# US 11,298,211 B2 · Variable direction tooth attachments > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,298,211 B2 - Document ID: US11298211B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/031,822 - Filed: 2018-07-10 - Published: 2018-11-08 - Granted: 2022-04-12 - Earliest claimed: 2016-02-17 - Assignees: Align Technology, Inc. - Applicants: Align Technology, Inc. - Inventors: Allen Boronkay; Tzishing Jesse Lim - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11298211B2 ## CPC - 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)} - A61C 7/002: {Orthodontic computer assisted systems} - A61C 7/14: Brackets (A61C7/28 takes precedence); Fixing brackets to teeth - A61C: DENTISTRY; APPARATUS OR METHODS FOR ORAL OR DENTAL HYGIENE (non-driven toothbrushes A46B; {tongue scrapers A61B17/24;} preparations for dentistry A61K6/00; preparations for cleaning the teeth or mouth A61K8/00, A61Q11/00) ## Abstract Tooth attachments are provided comprising one or more convex surfaces for engagement by a surface of an orthodontic appliance. Polymeric shell appliances are provided in which the polymeric shell appliances are configured to provide one or more activation forces to facilitate tooth movement. The polymeric shell appliances may comprise one or more tooth receiving cavities. The polymeric shell appliances may further comprise an engagement portion with a surface configured to engage a convex attachment surface in order to apply a tooth moving force. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A computer-implemented method for digitally planning treatment of a patient's teeth, the method comprising: identifying a treatment plan for a patient's dentition to move one or more teeth of the patient's dentition from a starting position toward a desired target position along a movement path; determining one or more forces to move the one or more teeth in the patient's dentition in accordance with at least a portion of the movement path; determining one or more geometries of one or more convex attachment devices that, in combination with corresponding engagement portions of one or more inner surfaces of a plurality of dental appliances, implement at least a portion of the one or more forces, the one or more convex attachment devices comprising one or more convex surfaces to engage the corresponding engagement portions of the one or more inner surfaces of the plurality of dental appliances, wherein a shape of the one or more convex attachment devices is characterized by a portion of a cylinder having a radius of curvature; and providing instructions to display a virtual representation of the one or more convex attachment devices on a virtual model of the patient's dentition. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of the one or more convex attachment devices comprises a single convex surface. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The method of claim 2, wherein the single convex surface comprises a spherical, ellipsoidal, or cylindrical surface profile. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein each of the corresponding engagement portions comprises a planar surface, and the repositioning force applied by each of the corresponding engagement portions is oriented along a direction substantially normal to the planar surface. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The method of claim 4, wherein the planar surfaces of the at least some of the plurality of dental appliances are each arranged at a different orientation relative to the corresponding convex surface. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising calculating one or more forces or moments to move the one or more teeth along the movement path. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the movement path comprises a non-linear movement trajectory. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the movement path is configured to produce round-tripping of the tooth. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein each of the corresponding engagement portions is positioned so as to contact the one or more convex surfaces at a single location. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of dental appliances comprises a plurality of engagement portions positioned to contact the one or more convex surfaces at a plurality of different locations. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more convex attachment devices further comprise a non-contacting surface that does not engage the plurality of dental appliances. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising displaying the virtual representation of the one or more convex attachment devices on the virtual model of the patient's dentition. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising providing instructions to fabricate the one or more convex attachment devices. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising providing instructions to fabricate the one or dental appliances. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising providing modifying the treatment plan to implement the one or more convex attachment devices. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein determining the one or more geometries of the one or more convex attachment devices comprises determining a surface profile used to form the one or more convex surfaces. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein: determining the one or more geometries of the one or more convex attachment devices comprises determining a surface profile used to form the one or more convex surfaces; and the surface profile comprises a shape based on a set of pre-defined surfaces. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein: determining the one or more geometries of the one or more convex attachment devices comprises determining a surface profile used to form the one or more convex surfaces; and the surface profile comprises a spherical surface profile, an ellipsoidal surface profile, a cylindrical surface profile, or some combination thereof. ### Claim 19 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein: determining the one or more geometries of the one or more convex attachment devices comprises determining a surface profile used to form the one or more convex surfaces; and the surface profile is based on a shape with a custom design. ### Claim 20 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein determining the one or more geometries of the one or more convex attachment devices comprises determining the one or more shapes of the one or more convex surfaces. ### Claim 21 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein determining the one or more geometries of the one or more convex attachment devices comprises determining the one or more positions of the one or more attachment devices, one or more orientations of the one or more attachment devices, or some combination thereof.