teeth |
US7074038B1 (en) | 2000-12-29 | 2006-07-11 | Align Technology, Inc. | Methods and systems for treating teeth |
US7580846B2 (en) | 2001-01-09 | 2009-08-25 | Align Technology, Inc. | Method and system for distributing patient referrals |
US6733289B2 (en) * | 2001-07-30 | 2004-05-11 | 3M Innovative Properties Company | Method and apparatus for selecting a prescription for an orthodontic brace |
US20040202983A1 (en) * | 2001-09-28 | 2004-10-14 | Align Technology, Inc. | Method and kits for forming pontics in polymeric shell aligners |
US7771195B2 (en) * | 2001-10-29 | 2010-08-10 | Align Technology, Inc. | Polar attachment devices and method for a dental appliance |
US6767208B2 (en) | 2002-01-10 | 2004-07-27 | Align Technology, Inc. | System and method for positioning teeth |
US6830450B2 (en) | 2002-04-18 | 2004-12-14 | Align Technology, Inc. | Systems and methods for improved engagement between aligners and teeth |
WO2003092563A2 (en) | 2002-05-01 | 2003-11-13 | Thornton Keith W | Device for improving a user's breathing |
US20030207227A1 (en) * | 2002-05-02 | 2003-11-06 | Align Technology, Inc. | Systems and methods for treating patients |
US6790036B2 (en) * | 2002-05-23 | 2004-09-14 | Neil John Graham | Orthodontic tooth repositioner |
US8870566B2 (en) * | 2002-05-28 | 2014-10-28 | Ortho-Tain, Inc. | Orthodontic appliance, a system and a method for automatically straightening teeth |
US7255558B2 (en) | 2002-06-18 | 2007-08-14 | Cadent, Ltd. | Dental imaging instrument having air stream auxiliary |
US6979196B2 (en) * | 2002-06-21 | 2005-12-27 | Align Technology, Inc. | Systems and methods for automated bite-setting of tooth models |
US20040243361A1 (en) * | 2002-08-19 | 2004-12-02 | Align Technology, Inc. | Systems and methods for providing mass customization |
US7077647B2 (en) * | 2002-08-22 | 2006-07-18 | Align Technology, Inc. | Systems and methods for treatment analysis by teeth matching |
US7156661B2 (en) * | 2002-08-22 | 2007-01-02 | Align Technology, Inc. | Systems and methods for treatment analysis by teeth matching |
US20040152036A1 (en) * | 2002-09-10 | 2004-08-05 | Amir Abolfathi | Architecture for treating teeth |
US20040197728A1 (en) * | 2002-09-10 | 2004-10-07 | Amir Abolfathi | Architecture for treating teeth |
GB0221281D0 (en) * | 2002-09-13 | 2002-10-23 | Burnley Healthcare Nhs Trust | Dental appliance retention device |
EP2465464B1 (en) | 2002-10-03 | 2018-08-22 | Align Technology, Inc. | A method for preparing a physical model |
US20040067463A1 (en) * | 2002-10-04 | 2004-04-08 | Farel Rosenberg | Computer programmed system for orthodontic correction of malocclusions utilizing snap-on features |
US6857428B2 (en) | 2002-10-24 | 2005-02-22 | W. Keith Thornton | Custom fitted mask and method of forming same |
AU2003300135B2 (en) | 2002-12-31 | 2009-07-16 | D4D Technologies, Llc | Laser digitizer system for dental applications |
US7600999B2 (en) * | 2003-02-26 | 2009-10-13 | Align Technology, Inc. | Systems and methods for fabricating a dental template |
US20040166462A1 (en) * | 2003-02-26 | 2004-08-26 | Align Technology, Inc. | Systems and methods for fabricating a dental template |
US7658610B2 (en) * | 2003-02-26 | 2010-02-09 | Align Technology, Inc. | Systems and methods for fabricating a dental template with a 3-D object placement |
US20040166463A1 (en) * | 2003-02-26 | 2004-08-26 | Align Technology, Inc. | Systems and methods for combination treatments of dental patients |
US7328705B2 (en) | 2003-03-10 | 2008-02-12 | Mark Abramson | Dental appliance for improving airflow through nasal-pharyngeal airway |
CA2519075C (en) | 2003-03-24 | 2008-11-18 | D3D, L.P. | Laser digitizer system for dental applications |
WO2004087000A1 (en) | 2003-04-03 | 2004-10-14 | Cadent Ltd. | Method and system for fabricating a dental coping, and a coping fabricated thereby |
US7020963B2 (en) * | 2003-05-02 | 2006-04-04 | 3M Innovative Properties Company | Method and apparatus for indirect bonding of orthodontic appliances |
WO2004100068A2 (en) | 2003-05-05 | 2004-11-18 | D3D, L.P. | Optical coherence tomography imaging |
US7648360B2 (en) * | 2003-07-01 | 2010-01-19 | Align Technology, Inc. | Dental appliance sequence ordering system and method |
US7030383B2 (en) | 2003-08-04 | 2006-04-18 | Cadent Ltd. | Speckle reduction method and apparatus |
US7342668B2 (en) * | 2003-09-17 | 2008-03-11 | D4D Technologies, Llc | High speed multiple line three-dimensional digitalization |
JP4530636B2 (en) * | 2003-10-06 | 2010-08-25 | アーサー ローゼンバーク ファレル | Computer program system for correcting malocclusions using snap style |
US7361020B2 (en) * | 2003-11-19 | 2008-04-22 | Align Technology, Inc. | Dental tray containing radiopaque materials |
US20050182654A1 (en) * | 2004-02-14 | 2005-08-18 | Align Technology, Inc. | Systems and methods for providing treatment planning |
US7333874B2 (en) | 2004-02-24 | 2008-02-19 | Cadent Ltd. | Method and system for designing and producing dental prostheses and appliances |
US20050186524A1 (en) * | 2004-02-24 | 2005-08-25 | Align Technology, Inc. | Arch expander |
US9492245B2 (en) | 2004-02-27 | 2016-11-15 | Align Technology, Inc. | Method and system for providing dynamic orthodontic assessment and treatment profiles |
US8874452B2 (en) | 2004-02-27 | 2014-10-28 | Align Technology, Inc. | Method and system for providing dynamic orthodontic assessment and treatment profiles |
