Polar attachment devices and method for a dental appliance

• US 20040229183A1
• Filed: 06/09/2004
• Published: 11/18/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 10/29/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Align Technology Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Align Technology Incorporated
• Inventors: Phan, Loc X., Knopp, Peter
• Granted Patent: US 7,771,195 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 433/6
• 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 9/0053 Optical means or methods, e.g. scanning the teeth by a laser or light beam
• CPC Class Codes: B33Y 80/00 Products made by additive manufacturing

Abstract

Systems and methods are disclosed for producing a digital model by providing a digital model of a tooth; providing a digital model of at least one attachment device having two or more portions, the digital model of the attachment device having the two or more portions extending through two or more surfaces of the tooth; and positioning the digital model of the attachment device on the digital model of the tooth to produce a combined computerized model.

Claims

1. A method for producing a dental positioning appliance which is removably attachable to at least one dental feature to effect or enhance dental positioning, said method comprising:

providing a mold of dental features wherein the mold has at least one polar attachment device mounted or formed on a surface of the mold, the polar attachment device having at least two portions extending through at least two surfaces of the dental features;

forming the dental appliance over the mold with the attachment device; and

removing the dental appliance from the mold, wherein the appliance has at least two receptacles corresponding to the attachment device and tooth receiving cavities corresponding to the dental features of the mold.

2. A method as in claim 1, wherein the method further comprises:

providing additional structures on the mold of dental features, wherein the appliance has protrusions corresponding to the structures; and

removing the appliance from the mold utilizing the protrusions.

3. A method as in claim 1, wherein the surfaces include buccal and lingual surfaces.

4. A method for producing a digital model, said method comprising:

providing a digital model of at least one dental feature;

providing a digital model of at least one attachment device, the digital model of the attachment device having portions extending through at least two surfaces of the dental feature; and

positioning the digital model of the attachment device on the digital model of the dental feature to produce a combined computerized model.

5. A method for producing a dental positioning appliance which is removably attachable to at least one dental feature to effect or enhance dental positioning, said method comprising:

providing a combined digital model of at least one dental feature having at least one attachment device, the attachment device having at least two portions extending through at least two surfaces of the dental feature;

producing a mold from the combined digital model, wherein the mold has the attachment device on two surfaces of the dental feature;

forming a dental positioning appliance over the mold; and

removing the appliance from the mold, wherein the appliance has at least two receptacles corresponding to the attachment device and cavities corresponding to the dental features.

6. A method as in claim 5, wherein the method further comprises:

providing a digital model of an additional structure; and

positioning the digital model of the additional structure on the digital model of dental features, wherein the appliance has protrusions corresponding to the structures.

7. A method as in claim 5, wherein the method further comprises:

providing a digital model of an additional structure; and

positioning the digital model of the additional structure on the digital model of dental features.

8. A method as in claim 5, wherein the surfaces include lingual and buccal surfaces.

9. A method for moving teeth, said method comprising:

securing a polar attachment device on a dental feature, the polar attachment device having portions extending through at least two surfaces of the dental feature;

removably positioning a first dental positioning appliance over the dental feature wherein the appliance comprises an elastic polymeric shell having a cavity which receives the dental feature and two or more receptacles which receive the polar attachment device; and

removably positioning at least a second dental positioning appliance over the dental feature, wherein the second dental positioning appliance comprises an elastomeric shell having a cavity which receives the dental feature and two or more receptacles which receive the attachment device, wherein at least one of the receptacle and the cavity has a different configuration than that of the first dental positioning appliance.

10. A method as in claim 9, wherein the appliances apply repositioning force to the attachment device.

11. A method as in claim 10, wherein the appliances are anchored with the attachment device and apply a repositioning force to another dental feature.

12. A method as in claim 9, wherein the dental positioning appliances apply an extrusive force to the attachment device.

13. A method as in claim 9, wherein the dental positioning appliances apply a rotational force to the attachment device.

14. A method for producing a digital model, said method comprising:

providing a digital model of a tooth;

providing a digital model of at least one attachment device having two or more portions, the digital model of the attachment device having the two or more portions extending through two or more surfaces of the tooth; and

positioning the digital model of the attachment device on the digital model of the tooth to produce a combined computerized model.

15. A method as in claim 14, wherein one portion extends through a buccal surface of the tooth.

16. A method as in claim 14, wherein one portion extends through a lingual surface of the tooth.

17. A method as in claim 14, wherein one portion extends through a crown surface of the tooth.

18. A method as in claim 14, wherein one portion extends through an occlusal surface of the tooth.

19. A method as in claim 14, wherein one portion extends through an incisal surface of the tooth.

20. A method as in claim 14, further comprising adjusting the attachment device'"'"'s position, orientation and size.