Method and system for incrementally moving teeth

• US 20040166456A1
• Filed: 08/08/2003
• Published: 08/26/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 06/20/1997
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Align Technology Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Align Technology Incorporated
• Inventors: Wirth, Kelsey, Chishti, Muhammad
• Application Number:
  US10/637,187
• Publication Number:
  US 20040166456A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 433/6
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/466 adapted to display 3D data
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 13/0004 Computer-assisted sizing or machining of dental prostheses
• 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 9/004 Means or methods for taking digitized impressions
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 9/008 Mechanical means or methods, e.g. a contact probe moving over the teeth
• CPC Class Codes: B33Y 50/00 Data acquisition or data processing for additive manufacturing
• CPC Class Codes: B33Y 80/00 Products made by additive manufacturing

Abstract

A system for repositioning teeth comprises a plurality of individual appliances. The appliances are configured to be placed successively on the patient'"'"'s teeth and to incrementally reposition the teeth from an initial tooth arrangement, through a plurality of intermediate tooth arrangements, and to a final tooth arrangement. The system of appliances is usually configured at the outset of treatment so that the patient may progress through treatment without the need to have the treating professional perform each successive step in the procedure.

Claims

1. A system for repositioning teeth, comprising:

a plurality of appliances having geometries selected to progressively reposition the teeth, wherein at least some of the appliances are marked to indicate their order of use.

2. 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:

one or more appliances having geometries selected to progressively reposition the teeth; and

a final appliance having a geometry selected to progressively reposition the teeth to the final tooth arrangement, wherein at least some of the appliances are marked to indicate their order of use.

3. 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; and

a final appliance having a geometry selected to progressively reposition the teeth from the last intermediate arrangement to the final tooth arrangement, wherein at least some of the appliances are marked to indicate their order of use.

4. A system for repositioning teeth, comprising:

one or more appliances having geometries selected to progressively reposition the teeth from to successive intermediate arrangements; and

instructions which set forth that the patient is to wear the appliances in a predetermined order which will progressively move the patient'"'"'s teeth, a package, said package containing said one more appliances, wherein the appliances are provided in a single package to the patient.

5. 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;

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

instructions which set forth that the patient is to wear the individual appliances in a predetermined order which will progressively move the patient'"'"'s teeth toward the final arrangement, a package, said package containing said first appliance, said one more intermediate appliances and said final appliance, wherein the appliances are provided in a single package to the patient.

6. A system for repositioning teeth from a first tooth arrangement to a second tooth arrangement, comprising:

a plurality of appliances having geometries selected to progressively reposition the teeth from the first intermediate arrangement to successive arrangements;

instructions which set forth that the patient is to wear the individual appliances in a predetermined order which will progressively move the patient'"'"'s teeth toward the second arrangement; and

a package containing said appliances, wherein the appliances are provided in a single package to the patient.