US7904308B2 (en) | 2006-04-18 | 2011-03-08 | Align Technology, Inc. | Method and system for providing indexing and cataloguing of orthodontic related treatment profiles and options |
US11298209B2 (en) | 2004-02-27 | 2022-04-12 | Align Technology, Inc. | Method and system for providing dynamic orthodontic assessment and treatment profiles |
ES2627430T3 (en) * | 2004-03-04 | 2017-07-28 | Align Technology, Inc. | Orthodontic Union Template |
FR2867377A1 (en) * | 2004-03-11 | 2005-09-16 | Vetea Miklus | A support for the simultaneous positioning of a number of orthodontic attachments comprises an incorporated thread which may be pulled to cut the support and facilitate its removal |
US7241142B2 (en) * | 2004-03-19 | 2007-07-10 | Align Technology, Inc. | Root-based tooth moving sequencing |
EP1871276B1 (en) * | 2004-03-25 | 2012-05-02 | Dror Ortho-Design Ltd. | Orthodontic appliance |
US8260591B2 (en) * | 2004-04-29 | 2012-09-04 | Align Technology, Inc. | Dynamically specifying a view |
US20050244791A1 (en) * | 2004-04-29 | 2005-11-03 | Align Technology, Inc. | Interproximal reduction treatment planning |
US7153130B2 (en) * | 2004-06-10 | 2006-12-26 | 3M Innovative Properties Company | Orthodontic appliance with removable insert |
US20050277084A1 (en) * | 2004-06-10 | 2005-12-15 | 3M Innovative Properties Company | Orthodontic brace with polymeric arch member |
DE102005015376B4 (en) * | 2004-06-16 | 2012-04-19 | Hager & Werken Gmbh & Co Kg | Lattice arches, perforated and unperforated bow bands that are attached by means of adhesive technique for splinting anterior teeth and producing temporary anterior tooth replacement on existing teeth |
DE602005004332T2 (en) | 2004-06-17 | 2009-01-08 | Cadent Ltd. | Method for providing data related to the oral cavity |
KR200362377Y1 (en) * | 2004-06-25 | 2004-09-23 | 전언국 | Low frequency stimulator for gums |
US8899976B2 (en) | 2004-09-24 | 2014-12-02 | Align Technology, Inc. | Release agent receptacle |
US7309230B2 (en) | 2004-12-14 | 2007-12-18 | Align Technology, Inc. | Preventing interference between tooth models |
US20060093982A1 (en) * | 2004-11-02 | 2006-05-04 | Huafeng Wen | Method and apparatus for manufacturing and constructing a dental aligner |
US20060093993A1 (en) * | 2004-11-02 | 2006-05-04 | Huafeng Wen | Producing a base for physical dental arch model |
US7922490B2 (en) | 2004-12-14 | 2011-04-12 | Align Technology, Inc. | Base for physical dental arch model |
US20060093987A1 (en) * | 2004-11-02 | 2006-05-04 | Huafeng Wen | Producing an adjustable physical dental arch model |
US20060199142A1 (en) * | 2005-03-07 | 2006-09-07 | Liu Frank Z | Dental aligner for providing accurate dental treatment |
US7335024B2 (en) * | 2005-02-03 | 2008-02-26 | Align Technology, Inc. | Methods for producing non-interfering tooth models |
US7384266B2 (en) * | 2004-11-02 | 2008-06-10 | Align Technology, Inc. | Method and apparatus for manufacturing and constructing a physical dental arch model |
US20070092853A1 (en) * | 2005-10-24 | 2007-04-26 | Liu Frank Z | Multi-layer casting methods and devices |
US8636513B2 (en) | 2004-12-14 | 2014-01-28 | Align Technology, Inc. | Fabricating a base compatible with physical tooth models |
US7357634B2 (en) * | 2004-11-05 | 2008-04-15 | Align Technology, Inc. | Systems and methods for substituting virtual dental appliances |
US20060099545A1 (en) * | 2004-11-08 | 2006-05-11 | 3M Innovative Properties Company | Methods of orthodontic treatment |
US20060097422A1 (en) * | 2004-11-08 | 2006-05-11 | Diamond Andrew J | Method for performing surgery and appliances produced thereby |
US7234936B2 (en) * | 2004-11-08 | 2007-06-26 | 3M Innovative Properties Company | Orthodontic systems with resilient appliances |
US20060105284A1 (en) * | 2004-11-15 | 2006-05-18 | Wilburn Judith A | Orthodontic positioner and method of manufacturing same |
US7862336B2 (en) | 2004-11-26 | 2011-01-04 | Cadent Ltd. | Method and system for providing feedback data useful in prosthodontic procedures associated with the intra oral cavity |
US20060115785A1 (en) | 2004-11-30 | 2006-06-01 | Chunhua Li | Systems and methods for intra-oral drug delivery |
US7236842B2 (en) | 2004-12-02 | 2007-06-26 | Cadent Ltd. | System and method for manufacturing a dental prosthesis and a dental prosthesis manufactured thereby |
US7819659B2 (en) | 2005-04-25 | 2010-10-26 | Align Technology, Inc. | System for organizing dental aligners |
US7448514B2 (en) * | 2005-02-03 | 2008-11-11 | Align Technology, Inc. | Storage system for dental devices |
US7286954B2 (en) | 2005-03-03 | 2007-10-23 | Cadent Ltd. | System and method for scanning an intraoral cavity |
US8684729B2 (en) * | 2005-03-07 | 2014-04-01 | Align Technology, Inc. | Disposable dental aligner |
US8337199B2 (en) * | 2005-03-07 | 2012-12-25 | Align Technology, Inc. | Fluid permeable dental aligner |
EP2932935B1 (en) | 2005-03-07 | 2018-07-18 | Align Technology, Inc. | Method of producing fluid-permeable dental aligners |
US7831322B2 (en) * | 2005-03-07 | 2010-11-09 | Align Technology, Inc. | Producing wrinkled dental aligner for dental treatment |
US7374421B2 (en) * | 2005-03-31 | 2008-05-20 | Frederick Solomon | System and method for improved control of tooth movement with elastic repositioning appliances |
