CA2571110A1 - Prescribed orthodontic activators - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention is a system to orthodontically correct teeth without changing the bite using clear activators based on more accurate information. This system will anticipate that problem, and diagnostically measure the arch and the teeth therein in order to determine where the professional can reduce the enamel without effecting the bite while improving the inter-arch relationship and creating a path for these blocked out teeth to be corrected. This is done via working first with a prescribed set up model, versus the patient's current condition, and creating an ideal prescribed model digitally or manually, from which prescribed activators can be produced to provide more efficacious results for the patient and the doctor.

Claims (12)

1 A method of orthodontically correcting malposed teeth comprising the steps of:
a. making an impression or scan of the patient's teeth that is used to create a 3D digital or positive mold of the original teeth;

b. sending said mold/impression/scan to a lab that measures the teeth and the total width of each arch and calculates tooth and arch irregularities and size distribution;

c. determining where there are path interferences to tooth movement that must be resolved by enamel reduction;

d. determining which teeth are the ideal teeth to be reduced in each arch to clear interferences;

e. digitally or physically removing the proposed reductions from the teeth prescribed and creating a base line prescriptive model and trays;

f. using a CAD or manual system to determine the desired teeth positioning of the prescribed arches;

g. cutting the teeth on the prescribed model and setting them in an ideal prescribed position; and h. creating an ideal end prescribed model and at least one prescribed progress model.

2. A method as in claim 1 comprising digitally scanning an impression to create a digital model that will be used to create a physical model via 3-D modeling equipment.

3. A method as in claim 1 where a CAD system takes the digital scan and determines where there are path interferences and calculates the ideal method for clearing them using digital calipers and software for tooth analysis and projecting the reductions to the prescribed teeth.

4. A method in claim 3 wherein said system uses Bolton or Michigan tooth analysis.

5. A method in claim 1 using the digitally scanned original prescribed model,and the digitally scanned ideal prescribed model with slenderized computations to create intermediate correctors to overcome the fatigue of the plastic in affecting the total correction.

6. A method as in claim 1, comprising the further steps of facilitating the evaluation of said digital dental models by storing and sharing the digital models.

7. A method as in claim 1, comprising the further step of providing a digital archival service for storage and archiving the physical or digital models for future reference of corrected prescribed patients and that are available through a secure site.

8. A method as in claim 1, further comprising the step of creating a secure system for transferring the results of the physical and digital analysis so that of any treatment parameters can be accessed only as authorized.

9. A method as in claim 1, wherein where the teeth are measured using digital calipers in step b.

10. A method as in claim 4 that employs digital arch reconciliation to determine enamel reduction.

11. A method of orthodontically correcting a patient's malposed teeth by a professional comprising the steps of;

a. making an initial scan or dental impression of the patient's malocclusion that can is used to create a 3D digital or positive physical model;

b. using a computer analysis program to determine the tooth and arch widths and computing any irregularities where enamel reduction is first indicated;

c. digitally or physically reducing said enamel to correct arch and tooth irregularities and clear any interferences;

d. using the initial model to digitally create an ideal prescribed model using a CAD system or a by preparing a physical model;

e. using path analysis digitally or physically to determine intermittent digital or physical models as needed;

f. sending the digital original, prescribed enamel reductions sites and sizes, arch and tooth analysis, initial prescribed model, and any intermittent models or physical models, and the final prescribed model to the dental professional for reference, input, and approval; and, g. creating trays using the prescribed models from an elastic polymeric substance that will be by the used to correct the malocclusion.

12. A process in claim 11 where when said tray is provided with a removable label that shows the intended use date or other indicia.