Attachment devices and methods for a dental appliance

• US 20040048223A1
• Filed: 09/12/2003
• Published: 03/11/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 06/20/1997
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Align Technology Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Align Technology Incorporated
• Inventors: Phan, Loc X., Miller, Ross J., Chishti, Muhammad Z.
• Granted Patent: US 7,125,248 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 433/24
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 7/00 Orthodontics, i.e. obtaining or maintaining the desired position of teeth, e.g. by straightening, evening, regulating, separating, or by correcting malocclusions
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 7/002 Orthodontic computer assisted systems
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 7/08 Mouthpiece-type retainers or positioners, e.g. for both the lower and upper arch arch-shaped medicament applicators for teeth or gums A61C19/063; mouthguards for protecting the teeth of sportsmen A63B71/085
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 9/00 Impression cups, i.e. impression trays; Impression methods computer-assisted sizing A61C13/0004; instruments for determining occlusion A61C19/05
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 9/0046 Data acquisition means or methods
• CPC Class Codes: B33Y 80/00 Products made by additive manufacturing

Abstract

The present invention provides improved systems and methods for removably attaching a dental positioning appliance to the dental features of a patient during orthodontic treatment. These appliances function by applying force to specific surfaces of the teeth or dental features to cause directed movement. The application of force is improved by the use of one or more attachment devices which may be positioned on the teeth or dental features to provide the appropriate physical features. Specific design and location of these attachment devices may provide newly achievable and/or more effective repositioning forces, anchoring ability and appliance retention. The systems and methods of the present invention provide the design, production and use of such attachment devices with removable dental positioning appliances in orthodontic treatment.

Claims

1. A system for repositioning teeth from an initial tooth arrangement to a final tooth arrangement, said system comprising a plurality of dental incremental position adjustment appliances including:

a first appliance having a geometry selected to reposition the teeth from the initial tooth arrangement to a first intermediate arrangement;

one or more intermediate appliances having geometries selected to progressively reposition the teeth from the first intermediate arrangement to successive intermediate arrangements including a last intermediate arrangement; and

a final appliance having a geometry selected to progressively reposition the teeth from the last intermediate arrangement to the final tooth arrangement,

wherein the appliances comprise polymeric shells having cavities, wherein the cavities of successive shells have different geometries shaped to receive and resiliently reposition teeth from one arrangement to a successive arrangement and wherein at least one appliance includes one or more receptacles each adapted to receive an attachment device.

2. A system as in claim 1, wherein each receptacle is shaped to correspond to the shape of the attachment device wherein the attachment device is preformed.

3. A system as in claim 2, wherein at least one receptacle is shaped to correspond to the shape of the preformed attachment device having a shape of a bump, bead, wedge, hook, clasp, button, snap, spring, lever, rod, tube, coil, or protrusion.

4. A system as in claim 2, wherein at least one receptacle is shaped to correspond to the shape of the preformed attachment device having a shape of an orthodontic bracket or band.

5. A system as in claim 2, wherein the preformed attachment device has a surface adapted for attachment to a surface of a tooth and the receptacle is shaped to hold the attachment device facing the surface outward from the receptacle.

6. A system as in claim 5, wherein the surface carries an adhesive and the receptacle is shaped to hold the attachment device facing the surface with adhesive outward from the receptacle.

7. A system as in claim 1, further comprising a preformed attachment device.

8. A system as in claim 7, wherein the preformed attachment device comprises a bump, bead, wedge, hook, clasp, button, snap, spring, lever, rod, tube, coil, or protrusion.

9. A system as in claim 7, wherein the preformed attachment device comprises an orthodontic bracket or band.

10. A system as in claim 1, wherein each receptacle is shaped to correspond to the shape of the attachment device wherein the attachment device is formed from a polymerizable material.

11. A system as in claim 10, wherein the polymerizable material is positioned on a dental feature with the use of a template to form the attachment device on the dental feature.

12. A system as in claim 11, wherein the polymerizable material is positioned on one or more dental features with the use of a multi-tooth template.

13. A system as in claim 11, wherein the polymerizable material is positioned over one dental feature with the use of a single-tooth template.

14. A system as in claim 10, wherein the polymerizable material is bonded to a dental feature by polymerization.

15. A system as in claim 1, wherein at least some of the appliances include an indicia designating an order in which at least some of the appliances are to be worn by a patient to provide dental treatment.

16. A system as in claim 1, wherein at least one of the appliances is enclosed in a package.

17. A system as in claim 16, wherein a plurality of the appliances are enclosed in a package to be worn in succession by a patient to provide dental treatment.