US20060275731A1 (en) | 2005-04-29 | 2006-12-07 | Orthoclear Holdings, Inc. | Treatment of teeth by aligners |
US7555403B2 (en) | 2005-07-15 | 2009-06-30 | Cadent Ltd. | Method for manipulating a dental virtual model, method for creating physical entities based on a dental virtual model thus manipulated, and dental models thus created |
US9529970B2 (en) * | 2006-02-28 | 2016-12-27 | Ormco Corporation | Software and methods for dental treatment planning |
ATE468081T1 (en) * | 2006-03-28 | 2010-06-15 | Panasonic Elec Works Co Ltd | ORTHODONTIC DEVICE |
EP2000110B1 (en) * | 2006-03-28 | 2013-08-28 | Panasonic Corporation | Dentition correcting device |
US8316857B2 (en) | 2006-04-06 | 2012-11-27 | Airway Technologies, Llc | Oral appliance for treating a breathing condition |
US8316858B2 (en) | 2006-04-06 | 2012-11-27 | Airway Technologies, Llc | System for coupling an oral appliance to a medical mask |
US7748386B2 (en) | 2006-04-06 | 2010-07-06 | Thornton W Keith | Oral appliance for treating a breathing condition |
DE102006020010B4 (en) * | 2006-04-26 | 2010-09-23 | Halke, Gunter, Dr. | Method for producing a tooth-regulating device |
US8236216B2 (en) | 2006-07-06 | 2012-08-07 | Airway Technologies, Llc | System and method for forming a custom medical mask using an orientation device |
US8874251B2 (en) | 2006-07-06 | 2014-10-28 | Airway Technologies, Llc | System and method for forming a custom medical mask from a three-dimensional electronic model |
US7677889B2 (en) | 2006-08-07 | 2010-03-16 | Thornton W Keith | Device and method for forming a custom oral appliance |
US8038444B2 (en) | 2006-08-30 | 2011-10-18 | Align Technology, Inc. | Automated treatment staging for teeth |
US9326831B2 (en) | 2006-10-20 | 2016-05-03 | Align Technology, Inc. | System and method for positioning three-dimensional brackets on teeth |
US8020276B2 (en) | 2006-11-30 | 2011-09-20 | Airway Technologies, Llc | System and method for custom-orienting a medical mask to an oral appliance |
US7878805B2 (en) | 2007-05-25 | 2011-02-01 | Align Technology, Inc. | Tabbed dental appliance |
US8591225B2 (en) | 2008-12-12 | 2013-11-26 | Align Technology, Inc. | Tooth movement measurement by automatic impression matching |
US9060829B2 (en) | 2007-06-08 | 2015-06-23 | Align Technology, Inc. | Systems and method for management and delivery of orthodontic treatment |
US10342638B2 (en) | 2007-06-08 | 2019-07-09 | Align Technology, Inc. | Treatment planning and progress tracking systems and methods |
US8562338B2 (en) | 2007-06-08 | 2013-10-22 | Align Technology, Inc. | Treatment progress tracking and recalibration |
US8075306B2 (en) | 2007-06-08 | 2011-12-13 | Align Technology, Inc. | System and method for detecting deviations during the course of an orthodontic treatment to gradually reposition teeth |
AU2008292857B2 (en) * | 2007-08-31 | 2013-03-14 | Ultradent Products, Inc. | Dental treatment trays comprising silicone or other elastomeric material |
US20100028829A1 (en) | 2008-07-31 | 2010-02-04 | Ultradent Products, Inc. | Chemically activated dental bleaching trays |
US8202091B2 (en) * | 2007-08-31 | 2012-06-19 | Ultradent Products, Inc. | Dental treatment trays comprising silicone elastomeric material |
US20090087808A1 (en) * | 2007-09-28 | 2009-04-02 | Reika Ortho Technologies, Inc. | Methods And Systems For Moving Teeth |
US20090087812A1 (en) * | 2007-10-02 | 2009-04-02 | Ultradent Products, Inc. | Self-customizable dental treatment trays |
US8738394B2 (en) | 2007-11-08 | 2014-05-27 | Eric E. Kuo | Clinical data file |
US7914283B2 (en) | 2007-12-06 | 2011-03-29 | Align Technology, Inc. | Activatable dental appliance |
US8439672B2 (en) | 2008-01-29 | 2013-05-14 | Align Technology, Inc. | Method and system for optimizing dental aligner geometry |
US8899977B2 (en) | 2008-01-29 | 2014-12-02 | Align Technology, Inc. | Orthodontic repositioning appliances having improved geometry, methods and systems |
US8108189B2 (en) | 2008-03-25 | 2012-01-31 | Align Technologies, Inc. | Reconstruction of non-visible part of tooth |
US9492243B2 (en) | 2008-05-23 | 2016-11-15 | Align Technology, Inc. | Dental implant positioning |
US9119691B2 (en) | 2008-05-23 | 2015-09-01 | Align Technology, Inc. | Orthodontic tooth movement device, systems and methods |
US8092215B2 (en) | 2008-05-23 | 2012-01-10 | Align Technology, Inc. | Smile designer |
EP2282697B1 (en) * | 2008-06-02 | 2016-12-14 | DENTSPLY International Inc. | Methods for designing a customized dental prosthesis using digital images of a patient |
US8172569B2 (en) | 2008-06-12 | 2012-05-08 | Align Technology, Inc. | Dental appliance |
WO2010001401A1 (en) | 2008-07-03 | 2010-01-07 | Cadent Ltd. | Method, apparatus and system for use in dental procedures |
US8509932B2 (en) | 2008-07-17 | 2013-08-13 | Cadent Ltd. | Methods, systems and accessories useful for procedures relating to dental implants |
US20100055635A1 (en) | 2008-09-02 | 2010-03-04 | Align Technology, Inc. | Shape engineered aligner - auto shaping |
US8152518B2 (en) | 2008-10-08 | 2012-04-10 | Align Technology, Inc. | Dental positioning appliance having metallic portion |
WO2010059988A1 (en) | 2008-11-20 | 2010-05-27 | Align Technology, Inc. | Orthodontic systems and methods including parametric attachments |
