Method and system for incrementally moving teeth

• US 6,699,037 B2
• Filed: 02/21/2001
• Issued: 03/02/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 06/20/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Align Technology Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Align Technology Incorporated
• Inventors: Wirth, Kelsey, Chishti, Muhammad
• Primary Examiner(s): Wilson, John J.
• Application Number:
  US09/791,650
• Publication Number:
  US 20010009753A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,105 Days
• Field of Search: 433/24, 433/8, 433/20
• US Class Current: 433/24
• 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 method for fabricating a plurality of dental incremental position adjustment appliances, said method comprising:

providing at the outset of treatment a plurality of digital data sets representing a plurality of successive tooth arrangements progressing from an initial tooth arrangement to a final tooth arrangement for an individual patient; and

controlling a fabrication machine based on individual ones of the digital data sets to produce the plurality of appliances for the individual patient.

2. A method as in claim 1, wherein providing the digital data comprises providing a plurality of digital data sets, wherein each set represents one of the successive tooth arrangements.

3. A method as in claim 2, wherein controlling the fabrication machine comprises:

providing a volume of non-hardened polymeric resin; and

selectively hardening the resin in a shape corresponding to each of the appliances.

4. A method as in claim 3, wherein hardening comprises scanning a laser to selectively harden the resin.

5. A method as in claim 3, wherein scanning produces an appliance comprising a thin polymeric shell.

6. A method as in claim 1, wherein controlling the fabrication machine comprises:

providing a volume of non-hardened polymeric resin; and

selectively hardening the resin in a shape corresponding to each of the appliances.

7. A method as in claim 6, wherein selectively hardening comprises scanning a laser to selectively harden the resin.

8. A method as in claim 6, wherein scanning produces an appliance comprising a thin polymeric shell.

9. A method for fabricating a plurality of dental incremental position adjustment appliances, said method comprising:

providing at the outset of treatment a plurality of digital data sets representing a plurality of successive tooth arrangements progressing from an initial tooth arrangement to a final tooth arrangement; and

controlling a fabrication machine based on individual ones of the digital data sets to produce the plurality of appliances.

10. A method as in claim 9, wherein providing the digital data comprises providing a plurality of digital data sets, wherein each set represents one of the successive tooth arrangements.

11. A method as in claim 10, wherein controlling the fabrication machine comprises:

providing a volume of non-hardened polymeric resin; and

selectively hardening the resin in a shape corresponding to each of the appliances.

12. A method as in claim 11, wherein hardening comprises scanning a laser to selectively harden the resin.

13. A method as in claim 11, wherein scanning produces an appliance comprising a thin polymeric shell.

14. A method as in claim 9, wherein controlling the fabrication machine comprises:

providing a volume of non-hardened polymeric resin; and

selectively hardening the resin in a shape corresponding to each of the polymeric shell appliances.

15. A method as in claim 14, wherein selectively hardening comprises scanning a laser to selectively harden the resin.

16. A method as in claim 14, wherein scanning produces an appliance comprising a thin polymeric shell.

17. A method for fabricating a plurality of dental incremental position adjustment appliances, said method comprising:

providing digital data representing a plurality of successive tooth arrangements progressing from an initial tooth arrangement to a final tooth arrangement; and

controlling a fabrication machine based on the digital data to produce the appliances wherein controlling the fabrication machine comprises;

providing a volume of non-hardened polymeric resin; and

selectively hardening the resin in a shape corresponding to each of the polymeric shell appliances.

18. A method as in claim 17, wherein providing the digital data comprises providing a plurality of digital data sets, wherein each set represents one of the successive tooth arrangements.

19. A method as in claim 17, wherein the fabrication machine is controlled to produce polymeric shell appliances.

20. A method as in claim 17, wherein selectively hardening comprises scanning a laser to selectively harden the resin.

21. A method as in claim 20, wherein scanning produces an appliance comprising a thin polymeric shell.