Arch expander
First Claim
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1. A method for making a custom-fit palatal arch expander for a patient, the method comprising:
- acquiring at least one digital scan representing at least a portion of upper teeth and a palate of the patient;
fabricating a first portion of the custom-fit palatal arch expander the first portion having a plurality of cavities for receiving posterior teeth on one side of the palate and a palatal portion extending toward a centerline of the palate;
fabricating a second portion of the arch expander the second portion having a plurality of cavities for receiving posterior teeth on an opposite side of the palate and a palatal portion extending toward the centerline of the palate; and
coupling an expansion member between the first and second portions, wherein each of the plurality of cavities is specifically configured to fit over one of the posterior teeth of the patient based on the shapes of the posterior teeth as represented in the digital scan(s).
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Abstract
Systems and methods are disclosed for making an arch expander for a patient by scanning the patient'"'"'s dentition; fabricating an appliance adapted to be positioned between posterior teeth and a palatal arch, the appliance having first and second movable portions; and providing an expander between the first and second portions of the appliance.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. A method for making a custom-fit palatal arch expander for a patient, the method comprising:
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acquiring at least one digital scan representing at least a portion of upper teeth and a palate of the patient;
fabricating a first portion of the custom-fit palatal arch expander the first portion having a plurality of cavities for receiving posterior teeth on one side of the palate and a palatal portion extending toward a centerline of the palate;
fabricating a second portion of the arch expander the second portion having a plurality of cavities for receiving posterior teeth on an opposite side of the palate and a palatal portion extending toward the centerline of the palate; and
coupling an expansion member between the first and second portions, wherein each of the plurality of cavities is specifically configured to fit over one of the posterior teeth of the patient based on the shapes of the posterior teeth as represented in the digital scan(s). - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. -10. (canceled)
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11. A custom-fit dental appliance for expanding a palatal arch of a patient, the appliance comprising:
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a first portion having a plurality of cavities for receiving posterior teeth on one side of the patient'"'"'s palate and a palatal portion extending toward a centerline of the palate;
a second portion having a plurality of cavities for receiving posterior teeth on an opposite side of the patient'"'"'s palate and a palatal portion extending toward the centerline of the palate, wherein the first and second portions each include at least one layer of a polymeric material; and
an expander coupled between the first and second portions, wherein each of the plurality of cavities is specifically configured to fit over one of the posterior teeth of the patient based on the shapes of the posterior teeth as represented in at least one digital scan(s) of at least some of the patient'"'"'s teeth and the patient'"'"'s palate. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 20, 21)
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19. (canceled)
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22. A method for expanding a palatal arch of a patient, the method comprising:
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acquiring at least one digital scan representing at least a portion of upper teeth and a palate of the patient;
fabricating, based on the scan(s), a custom-fit arch expander for the patient, the arch expander comprising;
a first portion having a plurality of cavities for receiving posterior teeth on one side of the palate and a palatal portion extending toward a centerline of the palate;
a second portion having a plurality of cavities for receiving posterior teeth on an opposite side of the palate and a palatal portion extending toward the centerline of the palate; and
coupling an expansion member between the first and second portions, wherein each of the plurality of cavities is specifically configured to fit over one of the posterior teeth of the patient, based on the shapes of the posterior teeth as represented in the digital scan(s); and
placing the arch expanded in the patient'"'"'s mouth to expand the patient'"'"'s palatal arch.
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Specification