US20100129763A1 (en) | 2008-11-24 | 2010-05-27 | Align Technology, Inc. | Sequential sports guard |
US8936463B2 (en) | 2008-11-24 | 2015-01-20 | Align Technology, Inc. | Dental appliance with simulated teeth and method for making |
US8401686B2 (en) | 2008-12-18 | 2013-03-19 | Align Technology, Inc. | Reduced registration bonding template |
US9642678B2 (en) | 2008-12-30 | 2017-05-09 | Align Technology, Inc. | Method and system for dental visualization |
US8382474B2 (en) | 2008-12-31 | 2013-02-26 | Cadent Ltd. | Dental articulator |
US8936464B2 (en) | 2009-02-24 | 2015-01-20 | Cadent Ltd. | Method, system and model for indirect bonding |
US8607796B2 (en) | 2009-02-27 | 2013-12-17 | Airway Technologies, Llc | Apparatus and method for coupling an oral appliance to a gas delivery device |
US8292617B2 (en) | 2009-03-19 | 2012-10-23 | Align Technology, Inc. | Dental wire attachment |
US20100279245A1 (en) * | 2009-05-04 | 2010-11-04 | Navarro Carlos F | Removable Orthodontic Appliance and Method of Forming the Same |
US8356993B1 (en) * | 2009-07-06 | 2013-01-22 | Marston Blake E | Orthodontic appliance system |
US8256426B2 (en) | 2009-08-12 | 2012-09-04 | Abramson Mark E | Modular dental appliance for improving airflow through nasal-pharyngeal airway |
US8765031B2 (en) | 2009-08-13 | 2014-07-01 | Align Technology, Inc. | Method of forming a dental appliance |
US8573224B2 (en) | 2009-10-16 | 2013-11-05 | Airway Technologies, Llc | Custom-molded oral appliance and method of forming |
US8708697B2 (en) | 2009-12-08 | 2014-04-29 | Align Technology, Inc. | Tactile objects for orthodontics, systems and methods |
DE202010001323U1 (en) | 2010-01-26 | 2010-04-15 | Halbich, Thomas | System for positioning orthodontic brackets |
US9211166B2 (en) | 2010-04-30 | 2015-12-15 | Align Technology, Inc. | Individualized orthodontic treatment index |
US9241774B2 (en) | 2010-04-30 | 2016-01-26 | Align Technology, Inc. | Patterned dental positioning appliance |
US20110269092A1 (en) | 2010-04-30 | 2011-11-03 | Align Technology, Inc. | Reinforced aligner hooks |
DK2596477T3 (en) | 2010-07-19 | 2021-03-08 | Align Technology Inc | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR CREATING AND INTERACTING WITH THREE DIMENSIONAL VIRTUAL MODELS |
WO2012095851A2 (en) | 2011-01-13 | 2012-07-19 | Cadent Ltd. | Methods, systems and accessories useful for procedures relating to dental implants |
US8671946B2 (en) | 2011-04-05 | 2014-03-18 | Airway Technologies, Llc | Custom dental appliance and method of creating a custom dental appliance |
WO2012138459A1 (en) | 2011-04-05 | 2012-10-11 | Airway Technologies, Llc | Oral appliance for treating particular disorders associated with sleep |
US8783261B2 (en) | 2011-04-05 | 2014-07-22 | Airway Technologies, Llc | Apparatus for prevention of snoring and improved breathing |
US8662084B2 (en) | 2011-04-05 | 2014-03-04 | Airway Technologies, Llc | Universal oral appliance with a universal coupler |
US9108338B2 (en) | 2011-04-13 | 2015-08-18 | Align Technology, Inc. | Methods and systems for thermal forming an object |
DE102011053533B4 (en) * | 2011-05-12 | 2017-08-24 | Bernhard Förster Gmbh | A method of assembling a set of devices for correcting a malocclusion of a dentition and a set of devices for correcting the malocclusion |
US9125709B2 (en) | 2011-07-29 | 2015-09-08 | Align Technology, Inc. | Systems and methods for tracking teeth movement during orthodontic treatment |
US9403238B2 (en) | 2011-09-21 | 2016-08-02 | Align Technology, Inc. | Laser cutting |
US8641414B2 (en) | 2011-10-10 | 2014-02-04 | Align Technology, Inc. | Automatic placement of precision cuts |
US9375300B2 (en) | 2012-02-02 | 2016-06-28 | Align Technology, Inc. | Identifying forces on a tooth |
US9022781B2 (en) | 2012-02-15 | 2015-05-05 | Align Technology, Inc. | Orthodontic appliances that accommodate incremental and continuous tooth movement, systems and methods |
US9375298B2 (en) | 2012-02-21 | 2016-06-28 | Align Technology, Inc. | Dental models and related methods |
US9220580B2 (en) | 2012-03-01 | 2015-12-29 | Align Technology, Inc. | Determining a dental treatment difficulty |
US9655691B2 (en) | 2012-05-14 | 2017-05-23 | Align Technology, Inc. | Multilayer dental appliances and related methods and systems |
US9414897B2 (en) | 2012-05-22 | 2016-08-16 | Align Technology, Inc. | Adjustment of tooth position in a virtual dental model |
US20140067334A1 (en) | 2012-09-06 | 2014-03-06 | Align Technology Inc. | Method and a system usable in creating a subsequent dental appliance |
US8986003B2 (en) | 2012-09-13 | 2015-03-24 | Orthoaccel Technologies, Inc. | Pearlescent white aligners |
WO2014070920A1 (en) | 2012-10-30 | 2014-05-08 | University Of Southern California | Orthodontic appliance with snap fitted, non-sliding archwire |
US9668829B2 (en) | 2012-12-19 | 2017-06-06 | Align Technology, Inc. | Methods and systems for dental procedures |
US10617489B2 (en) | 2012-12-19 | 2020-04-14 | Align Technology, Inc. | Creating a digital dental model of a patient's teeth using interproximal information |
US9393087B2 (en) | 2013-08-01 | 2016-07-19 | Align Technology, Inc. | Methods and systems for generating color images |
US20150132707A1 (en) * | 2013-09-11 | 2015-05-14 | Ormco Corporation | Braces to aligner transition in orthodontic treatment |
