Three-dimensional printed dental appliances using lattices
AssigneeuLab Systems, Inc.
InventorHuafeng Wen
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Method and apparatus for fabricating an oral appliance are described for correcting malocclusions on a dentition of a subject. A three-dimensional representation of the dentition may be captured and a free-form structure having a lattice structure which matches at least part of a surface of the dentition is generated. The lattice structure defines a plurality of open spaces such that the free-form structure is at least partially transparent. The lattice structure may then be manufactured by impregnating or covering a coating into or upon the lattice structure such that the oral appliance is formed.
Claims17
A method for fabricating an oral appliance, comprising:
- capturing a three-dimensional representation of a dentition of a subject;
- generating a free-form structure having a lattice structure via three-dimensional printing, wherein the lattice structure is based on the three-dimensional representation and is complementary to at least part of a surface of the dentition, wherein the lattice structure defines a plurality of open spaces such that the free-form structure is at least partially transparent;
- and
- manufacturing the lattice structure by impregnating or covering a coating into or upon the lattice structure such that the oral appliance is formed with one or more projections along an inner surface and extending inwardly such that one or more projections impinge upon an outer surface of one or more teeth when placed upon the dentition.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.