TACTILE OBJECTS FOR ORTHODONTICS, SYSTEMS AND METHODS

• US 20110136072A1
• Filed: 12/08/2009
• Published: 06/09/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 12/08/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Align Technology Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Align Technology Incorporated
• Inventors: Cao, Heng, Kaufhardt, Clark, Chen, Jennifer, Morton, John, Moss, Jon, Li, Chunhua
• Granted Patent: US 8,708,697 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 433/18
• 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 7/14 Brackets A61C7/28 takes precedence; Fixing brackets to teeth
• CPC Class Codes: B33Y 80/00 Products made by additive manufacturing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49568 Orthodontic device making

Abstract

Methods, systems, and apparatus'"'"'s for improving orthodontic treatments. In an embodiment, an orthodontic system including a tactile object is provided for modulating an engagement between a tooth attachment and an orthodontic appliance.

Claims

1. A system for orthodontically positioning a patient'"'"'s tooth, comprising:

a patient removable orthodontic tooth positioning appliance having teeth receiving cavities shaped to receive and apply a resilient positioning force to the patient'"'"'s teeth, at least one of the teeth receiving cavities comprising an attachment receiving well configured to engage an attachment disposed on the patient'"'"'s tooth; and

a tactile object disposed between the attachment receiving well and the attachment so as to modulate engagement between the attachment and the attachment receiving well when the orthodontic appliance is worn by the patient.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the tactile object has an elasticity or malleability greater than a corresponding elasticity or malleability of the orthodontic appliance and the attachment.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the tactile object is disposed on at least a portion of the attachment.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the tactile object is disposed on at least a portion of the attachment receiving well.

5. The system of claim 1, further comprising a base disposed in the attachment receiving well, wherein the tactile object is physically coupled to the base.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the base has an elasticity or malleability greater than a corresponding elasticity or malleability of the orthodontic appliance, the attachment, and the tactile object.

7. A system for orthodontically positioning a patient'"'"'s tooth, comprising:

a patient removable orthodontic tooth positioning appliance having teeth receiving cavities shaped to receive and apply a resilient positioning force to the patient'"'"'s teeth, where at least one of the teeth receiving cavities includes an attachment receiving well; and

an attachment for engaging the attachment receiving well, wherein the attachment or layer thereof has an elasticity or malleability greater than a corresponding elasticity or malleability of the orthodontic appliance, and wherein the attachment is larger than the attachment receiving well in at least one dimension.

8. An orthodontic positioning appliance comprising:

a patient removable orthodontic tooth positioning appliance having teeth receiving cavities shaped to receive and apply a resilient positioning force to the patient'"'"'s teeth, where at least one of the teeth receiving cavities includes an attachment receiving well for engaging an attachment disposed on the patient'"'"'s tooth; and

a tactile object coupled to the appliance and disposed proximate to the attachment receiving well so as to modulate application of force during the engagement between the attachment and the attachment receiving well when the orthodontic appliance is worn by the patient.

9. The orthodontic appliance of claim 8, wherein the tactile object has an elasticity or malleability greater than a corresponding elasticity or malleability of the attachment receiving well.

10. The orthodontic appliance of claim 9, wherein the tactile object comprises a material layer covering one or more surfaces of the attachment receiving well.

11. The orthodontic appliance of claim 9, wherein the tactile object comprises an elongated body extending from a surface of the attachment receiving well.

12. The orthodontic appliance of claim 8, further comprising a base disposed in the attachment receiving well, wherein the tactile object is physically coupled to the base.

13. The orthodontic appliance of claim 12, wherein an elasticity or malleability of the base is greater than a corresponding elasticity or malleability of the attachment receiving well and the tactile object.

14. A method for applying a tooth positioning force to the dentition of a patient, comprising:

providing a patient removable orthodontic tooth positioning appliance having teeth receiving cavities shaped to receive and apply a resilient positioning force to the patient'"'"'s teeth, where at least one of the teeth receiving cavities includes an attachment receiving well;

providing an attachment for disposal on at least one of the patient'"'"'s teeth so as to engage the attachment receiving well of the appliance; and

providing a tactile object for disposal between the attachment receiving well and the attachment so as to modulate force application during engagement between the attachment and the attachment receiving well when the orthodontic appliance is worn by the patient.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the tactile object has an elasticity or malleability greater than a corresponding elasticity or malleability of the orthodontic appliance and the attachment.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein the tactile object is disposed on at least a portion of the attachment.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein the tactile object is disposed on at least a portion of the attachment receiving well.

18. The method of claim 14, further comprising forming a base in the attachment receiving well, wherein the tactile object is physically coupled to the base.

19. A method for manufacturing an orthodontic appliance, comprising:

generating a patient removable orthodontic tooth positioning appliance, or digital model thereof, having teeth receiving cavities shaped to receive and apply a resilient positioning force to the patient'"'"'s teeth, where at least one of the teeth receiving cavities includes an attachment receiving well; and

providing a tactile object for disposal between the well and attachment when disposed on the patient'"'"'s tooth, or proximate to the attachment receiving well, for modulating force application during engagement between the attachment and the attachment receiving well when the orthodontic appliance is worn by the patient.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the attachment has an elasticity or malleability greater than a corresponding elasticity or malleability of the orthodontic appliance.

21. The method of claim 19, further comprising disposing a base in the attachment receiving well, wherein the tactile object is physically coupled to the base.