US9937018B2 (en) * | 2013-12-11 | 2018-04-10 | Martin G. Martz | Tooth positioning appliance with curved interconnecting elements |
US10555792B2 (en) | 2014-01-31 | 2020-02-11 | Align Technology, Inc. | Direct fabrication of orthodontic appliances with elastics |
JP6422502B2 (en) | 2014-01-31 | 2018-11-14 | アライン テクノロジー, インコーポレイテッド | Orthodontic appliance having an elastic body |
US10299894B2 (en) | 2014-02-21 | 2019-05-28 | Align Technology, Inc. | Treatment plan specific bite adjustment structures |
US10537406B2 (en) | 2014-02-21 | 2020-01-21 | Align Technology, Inc. | Dental appliance with repositioning jaw elements |
US9844424B2 (en) | 2014-02-21 | 2017-12-19 | Align Technology, Inc. | Dental appliance with repositioning jaw elements |
EP3119347B1 (en) | 2014-03-21 | 2023-06-07 | Align Technology, Inc. | Segmented orthodontic appliance with elastics |
US9943386B2 (en) * | 2014-05-21 | 2018-04-17 | Align Technology, Inc. | Mold with weakened areas |
US10016262B2 (en) | 2014-06-16 | 2018-07-10 | Align Technology, Inc. | Unitary dental model |
TWM495832U (en) * | 2014-06-19 | 2015-02-21 | Densmart Dental Co Ltd | Orthodontic appliance for orthodontic bracket |
EP3875053A1 (en) | 2014-06-20 | 2021-09-08 | Align Technology, Inc. | Aligners with elastic layer |
EP3871633A1 (en) | 2014-06-20 | 2021-09-01 | Align Technology, Inc. | Elastic-coated orthodontic appliance |
US9261356B2 (en) | 2014-07-03 | 2016-02-16 | Align Technology, Inc. | Confocal surface topography measurement with fixed focal positions |
US9439568B2 (en) | 2014-07-03 | 2016-09-13 | Align Technology, Inc. | Apparatus and method for measuring surface topography optically |
US9261358B2 (en) | 2014-07-03 | 2016-02-16 | Align Technology, Inc. | Chromatic confocal system |
US10772506B2 (en) | 2014-07-07 | 2020-09-15 | Align Technology, Inc. | Apparatus for dental confocal imaging |
US9693839B2 (en) | 2014-07-17 | 2017-07-04 | Align Technology, Inc. | Probe head and apparatus for intraoral confocal imaging using polarization-retarding coatings |
US9675430B2 (en) | 2014-08-15 | 2017-06-13 | Align Technology, Inc. | Confocal imaging apparatus with curved focal surface |
US9724177B2 (en) | 2014-08-19 | 2017-08-08 | Align Technology, Inc. | Viewfinder with real-time tracking for intraoral scanning |
US9700385B2 (en) * | 2014-08-22 | 2017-07-11 | Alitn Technology, Inc. | Attachment structure |
US11426304B2 (en) | 2014-08-25 | 2022-08-30 | Airway Technologies, Llc | Oral appliance |
US10376408B2 (en) | 2014-08-25 | 2019-08-13 | Airway Technologies, Llc | Oral appliance |
US9660418B2 (en) | 2014-08-27 | 2017-05-23 | Align Technology, Inc. | VCSEL based low coherence emitter for confocal 3D scanner |
US9610141B2 (en) | 2014-09-19 | 2017-04-04 | Align Technology, Inc. | Arch expanding appliance |
US10449016B2 (en) | 2014-09-19 | 2019-10-22 | Align Technology, Inc. | Arch adjustment appliance |
CN104287853B (en) * | 2014-10-12 | 2016-02-10 | 梁敦尧 | A kind of tooth model |
US9744001B2 (en) | 2014-11-13 | 2017-08-29 | Align Technology, Inc. | Dental appliance with cavity for an unerupted or erupting tooth |
US11147652B2 (en) | 2014-11-13 | 2021-10-19 | Align Technology, Inc. | Method for tracking, predicting, and proactively correcting malocclusion and related issues |
KR101641497B1 (en) * | 2014-11-21 | 2016-07-21 | 조선대학교산학협력단 | Mould type jig for bonding orthodontic tube, mould type jig and bonding method of orthodontic tube |
CN107106260A (en) | 2014-12-30 | 2017-08-29 | 3M创新有限公司 | The dental instrument of the occlusal surface of exposure is provided |
US20160193014A1 (en) | 2015-01-05 | 2016-07-07 | Align Technology, Inc. | Method to modify aligner by modifying tooth position |
US10588776B2 (en) | 2015-01-13 | 2020-03-17 | Align Technology, Inc. | Systems, methods, and devices for applying distributed forces for mandibular advancement |
US10537463B2 (en) | 2015-01-13 | 2020-01-21 | Align Technology, Inc. | Systems and methods for positioning a patient's mandible in response to sleep apnea status |
US10517701B2 (en) | 2015-01-13 | 2019-12-31 | Align Technology, Inc. | Mandibular advancement and retraction via bone anchoring devices |
US10504386B2 (en) | 2015-01-27 | 2019-12-10 | Align Technology, Inc. | Training method and system for oral-cavity-imaging-and-modeling equipment |
CA2976592A1 (en) | 2015-02-23 | 2016-09-01 | Align Technology, Inc. | Primer aligner stages for lag issue resolution in low-stage clear aligner treatments |
EP4241726A3 (en) | 2015-02-23 | 2023-12-13 | Align Technology, Inc. | System and method to manufacture aligner by modifying tooth position |
US11850111B2 (en) | 2015-04-24 | 2023-12-26 | Align Technology, Inc. | Comparative orthodontic treatment planning tool |
US11576750B2 (en) | 2015-07-07 | 2023-02-14 | Align Technology, Inc. | Direct fabrication of aligners for arch expansion |
US10492888B2 (en) | 2015-07-07 | 2019-12-03 | Align Technology, Inc. | Dental materials using thermoset polymers |
US10201409B2 (en) | 2015-07-07 | 2019-02-12 | Align Technology, Inc. | Dental appliance having ornamental design |
US11045282B2 (en) | 2015-07-07 | 2021-06-29 | Align Technology, Inc. | Direct fabrication of aligners with interproximal force coupling |
US10743964B2 (en) | 2015-07-07 | 2020-08-18 | Align Technology, Inc. | Dual aligner assembly |
