# US 12,178,678 B2 · Method and a system usable in creating a subsequent dental appliance > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,178,678 B2 - Document ID: US12178678B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/874,160 - Filed: 2022-07-26 - Published: 2023-05-25 - Granted: 2024-12-31 - Earliest claimed: 2012-09-06 - Assignees: Align Technology, Inc. - Applicants: Align Technology, Inc. - Inventors: Eric Kuo - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12178678B2 ## CPC - A61C 7/002: {Orthodontic computer assisted systems} - A61C 9/0046: {Data acquisition means or methods} - 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 - A61C 7/008: {using vibrating means} - A61C 7/146: {Positioning or placement of brackets; Tools therefor} - A61C 7/20: Arch wires (A61C7/28 takes precedence) - F04C 2270/041: Controlled or regulated - 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) - F04C: ROTARY-PISTON, OR OSCILLATING-PISTON, POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS (engines F03C); ROTARY-PISTON, OR OSCILLATING-PISTON, POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT PUMPS ## Abstract A current digital dental model is received that includes a representation of the set of physical teeth for the patient with the current dental appliance attached to the physical teeth or oral cavity. The current digital dental model is a direct digital scan of the set of physical teeth and the current dental appliance. The physical teeth are at a position in treatment when all or a part of the current dental appliance is desired to be removed from one or more of the set of physical teeth and it is desired to use a subsequent appliance. The current digital dental model is created based a new digital dental model that includes the representation of the set of physical teeth without including the current dental appliance. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method for designing a subsequent dental appliance comprising: superimposing a first digital model on a second digital model, wherein the first digital model represents a patient's teeth with a current dental appliance attached to the patient's teeth, and wherein the second digital model represents at least a portion of the current dental appliance; determining a superimposed portion of the first digital model relative to the second digital model based on the superimposing; generating a new digital tooth model by removing the superimposed portion from the first digital model; adjusting the new digital tooth model by moving the positions of one or more representations of the patient's teeth to target tooth positions; and designing the subsequent dental appliance based on the new digital tooth model, wherein the subsequent dental appliance is designed to move the patient's teeth toward the target tooth positions. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the second digital model represents the entire current dental appliance. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising generating instructions for fabrication of the subsequent dental appliance. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The method of claim 3, further comprises fabricating the subsequent dental appliance using a rapid-prototyping machine. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the first digital model is created using a direct digital scan of the patient's teeth with the current dental appliance attached to one or more of the patient's teeth. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein generating the new digital tooth model involves a computer automated process. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the new digital tooth model includes a portion of the patient's gingiva. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising simulating one or more changes in the patient's gingiva. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving an image of the current dental appliance when not attached to the patient's teeth and using the image to generate the second digital model. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving an image of a dental appliance that is the same or similar type of dental appliance as the current dental appliance and using the image to generate the second digital model. ### Claim 11 A non-transitory computing device readable medium storing instructions executable by a processor to cause a computing device to perform a method for designing a subsequent dental appliance, the method comprising: superimposing a first digital model on a second digital model, wherein the first digital model represents a patient's teeth with a current dental appliance attached to the patient's teeth, and wherein the second digital model represents at least a portion of the current dental appliance; determining a superimposed portion of the first digital model relative to the second digital model based on the superimposing; generating a new digital tooth model by removing the superimposed portion from the first digital model; adjusting the new digital tooth model by moving the positions of one or more representations of the patient's teeth to target tooth positions; and designing the subsequent dental appliance based on the new digital tooth model, wherein the subsequent dental appliance is designed to move the patient's teeth toward the target tooth positions. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The non-transitory computing device readable medium of claim 11, wherein the second digital model represents the entire current dental appliance. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The non-transitory computing device readable medium of claim 11, wherein the performed method further comprises the step of generating instructions for fabrication of the subsequent dental appliance. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The non-transitory computing device readable medium of claim 13, wherein the performed method further comprises fabricating the subsequent dental appliance using a rapid-prototyping machine. ### Claim 15 (depends on 11) The non-transitory computing device readable medium of claim 11, wherein the first digital model is created using a direct digital scan of the patient's teeth with the current dental appliance attached to one or more of the patient's teeth. ### Claim 16 (depends on 11) The non-transitory computing device readable medium of claim 11, wherein generating the new digital tooth model involves a computer automated process. ### Claim 17 (depends on 11) The non-transitory computing device readable medium of claim 11, wherein the new digital tooth model includes a portion of the patient's gingiva. ### Claim 18 (depends on 11) The non-transitory computing device readable medium of claim 11, wherein the performed method further comprises simulating one or more changes in the patient's gingiva. ### Claim 19 (depends on 11) The non-transitory computing device readable medium of claim 11, wherein the performed method further comprises receiving an image of the current dental appliance when not attached to the patient's teeth and using the image to generate the second digital model. ### Claim 20 (depends on 11) The non-transitory computing device readable medium of claim 11, wherein the performed method further comprises receiving an image of a dental appliance that is the same or similar type of dental appliance as the current dental appliance and using the image to generate the second digital model.