Method and system for incrementally moving teeth

• US 20010006770A1
• Filed: 02/21/2001
• Published: 07/05/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 06/20/1997
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Align Technology Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Align Technology Incorporated
• Inventors: Chishti, Muhammad, Wirth, Kelsey
• Granted Patent: US 6,629,840 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• 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 of fabricating a plurality of dental incremental position adjustment appliances, said method comprising:

providing a plurality of positive models of successive tooth arrangements, wherein each successive arrangement represents a stage progressing from an initial tooth arrangement to an intermediate or a final tooth arrangement; and

fabricating the plurality of dental appliances as negatives of the positive models.

2. A method as in

claim 1

, wherein providing said positive models comprises:

providing digital data representing said plurality of successive tooth arrangements; and

controlling a fabrication machine to produce said plurality of positive models of successive tooth arrangements.

3. A method as in

claim 2

, wherein providing digital data comprises producing a plurality of digital data sets, wherein each set represents one of the successive tooth arrangements.

4. A method as in

claim 2

, wherein controlling the fabrication machine comprises:

providing a volume of non-hardened polymeric resin; and

scanning a laser to selectively harden the resin in a shape corresponding to each of the positive models.

5. A method as in

claim 3

, wherein controlling the fabrication machine comprises:

providing a volume of non-hardened polymeric resin; and

scanning a laser to selectively harden the resin in a shape corresponding to each of the positive models.

6. A method as in

claim 1

, wherein producing the dental appliances comprises molding a thin polymeric sheet over each of the positive models to produce a plurality of thin polymeric shells.

7. A method of fabricating one or more dental incremental position adjustment appliances, comprising:

providing a computer generated positive model of at least one tooth arrangement selected from an initial tooth arrangement, an intermediate tooth arrangement, and final tooth arrangement; and

fabricating at least one dental appliance as a negative of the computer generated positive model.

8. A method as in

claim 7

, wherein providing said at least one positive model comprises:

providing digital data representing at least one tooth arrangement; and

controlling a fabrication machine to produce said at least one positive model of a tooth arrangement.

9. A method as in

claim 8

, wherein providing digital data comprises producing a plurality of digital data sets, wherein each set represents one of a plurality of successive tooth arrangements.

10. A method as in

claim 8

, wherein controlling the fabrication machine comprises:

providing a volume of non-hardened polymeric resin; and

scanning a laser to selectively harden the resin in a shape corresponding to each of the positive models.

11. A method as in

claim 9

, wherein controlling the fabrication machine comprises:

providing a volume of non-hardened polymeric resin; and

scanning a laser to selectively harden the resin in a shape corresponding to each of the positive models.

12. A method as in

claim 7

, wherein fabricating the at least one dental appliance comprises molding a thin polymeric sheet over said at least one positive model to produce at least one thin polymeric shells.