US20170007359A1 (en) | 2015-07-07 | 2017-01-12 | Align Technology, Inc. | Direct fabrication of orthodontic appliances with variable properties |
US11642194B2 (en) | 2015-07-07 | 2023-05-09 | Align Technology, Inc. | Multi-material aligners |
US10248883B2 (en) | 2015-08-20 | 2019-04-02 | Align Technology, Inc. | Photograph-based assessment of dental treatments and procedures |
AU2016321226B2 (en) | 2015-09-08 | 2021-08-12 | Andrew S. MARTZ | Tooth-positioning appliance, systems and methods of producing and using the same |
SG10201507738SA (en) * | 2015-09-17 | 2017-04-27 | Wisebrace Pte Ltd | 3D Printed Fixed-Removable Orthodontic Appliance |
US10548690B2 (en) | 2015-10-07 | 2020-02-04 | uLab Systems, Inc. | Orthodontic planning systems |
US10631953B2 (en) | 2015-10-07 | 2020-04-28 | uLab Systems, Inc. | Three-dimensional printed dental appliances using support structures |
US10624717B2 (en) | 2015-10-07 | 2020-04-21 | Ulab Systems Inc. | Tooth modeling system |
US11583365B2 (en) | 2015-10-07 | 2023-02-21 | uLab Systems, Inc. | System and methods for tooth movement as a flock |
US10335250B2 (en) | 2015-10-07 | 2019-07-02 | uLab Systems, Inc. | Three-dimensional printed dental appliances using lattices |
US10357336B2 (en) | 2015-10-07 | 2019-07-23 | uLab Systems, Inc. | Systems and methods for fabricating dental appliances or shells |
US11554000B2 (en) | 2015-11-12 | 2023-01-17 | Align Technology, Inc. | Dental attachment formation structure |
US11931222B2 (en) | 2015-11-12 | 2024-03-19 | Align Technology, Inc. | Dental attachment formation structures |
US11596502B2 (en) | 2015-12-09 | 2023-03-07 | Align Technology, Inc. | Dental attachment placement structure |
US11103330B2 (en) | 2015-12-09 | 2021-08-31 | Align Technology, Inc. | Dental attachment placement structure |
KR101676584B1 (en) * | 2015-12-18 | 2016-11-15 | 이민정 | Clear aligner system |
US10045835B2 (en) | 2016-02-17 | 2018-08-14 | Align Technology, Inc. | Variable direction tooth attachments |
US10383705B2 (en) | 2016-06-17 | 2019-08-20 | Align Technology, Inc. | Orthodontic appliance performance monitor |
US10470847B2 (en) | 2016-06-17 | 2019-11-12 | Align Technology, Inc. | Intraoral appliances with sensing |
US10881487B2 (en) * | 2016-06-30 | 2021-01-05 | Align Technology, Inc. | Insertable and prefabricated attachments for an oral appliance |
US10507087B2 (en) | 2016-07-27 | 2019-12-17 | Align Technology, Inc. | Methods and apparatuses for forming a three-dimensional volumetric model of a subject's teeth |
KR102595753B1 (en) | 2016-07-27 | 2023-10-30 | 얼라인 테크널러지, 인크. | Intraoral scanner with dental diagnostics capabilities |
CN109640869A (en) | 2016-08-24 | 2019-04-16 | 阿莱恩技术有限公司 | The method for visualizing rectifier by modifying tooth position and manufacturing rectifier |
US10952821B2 (en) | 2016-09-21 | 2021-03-23 | uLab Systems, Inc. | Combined orthodontic movement of teeth with temporomandibular joint therapy |
US10357342B2 (en) | 2016-09-21 | 2019-07-23 | uLab Systems, Inc. | Digital dental examination and documentation |
WO2018057622A1 (en) * | 2016-09-21 | 2018-03-29 | uLab Systems, Inc. | Combined orthodontic movement of teeth with airway development therapy |
CN113648088B (en) | 2016-11-04 | 2023-08-22 | 阿莱恩技术有限公司 | Method and apparatus for dental imaging |
US11026831B2 (en) | 2016-12-02 | 2021-06-08 | Align Technology, Inc. | Dental appliance features for speech enhancement |
US11376101B2 (en) | 2016-12-02 | 2022-07-05 | Align Technology, Inc. | Force control, stop mechanism, regulating structure of removable arch adjustment appliance |
AU2017366755B2 (en) | 2016-12-02 | 2022-07-28 | Align Technology, Inc. | Methods and apparatuses for customizing rapid palatal expanders using digital models |
EP3547952B1 (en) | 2016-12-02 | 2020-11-04 | Align Technology, Inc. | Palatal expander |
WO2018102588A1 (en) | 2016-12-02 | 2018-06-07 | Swift Health Systems Inc. | Indirect orthodontic bonding systems and methods for bracket placement |
US20190336247A1 (en) * | 2016-12-09 | 2019-11-07 | 3M Innovative Properties Company | Elastomeric orthodontic bracket |
US10548700B2 (en) | 2016-12-16 | 2020-02-04 | Align Technology, Inc. | Dental appliance etch template |
US11166788B2 (en) | 2016-12-19 | 2021-11-09 | Align Technology, Inc. | Aligners with enhanced gable bends |
US11071608B2 (en) | 2016-12-20 | 2021-07-27 | Align Technology, Inc. | Matching assets in 3D treatment plans |
US10456043B2 (en) | 2017-01-12 | 2019-10-29 | Align Technology, Inc. | Compact confocal dental scanning apparatus |
WO2018144634A1 (en) | 2017-01-31 | 2018-08-09 | Swift Health Systems Inc. | Hybrid orthodontic archwires |
US10779718B2 (en) | 2017-02-13 | 2020-09-22 | Align Technology, Inc. | Cheek retractor and mobile device holder |
US10828130B2 (en) | 2017-03-20 | 2020-11-10 | Align Technology, Inc. | Automated 2D/3D integration and lip spline autoplacement |
US10613515B2 (en) | 2017-03-31 | 2020-04-07 | Align Technology, Inc. | Orthodontic appliances including at least partially un-erupted teeth and method of forming them |
US11612458B1 (en) | 2017-03-31 | 2023-03-28 | Swift Health Systems Inc. | Method of tongue preconditioning in preparation for lingual orthodontic treatment |
EP3612129B1 (en) | 2017-04-21 | 2023-10-11 | Swift Health Systems Inc. | Indirect bonding tray having several handles |
US11045283B2 (en) | 2017-06-09 | 2021-06-29 | Align Technology, Inc. | Palatal expander with skeletal anchorage devices |
WO2019005808A1 (en) | 2017-06-26 | 2019-01-03 | Align Technology, Inc. | Biosensor performance indicator for intraoral appliances |
EP4039222A1 (en) | 2017-06-30 | 2022-08-10 | Align Technology, Inc. | Treatment of temperomandibular joint dysfunction with aligner therapy |
US11793606B2 (en) | 2017-06-30 | 2023-10-24 | Align Technology, Inc. | Devices, systems, and methods for dental arch expansion |
US10885521B2 (en) | 2017-07-17 | 2021-01-05 | Align Technology, Inc. | Method and apparatuses for interactive ordering of dental aligners |
WO2019018784A1 (en) | 2017-07-21 | 2019-01-24 | Align Technology, Inc. | Palatal contour anchorage |
US10517482B2 (en) | 2017-07-27 | 2019-12-31 | Align Technology, Inc. | Optical coherence tomography for orthodontic aligners |
CN115462921A (en) | 2017-07-27 | 2022-12-13 | 阿莱恩技术有限公司 | Tooth staining, transparency and glazing |
WO2019035979A1 (en) | 2017-08-15 | 2019-02-21 | Align Technology, Inc. | Buccal corridor assessment and computation |
WO2019036514A1 (en) | 2017-08-17 | 2019-02-21 | Align Technology, Inc. | Systems, methods, and apparatus for correcting malocclusions of teeth |
US11123156B2 (en) | 2017-08-17 | 2021-09-21 | Align Technology, Inc. | Dental appliance compliance monitoring |
US10813720B2 (en) * | 2017-10-05 | 2020-10-27 | Align Technology, Inc. | Interproximal reduction templates |
US11173015B2 (en) * | 2017-10-06 | 2021-11-16 | 3M Innovative Properties Company | Removable dental appliance including spring member |
CN114939001A (en) | 2017-10-27 | 2022-08-26 | 阿莱恩技术有限公司 | Substitute occlusion adjustment structure |
EP3703608B1 (en) | 2017-10-31 | 2023-08-30 | Align Technology, Inc. | Determination of a dental appliance having selective occlusal loading and controlled intercuspation |
CN115252177A (en) | 2017-11-01 | 2022-11-01 | 阿莱恩技术有限公司 | Automated therapy planning |
US11737857B2 (en) | 2017-11-01 | 2023-08-29 | Align Technology, Inc. | Systems and methods for correcting malocclusions of teeth |
WO2019100022A1 (en) | 2017-11-17 | 2019-05-23 | Align Technology, Inc. | Orthodontic retainers |
WO2019108978A1 (en) | 2017-11-30 | 2019-06-06 | Align Technology, Inc. | Sensors for monitoring oral appliances |
WO2019118876A1 (en) | 2017-12-15 | 2019-06-20 | Align Technology, Inc. | Closed loop adaptive orthodontic treatment methods and apparatuses |
US10980613B2 (en) | 2017-12-29 | 2021-04-20 | Align Technology, Inc. | Augmented reality enhancements for dental practitioners |
WO2019147868A1 (en) | 2018-01-26 | 2019-08-01 | Align Technology, Inc. | Visual prosthetic and orthodontic treatment planning |
CA3086553A1 (en) | 2018-01-26 | 2019-08-01 | Align Technology, Inc. | Diagnostic intraoral scanning and tracking |
US10485635B2 (en) | 2018-01-31 | 2019-11-26 | Won Moon | Orthodontic appliance |
US10413386B2 (en) * | 2018-01-31 | 2019-09-17 | Won Moon | Hybrid orthodontic appliance |
US11564778B2 (en) * | 2018-03-07 | 2023-01-31 | TH!NK Innovations, LLC | Orthodontic elastic attachments for use with dental aligners |
US11937991B2 (en) | 2018-03-27 | 2024-03-26 | Align Technology, Inc. | Dental attachment placement structure |
WO2019200008A1 (en) | 2018-04-11 | 2019-10-17 | Align Technology, Inc. | Releasable palatal expanders |
CN117736392A (en) | 2018-05-04 | 2024-03-22 | 阿莱恩技术有限公司 | Curable composition for high Wen Guangke-based photopolymerization process and method of preparing crosslinked polymer therefrom |
US11026766B2 (en) | 2018-05-21 | 2021-06-08 | Align Technology, Inc. | Photo realistic rendering of smile image after treatment |
EP3581143A1 (en) * | 2018-06-12 | 2019-12-18 | 3C | An orthodontic system for the orthodontic treatment of a patient's teeth, a method for the placement of an appliance for the orthodontic treatment of a patient's teeth, and a use of the appliance of such an orthodontic system |
EP3581144A1 (en) * | 2018-06-12 | 2019-12-18 | 3C | A method of manufacturing an orthodontic system |
CA3103632A1 (en) | 2018-06-29 | 2020-01-02 | Align Technology, Inc. | Providing a simulated outcome of dental treatment on a patient |
US11553988B2 (en) | 2018-06-29 | 2023-01-17 | Align Technology, Inc. | Photo of a patient with new simulated smile in an orthodontic treatment review software |
US10835349B2 (en) | 2018-07-20 | 2020-11-17 | Align Technology, Inc. | Parametric blurring of colors for teeth in generated images |
US20200060789A1 (en) * | 2018-08-24 | 2020-02-27 | Rohit C. Sachdeva | Modular orthodontic devices and methods for treatment |
US11478334B2 (en) | 2019-01-03 | 2022-10-25 | Align Technology, Inc. | Systems and methods for nonlinear tooth modeling |
CN116650153A (en) | 2019-01-03 | 2023-08-29 | 阿莱恩技术有限公司 | Automatic appliance design using robust parameter optimization method |
US11779243B2 (en) | 2019-01-07 | 2023-10-10 | Align Technology, Inc. | Customized aligner change indicator |
EP3930622A4 (en) * | 2019-03-01 | 2022-11-16 | Swift Health Systems Inc. | Indirect bonding trays with bite turbo and orthodontic auxiliary integration |
US20200290262A1 (en) * | 2019-03-15 | 2020-09-17 | Align Technology, Inc. | Thermoforming multiple aligners in parallel |
US11642195B2 (en) | 2019-05-14 | 2023-05-09 | Align Technology, Inc. | Visual presentation of gingival line generated based on 3D tooth model |
US11622836B2 (en) | 2019-12-31 | 2023-04-11 | Align Technology, Inc. | Aligner stage analysis to obtain mechanical interactions of aligners and teeth for treatment planning |
US11337780B1 (en) * | 2021-04-19 | 2022-05-24 | Biotech Innovations, Inc. | Clear aligner attachment system and method |
US11478336B1 (en) | 2021-11-15 | 2022-10-25 | Sympal, Inc. | Orthodontic appliances |
Family Cites Families (13)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US2531222A (en) * | 1946-11-25 | 1950-11-21 | Harold D Kesling | Tooth positioning appliance |
US3407500A (en) * | 1966-05-06 | 1968-10-29 | Peter C. Kesling | Tooth positioner |
US3738005A (en) * | 1972-03-22 | 1973-06-12 | M Cohen | Method and apparatus for applying orthodontic brackets and the like |
US3949478A (en) * | 1974-12-27 | 1976-04-13 | Firma Scheu-Dental, Inhaber Rudolf Scheu Herstellung Und Vertrieb Von Dentalbedarf | Process and apparatus for fitting orthodontic brackets to teeth |
US4055895A (en) * | 1976-03-29 | 1977-11-01 | Professional Positioners, Inc. | Intra-oral tooth positioner and process for production thereof |
JPS5358191A (en) * | 1976-11-05 | 1978-05-25 | Osamu Yoshii | Method of producing dental correction treating instrument using silicon resin material |
US4360341A (en) * | 1981-03-16 | 1982-11-23 | Dellinger Eugene L | Orthodontic method for treating malocclusion |
US4559013A (en) * | 1983-05-23 | 1985-12-17 | Amstutz A Keith | Orthodontic shield, orthotic device and musician embouchure aid and method of producing and using same |
US4551096A (en) * | 1983-12-19 | 1985-11-05 | Dellinger Eugene L | Orthodontic apparatus and method for treating malocclusion |
JPS6162785A (en) * | 1984-09-04 | 1986-03-31 | 日本プライブリコ株式会社 | Anchor for lining abrasion-resistant and refractory material |
EP0290248B1 (en) * | 1987-05-05 | 1994-11-30 | Great Lakes Orthodontics, Ltd. | Orthodontic finishing positioner and method of construction |
US4856991A (en) * | 1987-05-05 | 1989-08-15 | Great Lakes Orthodontics, Ltd. | Orthodontic finishing positioner and method of construction |
US4793803A (en) * | 1987-10-08 | 1988-12-27 | Martz Martin G | Removable tooth positioning appliance and method |
-
1988
- 1988-10-06 US US07/254,216 patent/US5055039A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
-
1989
- 1989-09-19 AT AT89117288T patent/ATE170067T1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1989-09-19 ES ES89117288T patent/ES2124211T3/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1989-09-19 DE DE68928796T patent/DE68928796T2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1989-09-19 EP EP89117288A patent/EP0362617B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1989-09-26 CA CA000613204A patent/CA1329500C/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
ES2124211T3 (en) | 1999-02-01 |
DE68928796D1 (en) | 1998-10-01 |
EP0362617B1 (en) | 1998-08-26 |
US5055039A (en) | 1991-10-08 |
DE68928796T2 (en) | 1999-04-29 |
EP0362617A3 (en) | 1991-01-02 |
EP0362617A2 (en) | 1990-04-11 |
ATE170067T1 (en) | 1998-09-15 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
CA1329500C (en) | Orthodontic positioner and methods of making and using same | |
US5186623A (en) | Orthodontic finishing positioner and method of construction | |
US5059118A (en) | Orthodontic finishing positioner and method of construction | |
US4419992A (en) | Occlusal splints and the method of manufacturing the same | |
US4793803A (en) | Removable tooth positioning appliance and method | |
US4591341A (en) | Orthodontic positioner and method of manufacturing same | |
US4360341A (en) | Orthodontic method for treating malocclusion | |
US5267862A (en) | Intraoral appliance | |
JP5815668B2 (en) | Method and apparatus for vacuum forming dental equipment | |
US4557692A (en) | Occlusal splints and the method of manufacturing the same | |
US5961325A (en) | Method and apparatus for fabricating and fitting dentures | |
AU2006334160B2 (en) | Method and apparatus for manufacturing orthodontic appliances | |
US6082995A (en) | Occlusal preform and procedure for producing dental splint appliances | |
CA2223992A1 (en) | Orthopedic incline appliance and method | |
US4175322A (en) | Complete denture prostheses and method of fitting | |
US3429045A (en) | Method and apparatus for making dental mouthpiece | |
EP3348225B1 (en) | Orthodontic apparatus | |
US4059899A (en) | Method for fitting dentures to various jaw positions | |
CA1326383C (en) | Preformed pattern for producing occlusal splints | |
JP2009106686A (en) | Wax denture production method, and standard counter-die for artificial dentition and counter-die for determining occlusion fitting position for use in the method | |
CN105517513B (en) | For reducing the utensil of aging face and/or oral cavity parafunctional activity | |
US4019253A (en) | Means and method for producing custom artificial dentures | |
EP0290248B1 (en) | Orthodontic finishing positioner and method of construction | |
US4983331A (en) | Method for forming a pattern for producing occlusal splints | |
KR20220009059A (en) | Bracket Processing Instrument, Manufacturing Method For The Same, And Dental Mockup For The Same |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
MKEX | Expiry |
Effective date: 20110517 |